My husband and I are going on one of those great train journeys from St Pancras through Europe over the New Year for nine days. Conscious that we need clothes for in-train dinner, outside sightseeing and hotel dining, I’d like a capsule wardrobe. We will transport our luggage ourselves so don’t want too many cases. I am in my mid-fifties, size 14-16.

It sounds terrific but comfort will need to be a major factor. All that sitting about means you don’t want anything too tight, particularly around the waist. This is what I would do: I’d first find a pair of smart but really comfortable trousers, and for those who are not as slim as they once were, Wall (www.wall-london.com) is a great place to start. It has several options but probably the most useful are the black cashmere and silk cropped pull-on trousers in black or grey for £135 – divinely comfortable. Obviously, you then have lots of options – sweaters, blouses and T-shirts, or the incredibly pretty, stripy/lacy top by Erotokritos (www.my-wardrobe.com, reduced to £150, from £215). If it’s very cold, team it with a plain cashmere sweater and you can jazz the look up with some good jewellery (I don’t mean expensive – just well chosen).

Uniqlo is selling cashmere sweaters starting at somewhere around £35, but Marks & Spencer has racks full, in all sorts of colours. I’d keep the Erotokritos sweater for evenings as it has a dressier edge. To make the top earn its keep, I’ve chosen a chic but comfortable and easy bell-shaped skirt from Sara Berman. This should do you for all the smarter dinners. Then you need a soft and easy wrap – I’ve chosen the wonderfully comfortable grey cashmere knitted version by Calypso (£295 from www.net-a-porter.com). It’s long and warm enough for most purposes, can be worn over the Wall trousers and sweater outfit as well as over the Sara Berman skirt and top. If the weather goes on being as cold as it is now you’d better take along a proper coat as well.

Finally, take a good dress that looks smart enough for lunches or dinners. I’ve chosen a dress from Hoss Intropia, a label you may not yet have discovered that does gorgeous skirts, tops and dresses.

There are shops at 211-213 Regent Street, London W1, and 27 Sloane Square, London SW1. One dress (£195) is in plain dark navy and again could look dressier with a funky necklace. You could also put under it a long-sleeved cashmere jumper, team it with dark tights and add some good boots.

Have a great time.

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