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Original poster

Have you ever loved and lost a perfect item?

41 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 05/09/2023 19:26

Inspired by the thread about perfect items you will never likely find, I got to thinking about the perfect items we no longer have. My best friend had the most amazing wallet. It was nylon, loads of pockets, room for key and lipstick (it was pre phone) could be worn crossbody on a hidden chain - she dropped it into a full pub toilet when we were out and could never use it again despite many washes- she still misses it and mourns it- and nothing has ever come close. We think it may have been Kipling but this was in the late 90s so we can't be sure. What are your loved and lost items?

OP posts:
Briandouglas · 05/09/2023 19:30

I had a perfect pair of dr martens they weren’t leather but canvas material with a paint splat pattern on and a zip on the sides so I didn’t have to do the laces up. I wore them for years until one got a split in the bottom and they were no longer water proof enough. I’ve looked for a similar pair but they don’t seem to do canvas ones with fun patterns and zips anymore- so now I’m stuck lacing up my boots again lol

harriethoyle · 05/09/2023 19:33

My ex husband ruined a perfect dry clean only suit by putting it in the wash. It had a peplum jacket, nipped in fabulously at the waist and a neat pencil skirt. It was SO flattering. I was so upset...

Note that he's my EX husband 😆

SpicyNoodleSoup · 05/09/2023 19:34

Briandouglas · 05/09/2023 19:30

I had a perfect pair of dr martens they weren’t leather but canvas material with a paint splat pattern on and a zip on the sides so I didn’t have to do the laces up. I wore them for years until one got a split in the bottom and they were no longer water proof enough. I’ve looked for a similar pair but they don’t seem to do canvas ones with fun patterns and zips anymore- so now I’m stuck lacing up my boots again lol

What size are you? There is a black canvas pair on Vinted with a paint splatter pattern in a size 5. www.vinted.co.uk/items/3325605078-paint-splatter-style-docs 

pictoosh · 05/09/2023 19:36

A purple and blue fair isle knit lambs wool hiking hat. Was bulletproof against the elements and really suited me. I left it on a mountain. Never seen the like again.

newfriend05 · 05/09/2023 19:38

Had the most perfect maxi black wrap dress the material was perfect on me .. did a collection for a charity and I gave them the wrong bag .. some of my favourite clothes were in it 😫 it still upsets me

LadyPoison · 05/09/2023 19:45

A perfect pair of Versace sunglasses.

Sadly I sat on them accidentally and they were ruined. I've never found another pair of sunglasses that suited me so well.

IdealisticCynic · 05/09/2023 19:48

Not lost, exactly, but think this counts:

I found the perfect jeans. The jeans of dreams. Perfect shape, perfect fit, perfect shade. Made my bum and legs look fab.

3 days later, I realised I was pregnant. I had to return the jeans as I suspected my hips would be much wider after having the baby. (I was right.)

Nearly cried returning the jeans.

Halo8 · 05/09/2023 19:51

A deep green velvet scarf with fringing, just the right colour, weight and size. I left it in a pub and although we went back within half an hour it had gone.

muchalover · 05/09/2023 19:54

A lovely ring. Gold with a cabochon moonstone. So elegant. Lost it in a move.

soupmaker · 05/09/2023 19:58

I am still in mourning for my absolutely perfect little black dress bought second hand in the early 90s. It had the most gorgeous crystal buttons and beautiful pin tuck detailing in heavy crepe de chine. It fitted perfectly.

My own mother washed it in the bloody washing machine and shrunk it. I've still not forgiven her and the buttons still live in my button box.

Darklane · 05/09/2023 20:14

A perfect black woollen hat, really flattering & cozy, double layered so kept out rain snow everything. I don’t suit most hats but this was perfect, informal enough for this non hat person. One of the dogs got it….enough said.

Jet888 · 05/09/2023 20:15

During one house move I lost all of my shoes except the pair I was wearing. They were in black bags and someone thought they were rubbish... now that was sad. I still think about my lovely woven style sandals with little embroidered red flowers down the side that I loved so much I'd bought 2 pairs...both in the bag...

HarrietSchulenberg · 05/09/2023 20:17

My handmade wooden Belted Galloway brooch that DS3 bought me with his holiday money last year. I was delighted so pinned it on straight away, then went up a lighthouse and walked the dog round the grounds. By the time I got back to the car the brooch had fallen off and even though we all went searching for it, we couldn't find it.
I contacted the artist who'd made it but she wasn't making any more. She rang round the shops she'd supplied to but no-one had any left, so not only did I lose my brooch, I lost the last one available. Still sad about it.

