When sales reach their sell-by date

Susie Boyt attempts to balance the merits of deferred gratification against those of having it all,... ‘and now’.

Life is suite in the lap of luxury

For me, cities should be dirty. I like a bit of litter and rubble, writes Susie Boyt. Yet the elegance of Athens surprised me and its glamour was so reviving.

Any day is good for compliments

Susie Boyt was at a memorial stone-setting ceremony this week and couldn’t take her eyes off the handbag carried by the principal mourner.

Travel-savvy for the family’s jewels

Susie Boyt is fed up with stowing her rings in an old baby sock, which she is sure will one day be thrown out by housekeeping.

Revenge of the ruffled blouse

What started with a desultory little sub-greeting leads Susie Boyt to a perilous hunt for a garment that might help her rewrite the past.

A cabbie and a little of what you fancy

Each year, a taxi driver tells Susie Boyt, he likes to buy his friend not just a dress, coat, hat, bag and shoes, but also underwear.

The not-so merry godmother

At a recent baptism, I spent a large part of the service trying to determine why my services had been eschewed, writes Susie Boyt.

To avoid a dressing-down, don’t come between friends

The occasions when you fall head over heels in love with a dress are destined to come round less and less frequently, writes Susie Boyt.

Love to shop, hate to buy

What does one wear to visit a legend?

Girl, interrupting (constantly)

Why I’m full of beans

For a minute or two, all is well in the world

Do I look typically English?

Personalised stationery is so, er, personal

Lie back and think of H&M

Drop in status hovering over the returns desk

Time for a change of atmosphere