5

Bespoke kimono, from, gulp, £400, temperleylondon.com

Does this purchase sound a bit mad? Maybe it is, but I’ve been wanting one for years. I realised during the pandemic that a beautiful housecoat was a staple of every chic woman’s wardrobe, and if it was elevated enough, could be made to behave in any number of ways: as a glamorous cardigan, a Joan Collins-style dressing gown, an evening opera coat – I could even throw it over jeans for lunch. Alice Temperley wears hers all the time and has a team of skilled embroiderers who will work on mine. I’ve picked a black one with gold and green embroidery and it will include emblems, family and personal insignia that I have chosen to make it truly mine – think Camilla’s coronation gown (although I’m not including my dog). The embroiderers are due to start on it soon. Alice has just had a big order from another client, so I must wait a little longer. I don’t mind, though

– the anticipation is everything!