YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Old Friends

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Old Friends https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:56:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Sal on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326181 Mon, 12 Jun 2023 03:09:46 +0000 Sal 2326181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting thread. I am not sure if I quite have anything that qualifies although I have older pieces including some statements. I always feel good in this pleated dress from 2015. I now wear with a blazer mostly - it doesn’t get a heap of wear but it’s aged well. These tango shoes from 2014 still make me smile. I love them. My camel boots from 2012 or 2012 are still worn. They were workhorses - not quite so much - but somehow the shape still works now. Jenni NZ on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326178 Mon, 12 Jun 2023 02:50:14 +0000 Jenni NZ 2326178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have some, I wouldn’t necessarily travel with them but they feel either signature or just so comfortable that I always want to have them available. I did take the new version of #3 away to Canada for the two cross-Pacific plane flights as I always freeze in planes especially when they are 13-hour flights! Interestingly these are all winter items. #1 is the oldest item in my wardrobe that I bought myself- the Mondi jumper (sweater) from 1986. That was the most I had ever spent- $300 in 1986! Was encouraged by my fiancé. I wore it and wore it into the 90s, put it away for maybe a decade, brought it back out about 2010 and have worn several times every winter since. Sorry have deleted old pics but funnily enough am wearing it today. #2 is also a jumper/sweater, you can just see it in the pic below, inherited from Mum after she died in 1999, I suspect she bought it mid-1990s. So comfortable, navy base with teal and bright blue trees, tiki (a Maori motif) and kiwi on it. #3 Under both these I like to wear a “skivvy”, mock-neck. (Not seen in the below pic which was actually a late Spring holiday one year and I put up with any itchy neck.) They help my neck to not be itched by the wool and are not tight like true turtlenecks can be. I originally bought 3 in 2007 and still have and wear the black one! I edited out the pink and bright blue 2017 partly after the forum said the pink one looked floppy around the neck. Decided this year I wanted more choice of them and re-bought, size 12 instead of the original size 14, another black, another bright blue exactly the same as the one I edited out (blow!) and one navy. All have been worn. I feel annoyed that I bought the same colour but it’s so great with the tiki/kiwi bright blue. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326133 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 16:23:27 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2326133@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love this concept, and I'm going to go look at my closet with fresh eyes.   CarolS on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326099 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 13:46:37 +0000 CarolS 2326099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to dream of being that person with the perfect, envy-inducing cowboy boot. Ok, now that I’m reminded of, I still do. Your old friends are totally fabulous Jenn. I can just imagine how that boot just adds a certain attitude to whatever you pair it with. And that Johnny Was coat is a total signature! Anonymous on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326063 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 10:22:41 +0000 Anonymous 2326063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The only really old piece of clothing I have is my wedding dress- about 20 years old, but lots of older accessories. Thought of my peacock bags- which I still love, though the color scheme is more Winter than I'm wearing now. Maybe my crescent moon earrings? Barbara Diane on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2326051 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 05:23:49 +0000 Barbara Diane 2326051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven’t worn my old friends for a while. I have 2 that come to mind and both are magical. My weight has fluctuated over several sizes over the years and both always fit. One is a black and white false wrap dress and one is a long top with a large abstract multicolored floral print. I wore the dress to many occasions that were nice but not not super fancy and I dressed the top more casually for some events and at least once with a long black skirt for a formal event. I wore both of them so often to family events that some people probably thought I didn’t have anything else that nice. That’s one reason I haven’t worn them recently. Anonymous on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325845 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:42:32 +0000 Anonymous 2325845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My old friends are mostly travel pieces and plain, not prints.  I love EF pants which can be rolled up on hotter days.  I have a black pair textured with ribbing and a matching bomber jacket that can be worn alone or under a coat.  They have been to many continents with old friend black aquifer waterproof booties.  Those have been replaced but the new ones are not as comfortable.   Janet on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325838 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:04:05 +0000 Janet 2325838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’m realizing most of my truest old style friends are accessories — scarves and rings in particular! ChristelJ on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325831 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:11:01 +0000 ChristelJ 2325831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So fun to see everyone's dear old wardrobe friends. I have a silk Max Studio blouse that I thrifted over ten years ago. It makes me feel amazing every time I wear it, maybe because it speaks to my love of the '70s, and is a little bolder and less pretty than I normally wear. Sort of expresses a shadow self. I have worn it to a lot of rock and roll shows. My Frye boots are another dear companion, also over ten years old. Jaime on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325817 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 03:00:52 +0000 Jaime 2325817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great question! I do have many but the first that came to mind are a Margiela leather jacket, a pair of Ann Demeulemeester trousers, and a vintage Helmut Lang jeans jacket. All in my closet a very long time, and in existence even longer. The Cat on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325806 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 01:06:07 +0000 The Cat 2325806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenn and others, interesting to hear about your "old friends." Among my own "old friends" that have travelled with me many times (and are associated with