Everything I Bought in Japan

And how to shop mindfully

Despite making a concerted effort to buy less these days, I love shopping when I travel. As I’ve pared down my closet and decluttered my home, what has remained are the things I bought overseas. I love the sentimentality of owning clothes with memories attached and the intention of choosing something reminiscent of a place I love.

Because it’s easy to get carried away while shopping on vacation and in general, I have developed a set of rules for myself that I hope you’ll find helpful. It takes a lot of restraint not to return from a trip with an extra suitcase full of things you bought in feverish excitement. I’m speaking from personal experience.

Read on for everything I bought in Japan and some tips on mindful shopping.

What I bought in Japan

1) White Cardigan from the Ambihanako pop-up in Daikan-Yama (my favorite neighborhood to shop in Tokyo!)

2) White corduroy pants from Pivoine

3) Ribbed cotton leggings from Pivoine

4) Distressed sweatshirt from Freak

5) Sweatpants from Uniqlo

6) Porcelain-painted sink covers from the Modoka no Mori Hotel in Hakone

Shopping Tips

1) Keep a running list of things you need/want to buy

Whenever I notice a gap in my wardrobe or find something I like, I save it in a shopping list note on my phone. I frequently edit this note to delete items that I don’t need. This process has helped me slow down and be more mindful about impulse shopping. It also helps when I travel because I don’t buy anything if it’s not on my list.

2) Have quality standards and stick to them

In the past few years, I have purged my closet of items made with plastic. This choice is not for everyone, but I’ve found that organic materials feel better on my skin and tend to last longer. Maintaining this standard for my wardrobe helps me be intentional when I shop. I recommend making a list of your quality standards and shopping values to reference as needed.

3) If it feels stressful, skip it

That feverish excitement I referenced above has led me to make a lot of purchases I regret. If I feel a sense of panic around finding something, it’s best to let it go and walk away. Black Friday triggers the same response for me, I always feel like I’m missing out on the deals even if I don’t want anything that’s for sale. Ultimately, I would much rather sleep on it and pay full price for something I know I want than buy something on sale that I don’t end up liking.

Thanks for reading!