How to make CHEAP look EXPENSIVE! (merged)

myrnahaz

My husband's favourite DJ (yes, sadly, he has more than one) was bought by his grandfather in the forties. It's still quite trendy (in a gangster-ish kind of way).

I bought cheap flip flops for a holiday in 1991 and they're still going strong - they're so comfy that I even wear them if we go for a long walk, so they must have covered thousands of miles, though they're a bit doddgy in the rain (and the flip-flopping noise gets on my wick a bit).

nicki_2

Blimey my wardrobe is "new born" compared to some! The oldest thing I have is 2 Hawkshead thermal longsleved tops I bought in a sale in the autumn of 1999 when I used to go and visit my (now) OH when we first started dating. He used to do a paperround that required a driver as it was spread out over the whole of Ulverston and some mornings he had to do "Glaxo" which meant that he had to go and sit outside the factory in the van with papers and chocolate bars for about an hour or so in the freezing cold. I think I only did Glaxo twice or so with him (when I was visiting) as it was so cold and thats why I bought the tops. They're great though, they may be faded, stetched out of shape and everything (one even has paint down the front ) BUT they are the only item of clothing in my wardrobe from pre-pregancy days as they fitted me throughout my pregnancy as well - even at 9 months I was still wearing them. I think they have to be the best £10 I ever spent on clothing.

RacyRed

One of my favorite skirts is a at least 40 years old, possibly more. It is still in use because it was made in such a way that it can be expanded or taken in simply by moving the hooks and buttons.

I don't get many opportunities to wear it these days, but it is still very much an active part of my wardrobe. It can still look fantastic worn with a chinese style top (it is black silk with a dragon and pergoda pattern).

In the "kept but not worn" box I have some wonderful cream elbow length kid gloves, a pair of early 20th century button-up boots and various other bits and bobs. Hmm, time I had another look in there

Becles

I've still got my old PE top from school. It's really soft cotton and has never faded or gone saggy. It was worn at school between 88-91, and I still wear it now. I also kept the red gym skirt, but I've no idea why as I've never worn it again!

I've got a body warmer that is years old, but I've no idea how old exactly. It belonged to my Grandad and he used to wear it in the garden. My Gran gave me it when he died. It reminds me of him when I'm working in the garden.

Sarahsaver

I have got things which may be old due to coming from a charity shop, but IMHO that doesn't really count. I got smaller and smaller after each child so from being a 14 pre dd in 1997, then down to 12 after ds1 I'm now an 8 to 10. I do have a handbag I bought in 1996, and some jewellery but that doesnt really count either. Even my waterproof cagoule type thing got too big :rolleyes: The hidden cost of weight loss!
Oh just remembered I have a 'Cure' t-shirt from when I was a gothy teenager but I dont wear it I just cant get rid of it;)

MATH

myrnahaz wrote:

I bought cheap flip flops for a holiday in 1991 and they're still going strong - they're so comfy that I even wear them if we go for a long walk, so they must have covered thousands of miles, though they're a bit doddgy in the rain (and the flip-flopping noise gets on my wick a bit).

1991 must have been a good vintage year flip-flop wise. I've just counted back and I bought my fav pair that year at Mablethorpe and they are still going strong. The flip flopping don't get on my wick (does others tho) Mrs MATH begs me to wear 'proper' shoes but I tell here it ain't allowed until after labor day. hehehe.

Having given it some thought a lot of my wardrobe is much older than I first thought and it's the cheap and cheerful stuff that has lasted the longest.

Another scary fashion statement is my sisters 1970's 'I love the Rollers' school bag which my Dad STILL uses to take his snap to work. He works nights tho so only goes out under cover of darkness so that's a blessing. LOL

black-saturn

I'm still wearing a couple of things I bought in the late 80's. I tend to make clothes last as long as possible.

recovering_spendaholic

I have a pair of "smart" work trousers which I bought from Littlewoods catalogue in 1991 to go back to work after having my first child. They are in a stretcy slinky sort of material and have been worn and washed literally hundreds of times and are as good as new! I also have a pair of trainers which I bought in 1998 that also look as good as new (mind you that could be to do with the fact that I am not the fittest person in the world!) and my daughter who is 8 wears a jumper on very cold days which my Mum made for me in 1968 - it looks almost "bodenish" if you know what I mean!! A bit off topic, but when I was preganant with aforementioned 8 year old I had piles and my Mum's friend brought round some haemorroid cream which she said was really fantastic. I thanked her and she asked me to make sure that I returned it as she had bought it in 1938 when she was on a cyclying holiday in France and you couldn't get it in this country. It even had the applicator nozzle on it!!!shudder!!!!!! I didn't use it but told her I had and returned it to her and she continued to use it!!

shetitasatic

Eeeuurgh!!!!!

nabowla

The two oldest items in my wardrobe both belonged to my grandmother: a beautiful 1930s fur stole and a late 50's/early 60's silk Chinese dress. I wear the stole occasionally if I'm going out and have worn the dress on special occasions (although I need to lose a stone if I'm to get into it again )