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What is the oldest thing in your wardrobe that you still wear?

(101 Posts)
Casdon Sun 02-Mar-25 08:27:29

I went to a party yesterday lunchtime, and wore a silk embroidered Chinese jacket that I bought in Hong Kong 33 years ago (I know the age, because my daughter was with me, in a pushchair at the time). It got me thinking, and I realised it is the oldest clothing item I own that I still wear, I’m usually quite ruthless. Has anybody else got anything you bought years ago that you still wear and love?

Aldom Sun 02-Mar-25 08:32:40

My classic, navy blue cashmere coat.
Purchased in 1976. Still in lovely condition.

ViceVersa Sun 02-Mar-25 08:41:21

I'm currently sitting here wearing a top which is older than my son, and he's 30 this year! Most of my clothes are fairly old, to be perfectly honest, and I'm sure there must be some items which are older than this top.

Pavane Sun 02-Mar-25 08:41:55

55 year old linen tea towel bought in London. It is used in the kitchen and has a small hole in it. It is soft and lovely.

merlotgran Sun 02-Mar-25 08:43:58

Pavane

55 year old linen tea towel bought in London. It is used in the kitchen and has a small hole in it. It is soft and lovely.

You wear it??😮

NotAGran55 Sun 02-Mar-25 08:45:34

I have a 1970’s Burberrys (as it was called then) raincoat which is on permanent loan to my sister because it suits her better than me.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 02-Mar-25 08:48:41

Here in Málaga I’ve been sorting (culling) my wardrobe but kept the cream cardigan I wear now instead of a dressing gown. I was looking at the label. It’s M&S “St Michael”! Ancient then. 😂

Aldom Sun 02-Mar-25 08:50:19

I've just remembered my beautiful, bed jacket. It's white silk, quilted with pale blue stitching.
My husband gave it to me for Christmas 1964, in anticipation of the birth of our first child the following summer. I still use my bed jacket occasionally for reading in bed.

Lovemylife Sun 02-Mar-25 08:51:34

I have a few jumpers from 1980 onwards that I still wear from time to time.
Currently in the mending pile is a skirt I made in 1974. It started out as a wraparound maxi and became a wraparound midi by cutting the top part off. Now going to join the seams as the wraparound part doesn’t work any more 🍰 🍷 🥪

M0nica Sun 02-Mar-25 09:04:37

My embroidered Chinese coat, which I wear to occasional smart dos, was bought in Hong Kong by my mother in around 1953.

After that, a pink shawl I use in bed, which I knitted in around 1967 then a quilted jacket I still wear regularly,(like the last three days) which is about 20 years old.

Calendargirl Sun 02-Mar-25 09:07:20

Just been to have a look.

Many of my clothes are 20-30+ years old, I don’t buy many and something 5 years old feels ‘new’ still.

FGT, I can easily match your ‘St Michael’ stuff, several of my garments carry that label. Quite collectible, I think!

But my oldest item must be a very simple lilac coloured tee shirt, sleeveless, heart shaped neckline, with some laces down the front. Bought from a cheap little boutique or similar to take on our first family holiday, early 80’s.

I still love it and wear it, and feel good in it. Don’t know why.

kittylester Sun 02-Mar-25 09:08:01

My dressing gown. DH keeps buying me new ones but nothing beats my soft old one.

ViceVersa Sun 02-Mar-25 09:08:55

I'm loving this thread! I think it's lovely that people still have clothes which they've had for years, especially when some of them have such memories attached to them.

flappergirl Sun 02-Mar-25 09:11:30

An M & S black velvet jacket that I bought for Christmas 1974.

1summer Sun 02-Mar-25 09:22:20

I have a beautiful red coat with black velvet collar and cuffs. I remember it cost a lot of money at the time but can’t remember where I bought it. It is definitely over 30 years old in immaculate condition.
My family call it my Christmas coat as I only ever wear it in December every year.

cornergran Sun 02-Mar-25 09:25:07

My winter dressing gown, it was my Mum’s, it’s over 50 years old.

mum2three Sun 02-Mar-25 09:25:57

I'm still wearing jumpers which I knitted many years ago. They seem to last longer than bought ones for some reason.

Georgesgran Sun 02-Mar-25 09:42:04

I’ve a Burberry from 1989 - it’s a size 12, sadly, I am not! Same with the size 10 Levi 501s from 1980 - but I live in hope.

LovesBach Sun 02-Mar-25 09:48:08

When my DD was seventeen we were shopping in Wallis. We both loved a most unusual jacket, but of course she won and it became hers. She wore it occasionally for years, then handed it to me.. It is worn still, from time to time, and draws compliments as it is 'different'. My DD is now fifty one.

pascal30 Sun 02-Mar-25 09:48:17

A black heavy crepe silk kimono dressing gown from the 30's

Maggiemaybe Sun 02-Mar-25 09:57:47

Nothing as old as pascal’s and others’ smile, but I have quite a few things from the early 80s that I still wear occasionally, including a smart navy Paul Poly coat bought in a sale. It’s actually a coat dress but it’s an 80s size 10 and I can’t button it now. My oldest is probably the lovely purple and grey woollen Windsmoor blazer with black velvet collar that I picked up at a jumble sale in 1980. I think it’s probably 1970s. Both of these were made in England.

Oreo Sun 02-Mar-25 10:51:23

A navy blue soft Winter scarf which I know dates back to around 1985 cos I pinched it from Mum as it had her lovely perfume scent on it.I wore it wrapped round me for reading in bed to feel cosy.

Marydoll Sun 02-Mar-25 11:00:59

A silk scarf of my mother from the nineteen thirties.

CariadAgain Sun 02-Mar-25 11:37:40

Probably my swimsuit - a light-blue one piece in quite a flattering style. I've not been able to wear it for years - because it's size 14 and I'm buying "vanity size 14" clothes these days and maybe even "vanity size 16". So, at the moment, it's there to remind me what size I'm supposed to be and trying it on at intervals as to how it fits.

One of these days I'll get back to size 14 - which these days has labels saying it's "size 10" for my bottom half and "size 12" for my top half - to get the vanity size that's nearest to my proper size. No excuse - as I've never had children or even been pregnant or got a husband who's let himself go and so it's only fair I do the same LOL. I will get back to the normal size many women used to be - ie back to 8.5 stones again.

Reassuring to see women commenting you are still wearing the clothes - it reminds me that "No it is not inevitable to be bigger just because of being older - as you aren't".

My older clothes are better quality - as I'm not prepared to buy anything other than cheap clothes for my current size iyswim.

tanith Sun 02-Mar-25 11:42:24

I’ve just donated a favourite (very expensive at the time)cream silky trench coat that I’ve had since about 1997. It’s been miles too big for me for years but I couldn’t bear to part with it, I hope it’s gone to someone who’ll love it too.