My wife said, “I bought you something to wear.” I think my face said everything.

My wife and I have been married long enough for her to know exactly what my face means when she says, “I bought you something.”

She's also been married to me long enough not to care.

Apparently, she'd decided that my usual rotation of jeans, T-shirts and the same two jumpers could do with some attention. I disagreed. My wardrobe philosophy for the last twenty years has essentially been: if the old one still fits, why replace it?

Then she pulled out a cardigan.

A cardigan.

I tried it on mainly because refusing would have turned a thirty-second conversation into a twenty-minute one.

The irritating part was that she was right.

The moment I realised I might have judged her purchase slightly too quickly.

It wasn't what I pictured when she said “cardigan”

I'd expected something neat, fitted and slightly too smart for me.

The Nathaniel from Merritt London wasn't really any of those things.

It has a relaxed, oversized shape, a proper V-neck and a simple button front. I had a T-shirt and jeans on when I first tried it, and that was really all it needed. It felt more like an easy extra layer than something I had to dress up for.

More importantly, it was comfortable.

No stiff fabric. Nothing tight around my middle. Nothing that made me feel as though I'd suddenly started dressing as someone else.

I looked in the mirror, looked at my wife and made the mistake of saying, “Actually, this isn't bad.”

She enjoyed that considerably more than was necessary.

“She hadn't tried to change how I dress. She'd simply found a more presentable version of the clothes I already feel comfortable in.”

The real surprise came a few days later

Saturday morning, I was heading out to do a couple of jobs.

T-shirt. Jeans. Trainers.

Without really thinking about it, I picked up the Nathaniel and put it on again.

That was probably the point at which I admitted she'd made a good purchase.

It works because there isn't much to think about. I can wear it open when it's milder, button it up when the temperature drops and put a shirt or T-shirt underneath depending on where I'm going.

And with autumn properly starting now, that extra knitted layer is becoming increasingly useful. Merritt describes Nathaniel as a knit specifically for autumn and winter, which is exactly where I see it fitting into my wardrobe over the next few months.

A few days later I caught myself putting it on without anybody suggesting it. That rather settled the argument.

It also solved a problem I hadn't realised I had

I don't particularly enjoy getting dressed up.

But there are plenty of occasions where my oldest jumper feels a bit too scruffy and a shirt on its own feels like I've made more effort than I wanted to.

Lunch out. A pint at the weekend. Visiting friends. Going somewhere with my wife where I know she'll ask whether I'm really wearing that fleece.

The Nathaniel sits nicely in the middle.

I still feel as comfortable as I do in my usual clothes, but I look like I've made considerably more effort than I actually have.

That's a trade I'll happily take.

Same jeans I'd normally wear. Same sort of T-shirt. One change, and apparently I'm presentable enough for lunch.

I'm not about to become interested in fashion

My wife can relax on that front.

But I understand why she chose this now.

Nathaniel comes in five colours, has that roomy relaxed fit and is made as a warmer layer for the colder months ahead. It's currently £39.95 instead of £80 in Merritt London's Seasonal Clearance.

There are additional savings if you want more than one piece too: 15% extra off two, 20% off three and 25% off four or more across the current sale.

I've already been looking at another colour.

I haven't told my wife that yet.