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My 20 year old socks and other long-time-service clothing

Posted by on Tuesday 15 February 2011 in anti-consumerism, frugal | 5 comments

Yesterday, Ilona on Life After Money was talking getting her money’s worth out of things – and referred to some really old underpants she owns. It got me thinking about my elderly underwear.

I have some knickers I bought when I first started going out with John. We’ve been together for nearly nine years. I bought a pair of knickers with a penguin on it and another pair with a cat – the penguin ones are a little scruffy but the cat ones are still almost my favourite pants and are still in regular circulation – worn probably about once a fortnight and still going strong.

Elsewhere in my underwear drawer, I’ve got some slipper socks from my mid-teens (about 15 years ago – someone dropped a BNWT pair in my mum’s shop and after sitting in their lost-and-found box for a while, I was the lucky recipient of them) and a pair of novelty socks that my childhood neighbour/friend Katie bought me one Christmas. I can’t remember what year it was exactly when she bought them for me but I suspect it was when we were about 11 or 12 (19/20 years ago). They’re getting a little bobbly and threadbare on the heel now but still wearable – and still worn regularly. I’ve never worked out what sort of animal is ice skating though – a brown penguin? a bear?

Most of my visible wardrobe is newer – because of changing styles (I’m not exactly a fashionista but my style has definitely evolved over the last couple of decades – shell suits were in style when Katie bought me those socks!) and because of changing body size – but I still wear a black wool cardigan I bought when I was 16 (and a UK size 8) even though I’m now 31 and … um, not a size 8 by any measure! I’ve also got a tiny sundress I bought the week of my 18th birthday which I still wear – it’s bias cut so stretchy so works as a long top for underneath a jumper.

All but three of John’s jumpers pre-date our relationship and he’s got some t-shirts from when he was about 14 or 15 – including one that feels like silk now, it’s been washed that much!

Do you have any clothes in regular circulation that are due a long-term service award?

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5 Comments

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  1. rob cornelius
    15 February, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I have a rugby jersey I bought from Greenpeace about 20 years ago. Its indigo dyed cotton and is now the palest blue and soft as you like. I wear it at least once a fortnight. I reckon I have several pairs of underwear that are at least 10 years old, though I tend to go through socks at a tremendous rate. I think my oldest item though is a Marks and Spencers tshirt that is at least 25 years old. Its made of material thats not unlike the stuff polo/golf shirts are made of except a lot tougher obviously.

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  2. Taphophile
    15 February, 2011 at 8:27 pm

    I just threw away a pair of 25 year old slouch socks. The elasitc had finally given up. I have some of the handknitted cardigans that my mother made for Dad. Some are more than 30 years old. And a mohair cardigan that was an aunt’s. It about 40 years old. Handknits, well cared for, last forever.

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  3. sara
    16 February, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    HAHA..you and my hubby would get on great..he has tank tops from when we first met..thats 25 yrs ago and he won’t part with them..the only thing i have is my wedding veil and headress..but they are wrapped up nice and safe..the oldest thing that i do wear is england rugby shirt..it got me through 4 pregnancies lol..big and comfy..still brilliant white..
    sara

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  4. louisa
    17 February, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Hi guys,

    rob: great long-service clothes collection – that Greenpeace jersey sounds like it’s certainly improved with age.

    Taphophile: I’m going to keep that “handknits, well cared for, last forever” sentiment in mind next time I’m justifying buying some expensive yarn – great point :)

    Sara: 25 years for tank tops? good going that man!

    I realised last night that John’s collection of vests also pre-date our relationship – they’re losing their shape a little now but they’re vests so it doesn’t matter that much, and they’re super soft after so many washes. (Also, I tie-dyed some of them last year so they’re fun colours now!)

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  5. Su
    17 February, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Due to my incredibly varying weight, I have very little clothing that is old. However, I do own a coat that is at least 20 years old, that I inherited from my mum, until recently it was in superb condition, unfortunately, the kitten thinks it’s great to climb up and as a consequence she is shredding the lining! I also have a Friends of the Earth t-shirt that is about 12 years old and still looks like new. Lastly, a pair of leather boots, bought for a fiver at the very end of the sale, about 8 or 9 years ago, which I love, unfortuanetly, they cost £7.50 to get re-heeled! Still cheaper than buying a new pair though.

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