Have you got a cheap yet irreplaceable workhorse item of clothing?

[Apologynotaccepted]

Today I am wearing my perfect dress- I’ve had it over 26 years- and it was actually free in a donations box - I grabbed it as I needed something plain and black for a play I was in. It was vintage even 26 years ago and its literally a boat neck A lline knee length tunic. It’s a weird fabric somewhere between scuba and crimpolene. It dries in about an hour after washing. I’ve scrumpled it up in a backpack when I went interrailing years ago and I have worn it everywhere- on the beach, i wore it to a wedding once with a detachable lace collar on (it looks like a Bella Freud number when I do that) I wear it in the winter with a polo neck underneath and I must wear it at least twice a week. It’s somehow the perfect cut and weight of fabric and hasn’t aged at all- no bobbling etc

The other thing I have is a really light floppy men’s silk shirt which is paisley, it’s oversized, soft and gorgeous. It was on the pound rail outside a charity shop when I was on holiday in Cornwall about 16 years ago! Again, I have worn it everywhere and very very often

Have any of you got a similar item?

Yes! Mine is a ditsy floral blouse in a not-too-translucent sort of georgette. It has a wide scoop neckline, a fitted bust and gently princess seamed bodice, so it has a lovely shape. It washes & dries indestructibly, can be dressed up under a suit or down with jeans, and the cost per wear by now is practically unthinkable.

I remember clocking the shaping when I saw it on the sale rail at H&M nearly 20 years ago and snatched it up in my size without even trying it on, because I had 2 kids in a Phil & Ted with me and had no time to try things on. It is pure bloody polyester, and I had no idea at the time what a stalwart it would become.

I’ve even considered taking it to a seamstress and asking for copies made in “good” fabrics. I’ve never bought another top with as flattering a shape.

Again black tunic style dress top. Fiver from asda about 10 years ago. It was marketed as a beach cover up, 3/4 batwing sleeves. Wear it constantly in the summer over leggings, folded up with jeans .

Yes I have two identical black jersey dresses that I class as my work uniform- I wear different coloured shrugs with them. They're comfortable, layerable, easy wash and dry. I have loads of other clothes but these are my ideal go to

Love this. My two wardrobe workhorse stalwarts are from the bargain section of uniqlo. They're thick brushed cotton over shirts. I have it in a brownish mini plaid and grey faint check. They are the only items I can layer. Perfect as a light jacket, over sleeveless dresses, they make everything a little more interesting even though the items themselves look really boring on the hangar. They're 100% cotton and about 10 years old, so they don't look brand new, but they really do still look great. I love them.

I have two identical midi length petrol blue ribbed jersey roll neck dresses that I bought from M&S six years ago, I think they were £24.99 each, they’re perfect for work, wash brilliantly and dry quickly. I’m not a fan of man made fabrics but can wear these dresses happily. I’d wear them to work every day October to March except that it would look as though I have no other clothes.

I have a Debenhams John Rocha fine boiled wool long length open cardigan/jacket in the most perfect pale pink colour. It has neutral styling so it’s timeless, classy and warm. I can wear it with jeans or over a smart dress for work. It was quite expensive at the time (around £60 late nineties) but I’ve worn it so much it has been worth every penny.

I was wandering around charity shop one day and saw a gorgeous purple coat

Whipped it to the till,bought it and bought a red scarf to go with it-i get so many compliments on it

Ditto another two coats-one navy,one bottle green

Both slightly victorian in style and go with everything

As a teen I bought a cheap pair of jeans and they just fitted so well

Lived in them for 8 years until the fanny part fell apart

Now I tend to live in either my uniform or pyjamas

A black leather jacket which I bought for £60 in a sale in Oasis, about 15 years ago. I have a much newer and very nice All Saints one, but it’s the old, battered one that I still often reach for because it’s so soft and moulded to my body.

I never shop in places like Primark these days (try very hard to be a conscious and ethical consumer and buy almost everything second hand if I can), but I have to give a shout out to a little sun top/camisole I bought there well over 20 years ago.

It’s 100% white cotton, lined, with a bit of white embroidery on the bust - kind of a fitted halterneck then looser. It goes with anything - you can chuck it over a bikini and jeans shorts or dress it up with sandals and a floaty skirt or trousers - packs down to nothing, washes endlessly, and keeps its original shape and colour. I’ve worn it every summer since.

I thought I was the only one who did this! I've three pairs of black wide (ish) leg pull on trousers in an uncrushable fabric that are just the right length, just right on the waist and so comfortable. They dry in an hour or so also when washed. I got them in Primark a few years ago, and I rotate them during the Winter. I have so many other trousers, but these are the constants. Still in great nick despite constant wear. Sometimes it's not the label!

To be fair I am now retired (early), but they would be fine at work unless the dress code is tailored suit/dress and heels!

