What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

Material things don’t last forever. After a while, Macs will not support the latest operating system. Cars and automatic watches need to be serviced. Clothing, sneakers, and backpacks will go out of style. You get the drill. Consumer culture inspires more expenditure. Our urges and our desires are ephemeral.

I’m going to name a few of my clothing items and accessories that have aged well. Voila!

1. My indigo Jag jacket. This one has sentimental value. I bought it on the day I handed in my Honours thesis. I tried both the small and the medium, ultimately picking the latter. The jacket has a full zip that has stood the test of time. It likewise has a drawcord hood and two front pockets. The contrast blue panel on the shoulders add some spice. Fit-wise, it’s perfect. It’s Goldilocks length, not too long or short. The material is ‘cotton’. I wouldn’t call it a winter warmer, as it doesn’t have a lining or fill. It’s more like a fall or spring essential. Through the years, I’ve utilised the hoodie quite often. The colour is lovely and a contrast to plain blue. The hood is nice and comfy, too. The jacket features a ribbed hemline and sleeves.

Since then, I’ve bought many other branded jackets. I’ve got a green, packable Macpac down jacket. Two zip up jackets off Superdry. A black fleece zip up from Tommy. Others from Converse and Gap. All of them are medium. Quick aside: my Tommy, grey Superdry, and Macpac are as pictured above. Most were bought online. Regardless, every year, I use the Jag hoodie.

2. Plain blue Jag LS henley. Another Jag item, another winner. Bought this at DFO Homebush. Back when Jag was still relevant, I went there with a friend. I saw the long-sleeved henley, tried it on, and bought the small size. The Henley is minimalist, your classic navy with five buttons and a front pocket. Perfect for spring, it’s made for transeasonal weather. Like the zip hoodie, the material is cotton. 2024 would mark its tenth year in my wardrobe.

The LS henley was the third one I bought here. My second henley was an XS blue from Country Road (CR). It did not age well as the sizing was off. Since the Jag Henley, I’ve purchased a green linen blend long sleeve henley (pictured below) and another plain brown one, both from CR. They look like keepers.

3. Zip jacket from Flemington market. This one is even older, if you could believe that. I used to love wearing baggy clothes. While everyone was after slim items, I would get duds that were two sizes up. Now, the opposite is true. Loose clothes are in but, these days, I prefer a regular fit. Not long after our Sydney return, we visited Flemington a few times. The markets are known for their cheap produce and dry goods. My Dad used to buy fish and other seafood there. I was too young to remember his loot.

Anyway, Mum and I bought some skivvies on the cheap. We also nabbed this catchy green XL jacket. It had a zip and a nice design. They were out of sizes. Note that I only used this at home. Though I liked elephant clothes, this did not extend to my uni getup. These days, I use the jacket mainly as outerwear. The zipper still works and it’s held its shape. In short, it’s been a keeper.

4. Nike trainers. I bought these grey rubber shoes from their Birkenhead Point outlet. See also: Boxing Day Blitz: Birkenhead Point, NSW. I rarely use them. Being trainers, they’re more suited for running and exercise. You can’t use them in the rain. They’re too gaudy for casual wear. Made in Vietnam, they’ve outlasted my New Balance trainers, which got ruined in the deluge. They have a contrast white sole and laces. They wouldn’t be on my list of winter shoes. More like a summer and spring pair. Like the Jag top, they’ve lasted eleven years.

Other than the Nike kicks, I have a size 9 Hush Puppies pair that I no longer use. Mum was wise to get the size 10 but I found it too loose. I wish I listened to her. As a result, I have the wrong size. All my other pairs were bought no earlier than 2017. In total, I have seventeen.

5. Sportscraft rugby top. Bought eleven years back, this marks my first David Jones purchase. It was on sale for $49.95, with a further twenty five percent off. I got the small/medium size. The jumper features a contrast collar with white stripes adding style. In eclipse black, the material is 100 percent cotton. Apart from being branded, the jumper is cool. While missing pockets, it has a timeless design. Furthermore, it has retained its shape in the wash. Rugbies aren’t made like this anymore.

For a while, I only had the one rugby top. In 2020, I grabbed this cute Reserve one from Myer. It was not the right size but they ran out of mediums. I wore it for a few years. I also bought this grey Turkey-made Superdry rugby with the contrast collar. The buttons are tricky. I like how, unlike others, it doesn’t have massive branding. It’s not pure cotton though. Note that both of my branded polos are pictured below. With another pick from Reserve, I now have three rugbies.

6. Anti-theft backpack. Bought this from Strandbags, the leading bag hawker in Oz. Back in 2017, I took my time before deciding. The salesperson was getting stressed.

‘We don’t sell secondhand,’ he said.

The pack was on sale from $160 down to $120. I Afterpaid it. The style is still being sold. You could lock the zippers and say goodbye to headaches. The bag sports a decent front organiser. It likewise has a side pocket for a small water bottle. Inside the black bag is a contrast grey colour. While secure, the pack is on the small side. It only holds twenty litres. Compared to the others, it’s easily the lightest. Hard to believe that it used to be my favourite.

7. Full grain messenger satchel, bought in NZ. In 2013, I holidayed in New Zealand. We went to the Sylvia Park mall. There, I visited Strandbags, where I tossed and turned between two satchels. One was canvas and the other was full grain leather. The former was black while the latter was chestnut brown. Though the former was cheaper, the difference wasn’t much. Ultimately, I went for the leather messenger.

For some time, I used it a lot. When I watched movies, went to class, the library etc., it was my companion. Being leather, it was perfect for the rain. However, it wasn’t roomy. There are no side pockets, no twenty litres’ capacity. As a result, it was always bulging. I had to buy other packs for more heavy-duty usage. Eleven years later, it appears forgotten. Now having eight backpacks, I can’t remember the last time I used the satchel. It was too long ago. In spite of the passage of time, unlike textile mailbags, it remains low maintenance.

8. All-city champs Nike tee. This is one down the Time Machine. I used to wear this back in uni, which was ages ago. It’s a simple dark blue tee, with the aforementioned branding out front. I got a size medium. I probably bought it from Birkenhead, as they’re the only Nike store that I frequented. I remember once, while running for my train, this bloke encouraged me.

‘You’ll get it, mate.’

I wanted to respond but I was in a hurry. I used the tee a lot especially in October and November. Like the mailbag, it has ceased to be used. Regardless, it was the right size and fit. That’s saying something.

The revolving door

Possessions come and go. As I’ve stressed before, our journeys as consumers are transient. With the luck of the draw, I’ve had some good finds. Nike, Jag, and Sportscraft are my most enduring brands. In looking at my durable things, each of them tells a story.