Behold, my new trainers! Despite having owned them for less than a fortnight they already feel like old friends because, well, they are exactly the same as a pair of trainers I recently retired…

Let me explain. After two years of solid service I had to finally face facts that my Nike Dunk Sky Hi Essential Leather trainers (v1) were no longer wearable in polite society (they were a bit, erm, smelly, we’ll leave it there). But I loved those trainers. With their hidden wedge they gave me at least a couple of inches of extra height (which is very important when you’re not quite 5’4”), making my legs look longer without the discomfort that comes ooh, about ten minutes after I put on a pair of heels these days.

I wasn’t prepared to live without a pair of Nike Dunk Sky Hi Essential Leather trainers in my life (I mean they’re even called Essential trainers, right?!). Cue a lengthy and increasingly frantic search to find another pair in my size, which eventually resulted in success at ASOS. Hurrah! Crisis averted.

Funny thing is Nike Dunk Sky Hi Essential Leather trainers are far from the only item of clothing I’ve bought more than once. It’s true. When it comes to buying the same thing over and over again I’m a repeat offender, guilty as charged…

I’ve lost count of the number of pairs of Havaianas flip flops I’ve bought over the years. No other flip flops come close for comfort, looks and longevity. And, while I’ve flirted with coloured and patterned versions, I always go back to black. It’s a similar but different story with Converse. I nearly always have a pair of low tops on the go. Plain white ones were always my preference, but the last two pairs I’ve owned have been animal print, like these. Well, animal prints are basically a neutral these days.

Footwear isn’t the only area of clothing where I display such an astonishing lack of originality and sense of adventure. Having discovered Topshop’s Leigh skinny jeans last year I now own three pairs, one blue, one black and one grey. Every now and again I try to break out of my self imposed clothing rut. A couple of weeks ago I tried on a pair of flared jeans in Topshop. Despite having been well into flares in my twenties pulling on a pair now felt weird. Like I was in costume. Just not me. So I bought a black pair of Leighs instead.

It seems that the older I get the increasingly risk averse I’m becoming. Perhaps it’s because I don’t buy as much new stuff as I used to and so I’m less prepared to take a punt on something that might not work out? Maybe I just have a clearer idea of what suits me and so I’m less inclined to be won over by the latest whatever it is? It is weird as someone who, for a long time, has been partial to a print, the idea of a uniform – albeit a very casual uniform in shades of black, grey, white and blue denim – is starting to appeal? What’s happening to me?! Does it even matter?! I’m not sure!

Anyone else buy the same thing over and over again? What’s your stuck on repeat buy? Moved, or at least would like to move, to a simpler aesthetic lately? As ever, do share below!