For those of us trying to break free of our lockdown loungewear, there is no better autumn outfit

Every time I wear a sweater dress I wonder why I ever wear anything else. There is actually no better autumn outfit. The judge’s decision is final and she will be taking no further questions at this time. In a sweater dress I feel slightly mysterious, possibly a little bit French. Which is miraculous, since I have absolutely zero mystique and am not remotely French. Nonetheless, in a sweater dress I somehow feel as if I might be on my way to eat a chic solo dinner while reading a novel in a neighbourhood bistro, before strolling home, probably shoulder-robing a trench coat, under softly glowing streetlights. I fancy myself the kind of person who makes occasional pithy contributions to conversation, rather than the witterer-on that I really am. The type of woman who has excellent posture and a collection of interesting ceramics.

But most of all, I feel really comfy. As comfy as I do in a tracksuit – more, in fact. Is it too soon to speak ill of the tracksuit – the nun’s habit of lockdown? It’s beginning to feel like a hangover from too much time at home. Stockholm syndrome, the fashion edition.

It still feels vaguely blasphemous to raise the point that loungewear is not exactly an aesthetic delight, except perhaps on Hailey Bieber, but perhaps it is time to gently break free. To think for ourselves again even, rather than wearing the same thing as everyone else on your Zoom screen. Comfort is paramount, yes, but it isn’t just about an elasticated waist. I’d hazard a guess that I am not alone among grown women in that I feel more confident – and as a result more relaxed – in a sweater dress than in a tracksuit.