h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It took me years and years to recognise that this is the case. People make judgements about you on the basis of what you wear. It is not necessarily the right thing to do, but it happens. It is how people work unfortunately. Bearing in mind that I am a lady of erm larger than average proportions, dressing myself is something of a challenge. It is possible though to look professional, trendy and smart regardless of your size, and that is what I strive for. I am not a slave to fashion, but I know what looks good on me and what doesn't so my wardrobe reflects the bits that do make me look good. No one believes me if I tell them the size I actually am, because I dress well and try not to accentuate the problem areas.

What's item/items of clothing can you simply never bring yourself to get rid of and why?

I will never, ever, get rid of my wedding dress. Actually I am slimmer now than when I got married 7 years ago, but still. It stays!

Have you ever thrown away an item of clothing and then bitterly regretted it ever since?

Not really, no. Sure there were some jeans which fit just right, but I had worn them so much they were threadbare (literally!) and they needed to go. Or I could have scared the natives!

Do you keep old clothes that no longer fit in the vain hope that one day they will spring back to their normal size (ie, you will lose weight)?

I always get rid of the clothes that no longer fit. I don't liketo reminded of failure of diets. Luckily, I do not have a designer clothing habit, or it might be a little too expensive to so that.

Do you have an item of clothing that perhaps defines you, that you're never without? A flat cap, an Aran sweater, a pair of sandals?

I am rather fond of pashmina type scarves. I don't know why...but I am!

Do you think we buy too many clothes in this built-to-last-five-minutes culture? Do you think older clothes were made better and that's why we retain an affection for them?

I certainly agree that "build quality" has been compromised...I often have to make running repairs to my new clothes. Buttons come off, hems come undone...its dreadful! Having said that though, the clothes last as long as you want them to. I think the nostalgia for clothes tends to relate to the times you wore them, rather than the clothes themselves.