I am currently wearing an old favourite: a straight-up-and-down thigh-length jumper that has kept its shape. It is pure cotton and has also kept its colour. It hasn't faded one jot despite years of washing, it remains a deep navy blue that goes with everything.
I got it from a chazza but I can't remember what I paid, it was that long ago. The label says St Michael; Google tells me that M&S stopped using that in the year 2000.

I've just looked a bit more closely at the label. It says "made in the UK". That's definitely in the 'irreplaceable' category.

Next sculpt jeggings/ jeans. I pretty much wear a version of them everyday.
I am past the age where I worry about what is ‘in” or “out” and these suit me and are extremely comfortable.
Also an LK Bennet wrap dress which is my standby by for anywhere vaguely smart.
Had it since 2009.

I have a secondhand skirt I wear all the time. Work, days out, sitting at home. It's very comfortable, a nice length and lined so it keeps me fairly warm especially if I wear over leggings.

I love the idea of a work wardrobe but tbh, I am too much of a magpie. If I had to pick one I would probably choose black trousers and black v neck jumper with black boots and a scarf

Massive grey Lainey cashmere cardigan, XXXXXL.

Bulletproof. Hasn’t fallen to bits despite vigorous wear since 1999.

Swishy. Doubles as blanket, scarf, dressing gown, pet burrito.

I bought a knee length 70s leopard print dress with a black dagger collar in a charity shop 25-30 years ago, can’t have cost more than £10. I think it’s a home seamstress special, possibly nylon 😀
It sounds awful but it’s indestructible and flattering, looks equal parts glam, elegant and vintage trashy so can be worn anywhere. Has come in handy when visiting my mum whose washing machines chew up and/or twist clothes into a pleated rag 😀 and it dries almost instantly. Great on flights as it can’t be stained and is as comfy as pyjamas.
I’ve worn it at different weights/sizes but it’s a great a-line cut so always fits. Goes with most of my boots and shoes over the years (and possibly trainers though I like to lean into the glam caftan effect) and has survived multiple ruthless wardrobe culls.
I don’t think I own anything else in leopard print? I wear natural fabrics exclusively 😀 with this one exception.

I forgot about my similar item! A knee length wool/acrylic blend black v-neck jumper dress, beautifully shaped and flattering, also St Michael and from a charity shop over twenty years ago, gets fewer outings than the blue dresses I mentioned earlier but that’s because I don’t want to wear black all the time.
Also washes amazingly.

@everyone
I would love some photos of this clothing!

Let's have a photo!!

A black, short-sleeved fine knit top from Oasis. It has slightly frilly sleeve ends and a detachable cotton collar in black with a floral print. I bought it over 15 years ago now.

I never usually got stuff from Oasis as i always found their stuff a bit prissy and middle of the road, but I got this in the sale when I needed a work top. It has been great - it fits well, washes like a dream and has never faded. It can be worn with the collar attached and paired with wide trousers or a fitted skirt for a smart and easy work outfit, with jeans or a short denim or cord skirt and boots for an easy casual outfit, it works well in winter over a colourful long sleeved heat tech top.

The other one, which i think I may have to sadly consign to the recycling bag as it is getting a bit bald in places, is a just above the knee needle cord shirt dress in navy with tiny white polka dots. I got it from Sainsbury's 12 years ago thinking it might be a fine thing to wear for the season. It became a winter stalwart and I wear it pretty much most Winter Fridays at work with boots.

I have a pair of trousers I bought from Primark about 10 years ago for going interrailing. They are viscose mix, widish in the leg and I can tuck them into socks (stylish!) if I'm trekking or wearing them loose for a more dressy look. They always come on holiday with me and I wear them in-between too, I will be devastated when they wear out. I'll probably go to a tailor and get several pairs made. I'm quite sure the material is the sort you can get for £1 a meter in Asian shops.

I've got a brown roll-neck jumper that was an M&S/St Michael's I got in a charity shop about 5 years ago. I don't know what magic they put it in but it's the most flattering item of clothing I own and I've bought many a similar one trying to get the same combo of softness and fit. Will be gutted when it wears out - it's already probably past its best but I won't be getting rid until it literally falls apart!

I was holidaying in Egypt about ten years ago and came across a second hand clothes market. It was all western imported stuff, the labels were all St Michael and St Bernard. I knew looking at them they were 'in' in the eighties, so were very old but the quality was impeccable. If I had luggage I would have filled a case.

I have several items like that. Linen shirts snd modal shorts from the 2016 Uniqlo x Liberty collab. I have all colourways of the shirts, they were three. I wear them a lot every spring and summer, they never faded, look as new and are made of great quality, natural materials.

Vintage wool cardigan, probably made in 1950s by a textile factory on the Faroe Islands of all places. It’s extremely warm, doesn’t bobble, works as outer layer. I went snowboarding with it, it can easily replace a functional skiing/snowboarding jacket.

I have a Sweater Shop cotton knit jumper in diamonds shades of blue. Must be at least 30 years old and washed hundreds of times. Always gets compliments from the younger generation.