WHAT'S THE POINT OF NEW CLOTHES?

Sartorially Speaking, my philosophy is the opposite of fast fashion. I’m an adherent of wear-it-until-it-falls-offyour-body. Sometimes this brings marital discord. “You are not going out in that,” says my wife, Jocasta, as she inserts a wriggling finger into various holes in my t-shirt.

- Richard Glover

“That’s air-conditioning,” I respond as I defiantly head out the door.

Or she’ll say: “I can actually see your underwear through those jeans. You are an outrage to public decency.”

To which I reply: “Yes, but I can wear these jeans at least seven or eight more times. And if it gives others a thrill …”

My boots are even better—or should that be worse? ‘Breathing panels’ have emerged in the sides and toes. Sure, I can’t leave the house in wet weather, but, in fine conditions, these boots are my perfect companion.

To me, a treasured piece of clothing or footwear is like a map of past misfortunes: the shirt that was ripped when you fell out of a tree, the boots that were stained with agricultural chemicals the day you helped a friend on his farm, the belt with stretched holes recording the success, and failure, of various diets.