lots of dear memories) are: ● White puffer from 1988. ● Black&white&grey Nike sneakers from 2013. ● Silver jewellery from several different decades. Timeless and very versatile for my casual elegant style. ● Silver midaxi wrap skirt from around 2005. ● Straight red pants from around 2000. ● Straight blue jeans from around 2008. ● Straight black trouser jeans from around 2008. ● Cobalt round-neck pullover in thin wool, from around 2010. ● Cobalt oblong silk scarf with coin-sized white polka dots, from around 2007. Bijou on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325804 Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:53:39 +0000 Bijou 2325804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm loving how these items selected are really signature to everyone's style. The three that I will pick that are great travel companions and have been on adventures with me are: Lace dress - can be dressed up or down and works regardless of the weather, can be worn with sandals or boots and a jacket - bought in 2018, packs down to nothing and does not crease; Bao Bao bag - this iridescent one is my most used bag and has the perfect colours for my wardrobe - bought in 2019, a great travel companion as it is robust, packs flat and is super lightweight; My beacon coat - I love the 1960's vibe and just how fun and happy this swing coat is - bought in 2015 for a trip with my young son who I did not want to lose, the bright pink made me stand out in a sea of black. Irina on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325792 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 23:18:07 +0000 Irina 2325792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Still miss my old oxfords from Nine West (!!!). Resoled them twice, they were the most comfortable and good looking shoes. Traveled with me to Prague, Italy and France.  <div>I hope my first Marimekko dress will become that forever piece for me. Every time I wear it I receive compliments from strangers. With one exception - nobody cared when I wore it Florida. And I hold it agains Florida!</div> Suz on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325791 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 23:05:02 +0000 Suz 2325791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes! Your old friends are definite signature items -- statements with personality and yet some amount of ease to them, ease in terms of flexibility. They make any outfit mysteriously better.  I was thinking about whether I currently have any "old friends" that would travel with me almost anywhere. I used to -- but I think my style has shifted just a little bit so the ones that once qualified might not, now.  In the past, I'd have said my Reiss jacket. but not so much, these days. Interesting to ponder.  Style Fan on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325767 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 20:09:26 +0000 Style Fan 2325767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also thought about my "old friends" when I read the article.  I am packing for a road trip, so this will be useful.  It also depends on the season. My three are probably: Burberry Trench - 17 years old Jesse Kamm Sailor Pants - bought 2017  Amber Bracelet that Mr. SF bought me (no find yet) They would be on the list if I could still wear my Fryes - 20 years old. Janet on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325763 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:33:40 +0000 Janet 2325763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cowboy boots are kinda like that! I have a very old pair in tan that I don’t wear often, but enjoy them when I do. My old cobalt blue leather moto is definitely an old friend. I’d have to ponder what the others are. Hmm. The Bao Bao backpack is becoming one — a workhorse that always gets comments and compliments and suits my style so well that all my other bags pale in comparison. LJP on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325754 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:41:23 +0000 LJP 2325754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wish I did ! I can only imagine how cool those boots and duster are in person . Angie on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325750 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 18:32:56 +0000 Angie 2325750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenn, your old friends are forever besties and signature to your style! Pearls. All my pearls. Besties and signature too :) Star (Lise) on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325743 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:16:43 +0000 Star (Lise) 2325743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a dress that is an old friend.  25 years old and still looks great and works for every occasion.  I have worn her hundreds of times and she may just be starting to show a bit of wear now.  A slip style dress, black with a black and burgundy floral overlay.  When I bought it in a boutique in Melville, Johannesburg I was told it is silk.  I am not so sure because it has held up so well even with machine washing makes me think it may be something more synthetic.   RobinF on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325741 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:02:20 +0000 RobinF 2325741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was thinking about this as I read UmmLila's post! I don't think I do, I have favorites that I always feel good wearing, but I tend to wear them out so the things I can think of are not old favorites. At least yet... I don't think I have ever bought anything super high quality so maybe that is why. Jenn on "Old Friends" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/old-friends#post-2325733 Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:31:40 +0000 Jenn 2325733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ UmmLila j<a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/three-travel-pieces">ust posted </a>a great article by author Joyce Maynard about her three indispensable travel pieces. In it, she said, "All three of these items share one quality: I’ve owned them for a long time. They are like old friends." Like Maynard, I have a few "old friend" pieces, althought they don't always travel with me. My cowboy boots would also be on my list.  Mine are Ariats, purchased in 2011, the second oldest things in my wardrobe. Whenever I wear them, women always stop me on the street to compliment my outfits.  Interestingly, they rarely compliment the boots, themselves, but my Ariats have a magical capability to make any outfit they're paired with infinitely more interesting. My second old friend is my Johnny Was duster.  You all know it already. I insisted on bringing it with me to Europe even though it wasn't 100% practical because wearing it makes me feel like myself.  I bought it in 2018 and, it was the most expensive wardrobe item I'd ever bought aside from my wedding dress.  It was worth it. I don't think I have a third item quite yet, but I'm always hoping for that perfect combination of special and timeless. How about you? Do you have any "old friends" in your closet?