True. I’ve got a pair of chaps that are a bit more than half as old as chaoticdonkey, and they’re still in good shape. Got a harness that’s even older. IIRC, I made it about 14 years ago. Unfortunately, it fits my 14-years younger body better than it fits me now.
I’m gonna need a cite for this. Pictures of you modeling the chaps and harness will do nicely. 
Essayist Joel Perry tells a funny Leather Halloween story in his book That’s Why They’re In Cages, People. He dresses in his leather gear for an office Halloween costume party and gets compliments from the office Do-Gooder until she finds out that he already had the gear. She says something about not being eligble to win because it’s not a costume if he already owned the leather.
He replies that it is a costume because the leather band is on his left arm. She looks at him quizzically and wonders why that would make a difference.
Another co-workers reveals a bit about himself by laughing at the query and remarking that it makes a world of difference.
I don’t get it. What’s the difference?
I already have been at some previous point in my life. If I remember correctly, all they sell are SNORT shoes
Ooh, I wanna take a stab at this, before the people who actually know what they’re talking about get in here and ruin it for me.
Band on the left signifies top, band on the right signifies bottom?
Good job! Though in leather circles it’s more dom/sub, but you got the gist. I am proud of you grasshopper! 
Leather 411. Believe it or not, it’s actually work safe.
wipes away a tear
It’s so nice to see the older generation of gay folk taking the younger in hand…so to speak…
Shouldn’t that be “…you get the fist …”?
Depends on the color of your hanky.
And which arm you’re wearing the armband with the red piping on…
Well, I was right. That’s neat.
On a side note, the whole red hanky thing reminds of my ex-bf trying to explain hanky codes to me, because he assumed that I, as an 18-year-old, had never heard of them. He proceeded to tell me that red was anal sex, but I didn’t feel like correcting him. It would have shattered his innocent image of me. (What can I say? I like the internet.)