There are a few things that our generation have always been able to rely on, year in year out: there will always be a TV channel showing Friends, if you look hard enough; there will always be a story about Princess Diana on the cover of the Daily Express; and there will always be Topshop.

When we look back at our fondest memories, they are peppered with Topshop buys. As teenagers we never missed a Saturday pilgrimage, and even in our most affluent, grown-up moments (admittedly these are infrequent), we've been unable to resist its lure. Not only that, but certain items from the store's archive are still as familiar to us as our university mates. Below, the 9 Topshop pieces that tell the story of our last decade in outfits.

1. The Moto distressed denim mini, circa 2001 onwards

In this photo taken in 2006, Miranda Kerr was quintessential Topshop in her Moto denim skirt and little black waistcoat. But she was actually a little late to catch up – the skirt was a summer staple of our A-level years, and it was with great sadness that we gave it to the charity shop in our twenties (having realised it wasn't very flattering on fully grown thighs).

2. The Celia Birtwell dress, 2006

Celia Birtwell designed four wildly successful collections for Topshop – her first, in spring 2006, sold out in London in the first 24 hours. Kate Moss was one of many fans of this draped floral dress.

3. Grey Baxter jeans, circa 2006 onwards

In the heady early days of the skinny jean, none was so adored as the grey Baxter. Kate, naturally, started it – tucking her grey jeans into riding boots when she was out and about with Pete Doherty. We had no rocker boyfriend but we did manage to stretch to the £30 for a pair of Baxters, and thanks to them we felt like the bee's knees throughout 2007.

4. The floral tea dress, 2007

Notice that a certain name keeps cropping up? This Topshop classic was one of Kate Moss's early designs and could be seen just about everywhere. If there was any downside of wearing it, it was only that you were going to bump into three other women in it by the end of the day. 

5. The military waistcoat, circa 2002 onwards

Topshop have produced many incarnations of the military waistcoat over the years, but sadly most of them are no longer to be found online. The number one essential is those official-looking gold buttons, which we seem to remember popping up on practically everything in the early 2000s.

6. The faux fur gilet, 2008

You're either a Marmite eater or you're not, and similarly you're either a gilet wearer or you're not. If you are a fan of the Kings Road favourite, you probably tried to get your hands on this excellent faux fur version – cleverly realistic in its texture and colours. Many other high street stores have tried to create a similar piece at an affordable price, but this remains the best and most recognisable example, even six years later.

7. The Biba mini-dress, 2009

As captured on Alexa Chung by the street style blogger The Arab Parrot. Biba's Topshop collection landed in 2009, designed by a 72-year-old Barbara Hulanicki. This was the stand-out piece, also seen on The City's Whitney Port and what seemed like 10% of British girls that summer.

8. Blue skeleton leaf print maxi skirt, 2011

Olivia Palermo gave this pleated skirt a publicity boost by wearing it to fashion week; alas, it was from the limited Premium range, so not in everyone's grasp. We still remember it fondly though.

9. The summer parka, 2012

There's always a shortage of decent spring coats, and Topshop's 'simple parka' slipped effortlessly into the role. It's got the nonchalant look of a coat that knows it's desirable but doesn't have to try; basically, it's the James Dean of outerwear. If you've still got one, hold it tight and never let it go.