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What is your oldest piece of clothing?

(65 Posts)
ninathenana Thu 16-May-13 11:15:48

I have a T-shirt which I class as house wear. Hanging it on line earlier I was shocked to realize it's. 10 years old It was bought in USA and still in good condition despite regular wear.

Should I blush

apricot Thu 31-Oct-13 17:30:39

A christening gown, made by my mother 73 years ago and used for all the babies since except my mother's first, which was twins.

salamander35 Thu 31-Oct-13 16:43:33

My black wedding dress from Monsoon from 1978 - can't get into it now! and a crepe and satin beautiful green Ossie Clark button through dress that is SO small I wonder how I ever wore it in 1968!
Very evocative..

Stansgran Thu 31-Oct-13 12:58:34

A friend gave me a silk scarf by Lanvin in 1967 which started me off on only having scarves with hand rolled edges. I have one that one of my brother's wives gave my mother 39 years ago and I can still smell her perfume when I wear it.one of my brother's other wives asked for it when mother died but I couldn't find it and when I had sorted out her personal belongings he was divorced again.

gratefulgran54 Thu 31-Oct-13 10:47:08

I have a red jumper that my (ex) in'laws got me for Xmas about 25 years ago. It is very baggy and long now, but is worn on a regular basis for chilly nights curled up on the sofa...the ultimate 'sloppy joe'!
I also have a black wool cocktail dress with scooped fur neck that was my mothers, as well as her beaver lamb fur coat. The dress I haven't been able to get into for many a year, but I do sometimes wear the coat around the house because it is so warm and comfy, and it smells of Mum! It's full-length and silk-lined. Certainly not something I would ever buy or wear normally, but it was Mums and I can't part with it.
They are both around 75 years old and in perfect condition.

Agus Thu 31-Oct-13 10:22:46

My 1970's off white (didn't qualify for a white onegrin) Biba wedding dress which I eventually embroidered our names and date on a piece of it and framed it. A couple of my Mum's head squares which I spray with her favourite perfume from time to time. Just to smell her.

Mishap Thu 31-Oct-13 10:04:30

My oldest piece of clothing has just gone to the charity shop - I realised as I sorted through that I had so many very old items in very small sizes, so I took the decision to have a clear out. I can actually see into my wardrobe now! British Heart Foundation kindly came and collected it all.

gracesmum Thu 31-Oct-13 09:54:28

There's are some seriously vintage pieces here - does having one's wedding dress (in the loft) count? Or is it garments that you could actually wear? I regret throwing out lots of things which I thought (wrongly) at the time I would never want to wear again, but then again, they would be a bit of a tight fit!! I do still have my "going away" handbag from 43 years ago however.

janthea Thu 31-Oct-13 09:52:27

My wedding dress!!

suliza Thu 31-Oct-13 08:47:22

i too worked at littlewoods [northampton] and purchased a white jumper with my earning. it felt good.

CeliaVL Sat 01-Jun-13 09:34:34

I have a beautiful classic black velvet long evening dress which I bought when I was 25. I am planning to wear it for my 70th birthday party this year and I have no doubt that its good looks will be admired! I need to go down a size in the next five months though.

Hunt Mon 20-May-13 23:46:51

Just remembered i still have the peach coloured coat I wore at my son;s wedding over 20 years ago!

Hunt Mon 20-May-13 23:44:58

A silk shantung dress with red smocking made by my mother in 1932. I also have a studio photo of me wearing it. What is it about old clothes? My 23 year old grandson was quite moved recently when he tried on his great, great grandad's top hat.

jeanie99 Mon 20-May-13 23:01:46

My lucca lamb hat and muff from my wedding day 43 years ago.

Deedaa Mon 20-May-13 20:06:49

I was really disappointed JessM because I tried on various dresses in Biba but they were going through a very droopy, sludgy phase and they all looked awful on me. I've still got a beautiful long silver dress from Biba and I sometimes wonder why I didn't just wear that, I suppose you just feel that a wedding dress should be bought specially hmm

scorpio Mon 20-May-13 17:50:44

My mother's wedding dress from 1939 - but guess that doesn't count. Kaftans from the 70's which I still wear and maternity dress from 1966 which I will definitely not wear again!

JessM Mon 20-May-13 14:36:56

Oh deeda my wedding dress in 1970 came from Biba, just up the road! But i don't have it.

dorsetpennt Mon 20-May-13 14:02:20

A quilted black embroidered jacket bought by my mother 56 years ago - also two lengths of material of the same material bought at the same time. We were living in Hong Kong at the time and my Mother bought the jacket to wear on evenings out to parties etc. There is a name for that type of material that is given to that type of cloth and I just can't remember it. I've always kept the jacket and cloth out of the sun and carefully folded - so that's why it's lasted. I also have table linen from our time there. A man used to come over from Communist China with a large cloth sack over his shoulder. He used to go from door to door selling it linen. Some of the linen is especially ornate and beautiful and is now one of our family heirlooms - I gave a table cloth to my D-I-L when they got married.
I also have an Edwardian style blouse that cost me a lot of money when I lived in New York - that must be over 30 years old. I look at it from time to time reminding myself when I was thinner.

petra Mon 20-May-13 11:27:06

I'm beginning to question myself after reading all this.
I think the oldest thing I have can't be more than 5 years old. I don't hoard anything. I have a policy: as something new comes in, something goes out.

Deedaa Fri 17-May-13 22:53:24

The oldest thing I've got is a black 1920's flapper dress that I used to wear to dances when I was a student. Sadly it's about 6 sizes too small for me now! I've still got my wedding dress from 1970; very hippy from Bus Stop in Kensington. I bought it as a dress that I could wear afterwards but my husband didn't want me to.I still sometimes wear a pair of black flowery 1970's palazzo pants from Wallis and I've got a long sleeved T shirt that I bought in QS 20 years ago which just goe on and on.

susieb755 Fri 17-May-13 21:47:19

I have my baby nightie, and a lovely rust colour shawl that I bought in 1975

Supernan Fri 17-May-13 19:22:51

My liberty bodice. Say no more!!

harrigran Fri 17-May-13 18:32:32

I still have the shoes I bought for DD's christening in May 1969. I never wear a pair out and can't bear to part with them.

Reddevil3 Fri 17-May-13 16:55:05

I have 4 sweatshirts I bought in 1981, constantly washed and worn. They show little sign of wear and the colours are still bright.
Do shoes count? I have a pair of black court shoes, by Ravel (are they still around?) worn them to death, and have just had their very worn and damaged heels mended yesterday by my local shoemender.
They have come up smiling! Bought them also in 1981.
(Not to go with the sweatshirts!) smile

Ariadne Fri 17-May-13 10:46:49

Funny how much clothing shrinks over the years, isn't it!grin

trisher Fri 17-May-13 10:42:36

I have a black velvet top made by my grandmother when she was in her 20s- so around 1920. It is hand sewn and fully lined. The lining is showing signs of wear but otherwise it is fine. I last wore it in the 80's with a long flowery skirt- but it is a bit tight now.