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Original poster

Goodbye dear friends - aka trousers

32 replies

Rainbow321 · 07/07/2025 11:31

Twelve years ago I volunteered at my local charity shop . As a volunteer we had little perks , if we wanted an item we paid the same as a shopper , however if item wasn't selling and the price was going to be marked down we could buy at 50% off .

I once purchased a pair of trousers for 99p ( don't forget 12 years ago ) and whilst they were only a High St brand they went on to become my most worn trousers .

They were comfortable , looked good , went with loads of tops , were easy to wash / didn't need ironing ext . I would wear several times a month .

I've had them 12 years and have just thrown them out as now worn beyond getting away with it .

Can't believe how sad I am to see them go.
Have you a much loved item of clothing you are keeping / kept longer than you should ?

OP posts:
AnchorWHAT · 07/07/2025 11:34

I have a mac from Wallis bought in 1989 that still hangs in my wardrobe cant imagine getting rid but its still in decent condition.

anon2022anon · 07/07/2025 11:39

You should absolutely keep your eye on Vinted for the same trousers- I'd be amazed if they don't come up in the next few months. Search for whatever iterations of the description they could come under, and save the search. Run the search every few days, and similar things will come up on your algorithm.

Blarn · 07/07/2025 11:40

I have a red wool winter coat from Warehouse which I bought in 2006. Its so lovely and for a high street brand really good quality. Its a bit snug now so I do need to wear it undone and can't get a jumper under it but I could never bring myself to throw it away. I also have a silk Gap dress from 2008 which hopefully one of my dds will love.

Coffeeishot · 07/07/2025 11:44

I had a period leak years ago and had to quickly run into a charity shop i bought a pair of trousers for £3 and had them a decade they were perfect, the zip went so i binned them .devastating, Condolences op 😀

Original poster
Rainbow321 · 07/07/2025 11:49

anon2022anon · 07/07/2025 11:39

You should absolutely keep your eye on Vinted for the same trousers- I'd be amazed if they don't come up in the next few months. Search for whatever iterations of the description they could come under, and save the search. Run the search every few days, and similar things will come up on your algorithm.

Trouble is the label printing faded years age so I'd have to trawl every post of trousers as I can't remember the brand .

OP posts:
NeedWineNow · 07/07/2025 11:50

I've got a white linen skirt from Warehouse that I've had since before I was married (29 years this year!). It was originally maxi length but I had it altered years ago to a midi length. It's very simple with a drawstring waist, so very accommodating <ahem>. I get it out every summer and it still looks good. I've also got a white knee length skirt from French Connection that I bought at Bicester Village. It's a light muslin-like fabric and deep shirred waistband. Again, I got it years ago but I get it out every year to take on holiday.

Endofyear · 07/07/2025 12:58

I had a pair of really fine soft corduroy jeans once from Monsoon. They were a sort of dusky mauve colour and soooo soft and comfortable! Eventually they wore so thin in the thigh area (rubbing together!) that I had to throw them away 😢 I still miss them!

Creamteasandbumblebees · 07/07/2025 13:07

I have a little black very fine knit cardigan with 3/4 sleeves in lovey little pearlised buttons. I bought it from was new look 16 years ago just after my daughter was born. It looks smart with trousers or casual with jeans. Its a perfect weight, not too thick but warm enough if it's a bit chilly. I literally wear it 3 or 4 times a week and take it everywhere. It washes well and dries quickly and keeps it's shape. Its starting to go a bit thin now on the elbows and I'm genuinely gutted. I'm so emotionally attached to it and have bought several others over the years but none are quite the same. It'll be a very sad day when it retires completely 😭😭😭😭

CointreauVersial · 07/07/2025 13:07

Ahh, I had a similar pair of charity shop trousers - I think they were a fairly basic brand like New Look - bought after I went back to work after maternity leave in 2007, and I wore them for years and years; they were my work wardrobe go-to. Mid-grey, mid rise, perfect length, slightly bootcut, fitted beautifully.

They were known as the Trousers of Truth because they were an excellent indicator of my fluctuating weight. At one point, I got a bit thin for them, so I sewed in a couple of darts on the waistband. Then, a few years later, the darts had to come out again.🙄

They are still around, but starting to look a bit shabby, and the fabric is actually wearing thin in places. They are also a bit tight now...whoops. I haven't worn them for a few years but can't bring myself to get rid.

BirdyBedtime · 07/07/2025 13:10

I have just binned a pair of Reiker mule sandals I've had for years - realised when climbing (slipping) up some stone steps on holiday that the tread is completely worn off but the uppers are still pristine and they were soooo comfy. I have ordered a similar pair in great hope ......

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 07/07/2025 13:21

NeedWineNow · 07/07/2025 11:50

I've got a white linen skirt from Warehouse that I've had since before I was married (29 years this year!). It was originally maxi length but I had it altered years ago to a midi length. It's very simple with a drawstring waist, so very accommodating <ahem>. I get it out every summer and it still looks good. I've also got a white knee length skirt from French Connection that I bought at Bicester Village. It's a light muslin-like fabric and deep shirred waistband. Again, I got it years ago but I get it out every year to take on holiday.

Very, very envious of anyone who can wear white clothes and not ruin them by dribbling tomato sauce or similar on them. This is the fate of any white, pale grey or other light-coloured garment I wear. Every so often I buy another one, and rapidly realise all over again why it's no good.

