Despite my aversion to capsule wardrobes, I’m very much in favour of only buying stuff you really, really like and then wearing said stuff to death. Where I believe I differ from the majority of people is that when I say this, I’m not only thinking of your basic, everyday pieces. My firm conviction is that you should wear your most fabulous pieces all the time, too.

I know that it’s not always feasible – even I have limits when it comes to office dressing – but often the obstacles are purely in our heads. Sometimes we think that certain things are only appropriate for certain occasions or we have very set views on how things can be worn.* Or we want to keep the most beautiful clothes for something special. Obviously, I’m not saying you should do anything you feel uncomfortable with, but sometimes it’s worth re-examining your habits and beliefs. There might be some untapped potential for enjoyment.

Let’s take this kimono, for example. I bought it in Tokyo Harajuku district, in a small shop that sold old Kabuki theatre costumes. One would not necessarily describe a floor-length kimono jacket as „easy to wear“, but one might be wrong. You can throw it on without any effort, it doesn’t demand a flawless figure and it can be surprisingly practical. The most difficult aspect is that it’s long, but the kimono-inspired pieces in shops a the moment (and there are many, thanks to Attico) are shorter and therefore more versatile.

As is usually the case, you can dress an item up or down. Pairing the kimono with jeans is a more modern version and a clever, unconventional way to create impact. You can easily pick flats instead of heels for an even less try-hard take, but this specific jacket is simply too long for that. Wearing a satin slip dress AND a kimono is, I do realise, a pretty full-on look. But adding the jacket actually makes the otherwise very revealing dress much less intimidating (and warmer!) – you can remove the kimono later if you feel comfortable enough to do that. Or not.

Talking about the restrictions we create ourselves: I wore this jacket for the first time right after I bought it, for a dinner in Tokyo. I was nervous and afraid that locals would find my non-traditional interpretation (it was the jeans look) disrespectful. What actually happened was the complete opposite: people seemed genuinely delighted that I was wearing a Japanese garment and not offended at all – even asking their colleagues to come and take a look. I’m of course not an expert in deciphering the true feelings of the Japanese, but if they were only pretending, they were going to extraordinary lengths to deceive the Westerners.

*For example the slip dress I’m wearing here – and that is not really a proper dress at all, but part of a two-layered gown – I’ve worn with trainers, with heels and jewellery, with a kimono as shown here and to bed when staying in a hotel and longing for some glamour. I’ve enjoyed it every single time.

Pictured: kimono jacket from a vintage shop in Tokyo, Riina Põldroos dress, Gucci t-shirt, Zara jeans, Prada shoes. MUAH: Lana Vallo Studio. Images: Marin Sild.