AS a young man, I spent a lot of time gazing into the windows of smart men's tailors and wishing I could afford the fashionable goods on offer: Austin Reed, Hector Powe ("The tailor of taste" was the trademark), Dunn and Co, Bernard Luper (who always had a tape measure round his neck at the ready for prospective customers) and many others whom I aspired to be dressed by.

Alas, my finances only ran to the price ranges of lesser garment suppliers such as John Collier, whose familiar television advert "John Collier, John Collier, the window to watch" still rings in my ears.

Many of the old names have gone but thanks to the many charity shops up and down every high street, I now have a wardrobe full of designer names of yesteryear, all in mint condition and not one costing more than £10.

Pride of my collection is a very smart, short casual jacket, my best buy yet at an amazing £2.49 (was £5.49 but reduced in the spring sale).

A famous song tells about a lady called Second Hand Rose, who never wears anything new. That probably makes me Second Hand Mike but at least I get to wear the fashions of yesteryear I dearly love.

-Michael Parker, Lewes Road, Brighton