The Trench

Ooh, the Trench! Possibly the only clothing item that has remained fashionable since it became a wardrobe essential over 100 years ago! And while the design or even materials have changed very little over that time, it has really evolved from something only a selected few [white men] wore, to a truly universal piece of clothing, worn by people of all ages all over the world. 

While the Burberry trench remains the original (even if some may argue that Aquascutum got there first), nowadays we're not limited to that design, and most of all, we're not limited to the price-tag. There are many affordable options out there, either for the more traditional design or for different takes on it.

With so much to choose from, there are a few things you may want to consider to help you narrow your options down. These are the things I've found helpful when picking up a trench and I hope they help you too if you're on the lookout.

Happy New Year!

One thing that stood out for me towards the end of 2015 was a greater ability to find balance between planning / dreaming and being present in the moment. 

I have always been a big dreamer with a very well exercised ability to escape into my imagination and spend copious amounts of time in the past or future. But life is better enjoyed in the present.

I should know this, I have a PhD on it! But it always seems easier to do so when we're away from our day-to-day routines - a chilled glass of Pinot Rosé overlooking miles of vineyards or a cocktail by the beach are not the only reason we look forward to a holiday break!

However, the more I thought about how I wanted life to be the more interested I became in enjoying the everyday moments and familiar places. After all, this is where I spend the majority of my time.

But I have never been very good at doing so. Being content at home on the weekends, getting dressed for work every morning, finding the most suitable skincare with minimal chemicals, walking to work, looking at the city from the office window and being grateful for being in such a secure place...all of these were things that I previously either ignored, didn't really take time to appreciate or took for granted.

It may sound a bit of a far-fetched connection for those less familiar with how we accumulate psychological capital from our experiences, but focusing on being a more mindful consumer in 2015 has had an irreversibly positive effect in how I live my everyday life.

Taking time to approach my style and purchases in a thoughtful way requires the kind of dedicated attention that is not fast nor effortless. It demands focus and full engagement with the task at hand. Slowing down is a requirement. Imagination is necessary along the way but only to help create reality, not escape from it.

As I practiced these behaviours in relation to my wardrobe, I noticed their influence on how I approached other matters.

For instance, at some point, I became aware that I could exercise the same thoughtfulness in relation to the content I provide on Instagram. The Fewer, Better attitude that I approached my clothes translated to a challenging, yet enjoyable activity that encourages me to explore ways to do better every time. And in the process, I found myself a creative outlet that has brought me a greater appreciation for my everyday surroundings.

Going forward, I have big plans to maintain these habits and let them continue to take hold of how I approach life in general.

May 2016 be the year when being a mindful consumer means going well beyond deciding what my wardrobe looks like.

What are your plans / dreams for the new year?

The Mindful Gift Guide - 2015

Like in previous years, I'm sharing with you my annual gift guide. However, through 2015, I've become more serious about not letting myself be caught in consumer traps and the holiday season is the biggest of them all. This has been an evolving theme in my personal life and, you will know this by now, on the blog. 

I considered not even mentioning gifts at all on the blog this year. How could I make suggestions of things to buy while simultaneously encouraging you to buy less? There are already plenty of bloggers out there encouraging you to go on that holiday shopping spree and cross off all those names on your list!

But then I thought that this is actually a really good opportunity to promote, once again, an alternative consumer mindset, that is not just about buying less but also about buying better.

So, instead of a neat list of shiny objects to choose from, I'm bringing you a guide for mindful gifting this holiday season and beyond.  

Taking Stock

When I have attacks of mindless consumerism, I find it is a good idea to step away from all the pretty coats distractions and take stock – what are my real wardrobe needs at the moment?

Curbing my Enthusiasm

Part of the challenge to be a mindful consumer is to buy fewer things. This is no small challenge as I'm sure you all know how difficult it is to resist purchasing stuff, no matter what your budget is. 

In my own attempts to manage my impulses to buy, I have found helpful to ask myself a few questions first.

On Basics

With time, I have learned to appreciate that basics may not be the same for everyone. In fact, for many years, I struggled to fit some commonly advertised basics into my wardrobe, even when it just didn't feel right.