Fashion Frolics
Ruby Warrington writes on all things fashion.

The waist, so says the great global fashion barometer, is back this autumn.

Now, if we were going to read some kind of woman-hating conspiracy theory into this (let's, it's fun), it might go something like this. Skinny jeans happen and everybody tried to down-size to zero; feminist backlash sparks counter-trend for smock dresses, we all breathe out and expand to size 14; fashion industry panics because you can sell more clothes to neurotic skinny people, and give us 'the waist'. You need a waist to wear the waist, you see, which means we'll all be back on the cabbage soup between now and Christmas. And as luck would have it (ta-da!) one of the season's key accessories - the big, waist cinching belt - is also the perfect diet aid.

Seriously, have you ever tried eating a three course meal in one? Recommended for dates in that they also, when worn with pencil skirt and slinky satin blouse, facilitate the ever-erogenous sexy secretary look, they are also best avoided when said date is likely to involve any kind of eating.

My hubby Simon treated me to a romantic weekend in Stockholm the last time 'the waist' was the thing. Half way through my starter, at the most expensive restaurant in town, I announced that I couldn't eat another thing and proceeded to get legless - knocking over a wine glass and flirting with the waiter - while he polished off the best part of two dinners. Hardly a look that works with sophisticated tailoring, I think you'll agree.