Never can say goodbye: what's the oldest item of clothing you still wear?

For all the wishlists I write and all the window shopping I do and all the wardrobe updates I lust after, these days I'm pretty slow about actually making purchase of anything new.

Over the weekend it occurred to me that not only is it ages since I bought some new threads, but some of the gear I love and wear most often is really quite ancient.

A case in point are the seven-year-old tan knee-high boots with brogue detailing from River Island that most recently got an airing at the Cheltenham Gold Cup a few weeks ago, paired with a khaki Mango military style coat that I got around 2004/5.

I have lots of stuff of that vintage that I still wear on a very regular basis, but they're not even the oldest purchases knocking around my everyday wardrobe. There are the Topshop socks featuring Angelica from Rugrats that I got when I was in school – I honestly don't know how they haven't fallen apart, but they're very comfy with my wedge trainers – and a pink striped top that I loved in the early '90s which has managed to survive every move and clothing cull of the last 15+ years as the cornerstone of my DIY/gardening uniform.

try not to be too jealous of my fancy painting gear, ladies

I bet I'm not alone in recycling my favourites year after year and in some instances, decade after decade, so tell me: what's the oldest item of clothing (or oldest accessory) that you own and still wear?