EveryKneeShallBow · 05/09/2023 20:32

Beautiful butter-soft suede leather longline jacket left in the departure lounge at Arrecife airport. I mourn that jacket every day.

Bunny2021 · 05/09/2023 20:33

A beautiful brown leather belt that I’d had since travelling. Left at Pisa airport security.

TokyoSushi · 05/09/2023 20:35

Yep, a black thick cardigan that I used as a going out jacket with a fur collar, put it into a club cloakroom in 1996 and when I went to collect it 'sorry, it's not here anymore.' Absolutely devastated, it was perfect, never found another one!

slobro · 05/09/2023 20:36

I lost my whole jewellery box in a break up and hasty house move to a new flat. I think I put it in the rubbish accidentally. Nothing majorly valuable (I was mid twenties) but occasionally I remember something I really liked and get annoyed about it (and a few gold rings with opal etc that would be worth a couple of hundred now.) Also an antique silver bracelet I got for my 21st.

I think this is why I have hoarding tendencies now!

Pallisers · 05/09/2023 20:36

Years ago I had a gorgeous pair of flat black shoes with soft mauve bows - looked like medieval shoes. I lost them. Actually I think my sister stole them.

I had a perfect little black suit for work - moved house and lost the jacket.

I bought myself a beautiful antique amethyst and gold broach to mark the occasion of my first son's birth (had a very hard time). I went with my mother in law and she bargained with the antique dealer for me and I loved the memory of buying it and the broach itself. The third child was playing with it when in my arms as I tried to wrangle 2 other kids out of daycare into the car with bags etc. and it must have fallen off. I hope whoever found it loved it as much as I did.

MarvellousTimeRuiningEverything · 05/09/2023 20:40

I bought a top from Kookai almost 20 years ago. It was blue and pink and purple ombré, chiffon, v neck, cut under the bust with cap sleeves. I looked fucking gorgeous in it. Abusive partner told me he could see my bra and why did I want to go out in a top where his mates could see my tits? Why did I have to dress like a slag? Why did I want to embarrass him? Is it because I fancied his mates? He berated me for a full 45 minutes before I took it off and promised to return it. I still think about that top even today.

Bellebelleagain · 05/09/2023 20:41

A black skirt from Claudie Pierlot which had just the right amount of ‘swish’. Have no idea where it went, just couldn’t find it one day and it’s never turned up.

An incredible chunky, super long Missoni scarf which I left in Wagamama’s at Heathrow - I’d got it with a huge discount in a sale and they stopped making in them in that style so couldn’t replace it even if I wanted to. I stalked their lost property office for months but it didn’t turn up.

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 05/09/2023 20:46

My personal lost item is a very plain and so far elusive to replace silver cross. It was literally 2 bars of silver , really thin, shiny silver and plain. I wore it on a thin black velvet ribbon choker. Every cross I've looked at since has been too flat, too dull, not the right size. I bought it from a market stall jeweller and loved it.

OP posts:
WhataPlaice · 05/09/2023 20:52

Yes, a black silk shirt that I could wear as a jacket on a balmy night. I could scrunch it up and keep it in my handbag, it never creased. One evening I left it in a restaurant and it was lost forever. I bought it in Asia so no chance of picking up another.

HerRoyalNotness · 05/09/2023 21:29

Someone nicked my LV leopard print scarf off the stroller out shopping. Thankfully it was the MN Scarf! Easily replaced back then

mdinbc · 05/09/2023 21:43

I had a dark green suede jacket swiped from my car back in the 80's. A girlfriend and I drove up and down the main streets looking for someone wearing it, but in reality, I wouldn't had the nerve to get in a street brawl for a jacket!

It was the best jacket...bomber style; it would be 'in' again now.

Silverballet · 05/09/2023 22:44

I had a vintage original great condition 1960s silver shift dress that I'd bought from a vintage shop for a party, in a very stupid fit of decluttering I sold it online for £20(!) which was far too low but honoured the sale anyway rather than weaselling out of it, packaged it beautifully and the buyer didn't even bother leaving any feedback.

I also gave a beautiful leather satchel-style bag, a diffusion line from a designer brand, to a charity shop last year, again because I was decluttering, and still regret it (and stalk online sites to find another one).

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