Inclusive fashion is a trend to be welcomed

It is pleasing to hear that Tom Ford, the fashion designer, has not dry-cleaned his pants – American for “trousers” – for months. He tells Vogue that he is so busy working and caring for his six-year-old son that he doesn’t think about what he wears, although he still knows what suits him: “Black, brown, grey. White for tennis”. Just like me.

This is part of a trend: that fashion is becoming slightly less insane. Fashion used to sell a fantasy that was less about style than money. The silly, best-dressed lists were full of wealthy wives; prosperity theology was rampant and everything considered desirable was overpriced.

No fashion designer would dare to say “This old thing? I

was doing the washing-up!” Instead, they had to pretend to enjoy living behind a velvet rope – I think Karl Lagerfeld travelled with one – while in truth they were so lonely they talked to the cat. (Karl Lagerfeld again).

Now, as fashion becomes more inclusive – Vogue, for instance, employs Paris Lees, a trans woman, as a columnist, and editor Edward Enninful’s first cover featured a mixedrace woman – it has become more honest. Participation is no longer mandatory for some, and impossible for others. Tom Ford can admit he would rather design clothes than wear them; and that is good.