I do realise that some people might be confused how a brocade skirt can be a solution to anything. A problem, yes, but a solution? Seriously, who wears brocade these days? Well, I do.

I in fact own three items in that venerable material, two of which are skirts – one in muted pink and old gold and the other in grays and silvers. Both are by Hanna Korsar and I guess I must have had them for 7 years or so. I have worn them constantly.

These skirts are much more versatile than you’d think: they pair beautifully with a simple cashmere sweater for work and with a skirt like that, you’re always ready for cocktails – especially if you just happened to have a silk shirt under that sweater. And you can, of course, go full Louis XIV and complement them with gold or silver for a ballet night.

Brocade skirts are great for travel, as they hardly crease and the patterned versions are very forgiving if you tend to spill stuff on yourself. As the fabric is so high-quality, it will serve you long and age beautifully. Because they have never really been in fashion, they have never felt entirely out of it, either (although judging by Prada S/S 2015 and Erdem A/W 2015 shows, the first might be about to change).

I think I should get another one, in forest green and bronze.