London, Dec 5 : Women keep their favourite piece of clothing for an average of 12 years – which is longer than the length of many marriages – according to a British survey.

The study also confirmed what many men already knew – despite splashing thousands of pounds on clothes women only wear a third of their wardrobe.

The woman''s favourite item, which on an average costs less than 50 pounds, is kept for 12 years, the research for The Clothes Show Live revealed.

It may be a skirt, a dress, or a pair of shoes, but it is what a woman will feel the most attractive in, reports the Telegraph.

The finding underlines the deep attachment many feel to particular pieces of clothing.

Gavin Brown, the show''s managing director, said: "It seems that women have a lasting affinity with their wardrobes - 12 years is a long time in the shelf life of an item of clothing." (ANI)