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?

A long, waterfall edge cardigan in the thinnest, soft jersey. It’s the most comfortable and useful item I’ve ever owned. Bought it from a random boutique in the Deep South somewhere in Mississippi about 15 years ago. It’s a sort of mushroom colour which sounds awful but is super useful as can wear on black, navy, green, pretty much anything. Over dresses, jeans, yoga stuff to make it look more stylish - I LOVE it! Winter or summer as it’s a layer so not hot but somehow always just right. But it’s now getting small holes so need to find another….

An M&S black rollneck jumper: it's pure wool, washes like a dream and always maintains its shape. I'm pretty sure it's about 30 years old as it has the "St Michael" label which was phased out sometime around 1999/2000. I think I'd struggle to find anything of that quality in M&S these days.

A sheer long sleeve button up top with velvet embellishments. Perfect cover up for occasions. Kookai, late 90s.
A pale blue herringbone work shirt with deep cuffs. From Zara when they first opened in the UK.
An All Saints slash neck fine knit that was a sale find at least ten years ago.
Several pieces of Kate Moss’ TopShop collection!

Ha! We all obviously have the same, excellent taste!

I had a Topshop turtle neck that was my favourite for about 15 years. I had to get rid of it because my mother said it had started to wear away at the chest. RIP jumper. Everything else I own is crap - jeans always wear away at the thighs!

I keep finding more things to add!

A uniqlo paul and joe dress that I bought from a charity shop reduced for £5. It fits so well and makes me look like I have a waist and the fabric is good quality and thick enough to wear in the autumn and winter. I love it so much I've since tracked down another on vinted and I live in them.

A really soft cotton breastfeeding nightie i bought from Mothercare when I had DS. He’s 16 now. Still wearing it - it may fall apart soon! 🤣

Perfect American Apparel black 3/4 sleeve crew neck cotton jersey t shirt dress. Can be worn with tights, jewellery and shoes for evening, with trainers or sandals in summer. I think one persons workhorse is another persons charity bin pile, so much of fashion relies on shape and fit. I’m a bit of a tomboy and don’t like super feminine blousey dresses, always feels like I’ve raided a dressing up box.

Yes - I think I have the same ones. Love them

@GoldenCupsatHarvestTime you have such a lovely user name .
Please buy yourself something equally lovely to replace your jumper.
And your jeans!

Navy blue lambswool cardigan, boyfriend style. I got it less than half price in a sale at People Tree closed down. I wear it all the time, usually with a navy linen/cotton blouse of unknown origin that cost < £5 from a charity shop.

3 long sleeved tops all of which are ten years old. 2 are same top (in black and purple) from warehouse - soft ribbed cotton, long sleeved and high necked. So flattering; look great tucked into jeans.
the third top is from & other stories - blue and white stripe with a contrast orange neck. Wish they still made them!
I wear all three once a week in the cooler months.

A pair of black work trousers from Tesco's old Florence & Fred (now F&F) range

Still going strong, can wash, iron and drip dry in a day

I have a floor length black velvet coat, unlined, that I bought from Affleck's Palace in Manchester in the early 80s, for £50, which was an absolute fortune for me back then, as a student nurse. However, I have worn it and worn it, over jeans, over a cocktail dress, to a funeral, to a wedding - it is simply the best item in my wardrobe and I always get complimented on it whenever I wear it. It's light enough for spring, and big enough to wear layers underneath in winter. I am never, ever getting rid of it.

I have two items that I always reach for both bought at 8am in the morning on work trips when my bags had been lost and o was desperate for something half presentable to wear on (a corporate) stage later that day

the first is a light beige/cream blazer in a gorgeous textured fabric something like a very fine tweed. It’s from H&M, cost about £40 and must be at least ten years old and I’ve worn it 100s of times

the second is a pair of fitted cream trousers which I got from a random shop in Istanbul.

They’re pretty much one of the best pair of trousers I’ve ever owned, they fit me perfectly, travel well, are not in the slightest bit see through whilst still hanging beautifully.

they were under £30 and are nicer than most trousers I have that are ten times the price.

Sainsbury’s barrel leg jeans - last year they did a style with darts in the knees to add a bit of space, shape and dimension. They are the most flattering jeans I’ve ever had, I keep an eye out on Vinted.

A pair of Boden sailor style (two separate button openings at the front, in the pockets) wide leg dark wash jeans. I wear them almost every week at least once to work.
I have lost a bit of weight and they won't work with a belt so I'm really worried!

I have a lovely Rocha John Rocha tshirt which fits me perfectly, has a beaded pattern on the front. Was reduced to clear for £8 about 15 years ago in Debenhams, had a bigish dirty mark on it which came out first wash - I thought if it didn't come out I could add to the beaded area each side and cover it up. Original price was something like £60. I have worn it constantly other than washing it every summer since buying it, so many people comment on it, it can dress up or down (slightly sparkly beads), and goes with just about everything I've got.