I had a white bra for a while which unfortunately started to look a bit dingy, so had to go. It was made of very soft stretchy cotton and was so comfortable, especially in hot weather. I miss it.

Blobbitymacblob · 07/07/2025 13:25

Bring them to a dress maker or tailor to take apart and copy.
it’ll cost a bit more than 99p but I bet it would be worth it.

ScaryM0nster · 07/07/2025 13:25

F&F (Tesco) smart shift / suit type dress. £7 in the reduced to clear section of Tesco on Shetland 13 years ago. I was hungover and hunting junk food and it was on a rack next to the tills and seemed better than getting laundry done before work the next day. Still my go to ‘need a smart work outfit’.

Its somehow machine washable and gets away without ironing.

JustSawJohnny · 07/07/2025 13:55

anon2022anon · 07/07/2025 11:39

You should absolutely keep your eye on Vinted for the same trousers- I'd be amazed if they don't come up in the next few months. Search for whatever iterations of the description they could come under, and save the search. Run the search every few days, and similar things will come up on your algorithm.

This.

I always send a 'hope you love it' message after a sale and I've had a few people say they already have the item and were looking for a new one.

Defo worth a try, once a month or so.

SharpWriter · 07/07/2025 14:34

anon2022anon · 07/07/2025 11:39

You should absolutely keep your eye on Vinted for the same trousers- I'd be amazed if they don't come up in the next few months. Search for whatever iterations of the description they could come under, and save the search. Run the search every few days, and similar things will come up on your algorithm.

I have just done this for a River Island top I had for years which literally fell to pieces as I wore it thousands of times. Just found one on Vinted which looks to be in decent condition!

Illegally18 · 07/07/2025 15:21

Rainbow321 · 07/07/2025 11:31

Twelve years ago I volunteered at my local charity shop . As a volunteer we had little perks , if we wanted an item we paid the same as a shopper , however if item wasn't selling and the price was going to be marked down we could buy at 50% off .

I once purchased a pair of trousers for 99p ( don't forget 12 years ago ) and whilst they were only a High St brand they went on to become my most worn trousers .

They were comfortable , looked good , went with loads of tops , were easy to wash / didn't need ironing ext . I would wear several times a month .

I've had them 12 years and have just thrown them out as now worn beyond getting away with it .

Can't believe how sad I am to see them go.
Have you a much loved item of clothing you are keeping / kept longer than you should ?

find a dressmaker who can make a pattern from it and sew it up for you.

Coffeeishot · 07/07/2025 15:23

I just remembered my Bay Trading cardigan it was chunky but not to chunky a great length had a zip and pockets, it was perfect i lost it in a house move I had it about 15ish years.

Original poster
Rainbow321 · 07/07/2025 18:07

I'm pleased I'm not alone in having an attachment to a much loved item of clothing .I

Hope all those seeking its twin gets lucky !

OP posts:
Gardenbird123 · 07/07/2025 21:42

I have a mini skirt from M &S that I bought just before I was pregnant with my eldest son, who is now 27 😊
Also a fleece that I wear for gardening - it was a free gift from a catalogue .......

JRM17 · 07/07/2025 21:58

I had a top I got from Asda for 50p when I was 17. It was smart casual, looked great with jeans, washed beautifully and needed minimal ironing. I wore it to death (at least once a week) and finally had to retire (bin) it when I moved house when I was 34.

CathyBlowsBubbles · 07/07/2025 22:04

Blarn · 07/07/2025 11:40

I have a red wool winter coat from Warehouse which I bought in 2006. Its so lovely and for a high street brand really good quality. Its a bit snug now so I do need to wear it undone and can't get a jumper under it but I could never bring myself to throw it away. I also have a silk Gap dress from 2008 which hopefully one of my dds will love.

Oh I also have a red wool Warehouse coat but I bought mine in 2002! Sadly it no longer fits especially over my boobs but I can’t bring myself to get rid of it.

Catnapsallday · 08/07/2025 13:59

Lurking in the depths of my closet is a pair of black suede knee-high winter boots that I used to wear with a black wool dress coat which no longer keeps it company in the closet.
I also have a very good quality down filled winter jacket in the colour raspberry, which was popular when I got it (and I wonder if it will ever return)?
I routinely pass over these items when I make up a donation bag.
I can't bear to part with either one, and I guess they will stay there until the freezing cold , snow filled winters of the past return.

evilharpy · 08/07/2025 15:17

The oldest thing in my wardrobe (not including bags) is this exact leather jacket, seen here on Irish author Claire McGowan (taken from her website - her books are very good btw). I bought it in a shop called Awear that no longer exists. I haven't worn it in years but somehow it has survived every wardrobe clearout for 20 odd years. It's a bit like the Trousers of Truth someone mentioned in that if it fits I'm a happy weight (have had a few years of massive weight gain but happy to report that I am now back in the jacket).

Goodbye dear friends - aka trousers
SpiralSister · 08/07/2025 15:27

A black mini (not too short), absolutely plain with a small slit at back, bit of stretch. Bought as part of a suit at Miss Selfridge (the jacket had fringing and was lovely but less wearable) in 1983. Worn regularly until 2001 when I became too fat for it. Went with absolutely everything for work and going out.

RIP, perfect skirt.

Cattery · 08/07/2025 15:35

Had a lovely pair of cropped Bengaline trousers from Asda. Wore them to death so had to bin. Never been able to find a similar pair. Also I’ve still got a dress I bought for a NYE party in 1995. It’s a bit tight now but I still love it x