I had to smile, knowingly, when I saw the almighty kerfuffle in the press about Keira Knightley’s outfit at the Olivier Awards last week. Anyone would think she had gone out in the nuddy herself by the way they reacted. I believe her piece isn’t vintage, Miu Miu or somesuch, but novelty prints are one of my favourite things about vintage clothing. There’s really nothing new under the sun, and there’s certainly never anything new on the catwalks.

Indeed, I have a much beloved blouse by Lee Bender for Bus Stop (in almost exactly the same kind of style as Keira’s Miu Miu: repro repro) which features a delightful art deco lady with her nips out. It’s a perfect date blouse; fits beautifully anyway and there’s much entertainment to be had when the penny drops for your date.

The last date I wore it on, to my great pleasure, he turned up in a vintage print shirt as well. I like a man who can pull off a good novelty print…