On Saturday evening a parcel delivery service dropped off a package from Amazon.co.jp.
Here's what was inside the parcel:
A pair of bottle green Converse sneakers with side zippers.
This is at least my tenth pair of Converse All Star sneakers, but my first with side zippers.
Why Side Zippers?
I chose the side zippers in the hope that they will make life easier when I have to remove my shoes before entering a tatami-floored room or some other hallowed space here in Japan.
What I am wondering though, is whether the zippers will shorten the life of the shoes as they probably weaken the side and add more stress points...
I already have three usable pairs of Converse All Star sneakers, a battered orange pair, a red pair that's held up well, and a light blue pair that's been my go-to pair for daily wear for the last few months.
Defining, Simplifying - & Improving - My Clothing Choices
Over the last few years - well, more like decade and a half actually - I have simplified, clearly defined, and improved my clothing choices. In doing so I save myself a lot of time, effort, and stress, and I end up better dressed than I ever used to be. (That is not saying much!)
When it comes to the essentials (for life in Japan), I know which brands to buy and where to get them. It saves me a huge amount of time, effort and stress and consists of four "Ds": Define, Decide, Deliver, Done!
Since this blog post began with shoes, I'll start there and take you through my system:
Shoes
Check Amazon.co.jp for size 29 Converse sneakers. That immediately narrows down the range of options to about three colours and a couple of style choices. Choose one of them. Hit the buy button and await delivery in the next 24-28 hours.
Total time spent buying shoes? 5-15 minutes once or twice a year.
Socks
There are no good sock choices that I know of in Japan for me. So I buy Pringle socks in bulk from sockshop.co.uk - just £4.99 delivery to Japan.
Total time spent buying socks? 5-15 minutes once every couple of years.
Pants
He he, just to translate for my American friends. I'm talking about what is worn UNDER a chap's trousers so as to keep his equipment snugly in place.
Back to Amazon.co.jp for a delivery of medium-sized "Body Wild" pants, which are super comfortable.
Total time spent buying Body Wild pants? 5 minutes.
Trousers
Ahem, that's right, I am referring to the garment that serves to cover a fellow's lower limbs, nether regions, along with his pants and shirt tails.
The procurement of these items requires a trip to Uniqlo, where I can easily find well made, reasonably priced, items in my size.
Belts
Uniqlo also stock a good range of well made and reasonably priced leather belts.
T-Shirts
While in Uniqlo, I also stock up on plain coloured t-shirts.
However, I have recently discovered that Lawsons sell the Body Wild brand of t-shirts in black or white, so that is a convenient alternative.
Shirts
Here in Japan there is a shirt company called Brick House which make good quality off the peg shirts in my size (M88 if you are wondering what to get me).
There happens to be a Brick House store right next to the Uniqlo that I usually shop at.
Defining My Style Speeds Up My Process
Those are the essentials that keep me half decently attired for most of the year in Japan.
Because I have defined what my needs are for each item, it is easy to decide on a specific garment and "deliver" on that decision with the utmost celerity so that clothes shopping is a task that can be successfully "done" in the swiftest and most efficient and satisfying way possible.
How do you go about purchasing clothes? Are you like me, or do you enjoy browsing for clothes for hours on end?
Cheers!
David Hurley