Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature, where we curate the trends, insights and practical advice designed to help you live well and start the year on the right foot.
In this instalment, we’ve handpicked 10 essential talking points, spanning everything from the latest fashion drops worth adding to your wardrobe to new technology, grooming upgrades and entertainment releases shaping the month ahead. Whether you’re planning a considered style refresh, looking to fine-tune your routine, or simply want to know what’s genuinely worth your attention right now, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s explore how to make January your most stylish, successful and satisfying month yet.
Samsung Micro RGB TV
Samsung is taking television very seriously heading into 2026, with an expanded Micro RGB TV lineup that signals a renewed push at the premium end of the market. Building on its next-generation Micro RGB display technology, the new range promises richer colour accuracy, deeper contrast, and noticeably improved clarity across a broad roster of screen sizes — from a living-room-friendly 55 inches to a statement-making 115 inches.
Micro RGB technology enables more precise colour control at the pixel level, resulting in more lifelike tones and cleaner highlights, particularly in darker scenes. Beyond picture quality, Samsung has also focused on the wider viewing experience, with enhanced spatial audio, glare-free screen technology designed for brighter rooms, and an upgraded AI companion that adapts picture and sound settings in real time based on content and environment.
It’s a clear signal that Samsung sees the future of TV not just as bigger screens, but also smarter, more immersive ones.
Industry Series 4
HBO’s finance-world comedy drama Industry has quietly become one of the most compelling shows on television, so it’s no surprise we’re pleased to see it return for a fourth series. Often likened to The Wolf of Wall Street crossed with Channel 4’s Skins — but with far sharper writing and far less glamour — the show thrives on its ability to make high finance feel both absurd and terrifyingly human.
No other series captures the heady mix of ambition, insecurity and moral compromise quite as well. It balances dark humour with genuine anxiety, charting cycles of self-destruction, excess and ego against the backdrop of modern capitalism, where success is fleeting and failure is brutal.
As the characters mature (or unravel), the stakes feel higher, the power dynamics sharper, and the satire even more biting.
Available on BBC iPlayer from 12 January.
Rocky. The Complete Films
2026 is the year to halt the infinite scroll. No more pixelated slop. It’s time to refamiliarise yourself with the tactile joy of the printed word and image. Taschen’s heavyweight Rocky. The Complete Films is exactly the kind of coffee-table tome that earns its space: a deep dive into the archives of cinema’s most beloved boxing franchise, packed with behind-the-scenes imagery and proper, frame-by-frame craft.
It’s welcome creative inspiration, but it’s also excellent spit-and-sawdust motivation. The kind that makes you want to dig out the heavy cotton tracksuit, crank the training montage and run up some steps (preferably with dramatic purpose). Consider it the rare gift that looks great on a shelf and gets you off the sofa.
CES 2026
It’s that time of year again. CES – the world’s biggest consumer tech show – has returned to Las Vegas (6–9 January), serving as a crystal-ball preview of what we’ll all be buying, wearing and arguing about by the end of the year. Alongside the aforementioned Samsung Micro RGB line-up, expect a big showing for robotics, smart home oddities and the inevitable deluge of AI-boosted everything, from TVs and laptops to tools you didn’t realise needed “an AI companion”.
CES always sets the tone for the year’s tech conversation, and 2026 looks no different. The conference programme is heavily geared towards AI, robotics, vehicle tech and wearables, while the keynote slate is stacked with heavy hitters across industry. Notably, AMD Chair and CEO Dr Lisa Su is delivering an AMD keynote at CES, with the company using the show to outline its vision for next-gen computing – which, in 2026, basically means more power, more efficiency and more AI everywhere you look.
Oulu, Finland
Of the two European Capitals of Culture for 2026 — Trenčín in Slovakia being the other — it’s Oulu that has captured our imagination. Often referred to as the capital of Northern Finland, the city is known for its exceptionally clean air, proximity to nature and quietly confident cultural scene. Just over an hour’s flight from Helsinki, it combines small-city charm with serious ambition.
Oulu is also a thriving technology hub, sitting at the forefront of global research into next-generation connectivity, including 6G development. In 2026, its European Capital of Culture programme centres on the idea of “cultural climate change”, exploring how creativity, community and innovation respond to shifting social and environmental conditions. Expect a year-long calendar of exhibitions, performances and events spotlighting Finnish artists alongside collaborators from across Europe — all set against a striking northern backdrop.
Ralph Lauren Home Garrett Cocktail Shaker
Last year we made it our mission to highlight the spirits worth earning a place in your drinks cabinet. This year, we’re starting at the other end of the bar — with what to use to shake them all up. Enter the Ralph Lauren Home Garrett cocktail shaker, a handsome, vintage-inspired piece that brings a sense of old-world polish to at-home mixology.
Crafted in stainless steel and paired with a moisture-wicking canvas and leather holder, it’s as practical as it is decorative. Whether displayed proudly on a bar cart or pulled out for weekend cocktails, it’s the sort of accessory that quietly elevates the whole ritual — and makes even a simple martini feel like an occasion.
Charvet Belted Silk Print Robe
A Charvet silk print robe is as much a personal manifesto as it is a garment. Defined by its tasselled belt tie and refined geometric pattern — inspired by the Parisian house’s legendary neckties — it’s a masterclass in quiet luxury and considered indulgence.
Crafted from 100% pure silk, this is a commitment to lounging properly and looking good from the moment you wake. The kind of piece that sets the tone for a slower, more intentional start to the day. Best enjoyed with a good book, a favourite reading chair and a carefully made cup of coffee.
Kaptain Sunshine Walker Coat
Big coats are always the best coats. And if you’ve still not invested in one, there’s really no excuse this year. Japanese label Kaptain Sunshine has quietly become a favourite for its ability to rework military uniforms and vintage workwear through a distinctly modern lens — relaxed, considered and built to last.
The Walker Coat is a perfect example of that approach. Cut with an elegant A-line silhouette, it’s made from high-density British Bluefaced wool, prized for its softness, durability and natural warmth.
Available in classic brown or navy, it’s substantial without feeling heavy, and designed to layer easily over tailoring or knitwear. The kind of coat that improves an outfit the moment you throw it on — and earns its keep all winter long.
NN07 Russel 60012 Alpaca Blend Cardigan
Honestly, you can’t beat a statement cardigan. One of the few genuine joys of winter is the chance to lean into substantial knitwear, and NN07’s Russel alpaca V-neck ticks every box. Made from an ultra-soft alpaca blend, it delivers warmth without weight and has that satisfyingly tactile, slightly hairy texture that feels both relaxed and intentional.
Finished with soft-shell buttons and contrast-stitch detailing at the hem, it’s the kind of knit that does the heavy lifting for you. Layer it over a tee, shirt or roll neck and you’re good to go — a confident, cosy piece that earns its place as temperatures remain firmly rooted around zero.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope
2026 is the year of looking up. The year of hobbyism, getting outside and reminding yourself what it is to be human — and few things are more humbling than the sheer scale of the night sky. With a little extra cash saved thanks to Dry January, now feels like the perfect moment to invest in a piece of kit that encourages slower, more curious evenings.
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is a solid, beginner-friendly refractor telescope that’s easy to set up and reassuringly well made. Designed for casual stargazing, it offers clear views of the Moon, planets and brighter deep-sky objects, making it an ideal starting point for anyone looking to turn curiosity into a proper pastime.
