If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

I have an outfit that goes everywhere with me. Under any unusual or unplanned circumstances I can appear perfectly prepared. My failsafe garment is a long, black,  linen dress. At more than ten years old it is a little grey with wear but it still fits the category of little black dress. It can easily be dyed, again, to be a Bible-black dress worthy of her original beauty . Most importantly the dress has two side pockets. I will never again buy a dress without side pockets. Whenever I travel it travels with me. Even on the most minuscule of trips.

Last week it went to Wales with me. On its own it could have been a beach dress but blinged up with some massive beads it could easily have taken me to a posh restaurant or an evening of live music.

The beads come from an old broken necklace and some beaded curtain tie backs from the eighties. The beads travel with the dress. They are the basic kit, but if packing space allows two other items squeeze in next to the little black dress.

A pair of Moccasin mules from Canada and a long length silk coat in the style of a Gentlemans Smoking Jacket from Hong Kong.

While we were in Abersoch I admired the hat our host Tricia was wearing. Then randomly in my favourite Charity shop I found one with a very similar vibe.

With just this one additional item my go anywhere kit could go anywhere. The hat is by an internationally renowned Milliner Sandra Phillips. Posh Wedding, The Royal Enclosure or a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. I have the full kit and caboodle.

The beauty of this capsule, get me looking fab outfit is the cost.

Dress £100 Flax from Dulwich Trader 10 years ago.

Beads approx £5 made from a broken necklace and curtain tiebacks from a Charity shop. Recreated 5 years ago.

Moccasin mules, £20 Zara Sale, Toronto. Last year

Silk Smoking Jacket, £20, Zara Ultra reduced Sale, Hong Kong Airport. 7 years ago.

Silk and straw hat. £10. Sandra Phillips at the local Hospice Charity Shop today.

£135 spent over the past 10 years on this capsule wardrobe. The dress may well have been worn 500 times, could easily be more.

Nothing phases this ensemble. I have even slept in the dress and babies love the beads, they are indestructible.