Today I took a step towards achieving a long held dream. Previously I thought it too frivolous, too odd, too peculiar to indulge in. But today, waiting for my young man to arrive in town, I went to browse through the patterns and found that Simplicity were all on sale at £3.65 each.

Reader, I bought 4055.

Let me explain. I am at home a lot. I write, I craft and I accept a lot of parcels for my neighbours because they have real jobs. Finding comfortable clothes to sit and work in at home while feeling respectable enough to answer the door to Royal Mail, Fedex and UPS men is difficult. What could be better than a regency gown? No uncomfortable waistband when the biscuit barrell forces its way down my throat, no need to worry about unwaxed legs, about straps falling down or visible underwear. All is concealed, all is left free.

But it does seem a little strange doesn’t it? For a 21st century woman to need a two hundred year old dress design to work in at home? I do love Jane Austen (_a lot_) but wanting to be Anne Elliot is not the reason I want the dress. I really do think it will be comfortable to work in.

And I really want to open the door to the delivery guy in a frock. Possibly with gloves. Or is that taking it too far?