Real stories · The jumper with two necklines

One jumper, two necklines — the buttons decide, and I've stopped packing spares

The jumper with two necklines — that's what this is. I'm 67, and necklines are a daily calculation nobody talks about. High necks are warm but can crowd the face by afternoon; V-necks flatter but let the draught in; and so the jumper drawer splits into two camps, and I stand there every morning picking a side.

What I wanted was one jumper that could play for both teams.

Then I found the Averynna from a British label called York Boutique — a soft knit with a buttoned V-neck placket, and I chose the camel brown, which goes with everything I own that isn't also brown.

The buttons are the whole trick. Done up, it's a modest, cosy neckline that keeps the draught off on a cold morning; open two buttons and it becomes a proper V that lengthens the neck and frames the face for lunch out — which is why one jumper now does the work of the two camps in the drawer. The knit itself drapes softly rather than clinging, there's a bit of stretch so it moves with you, and the ribbed hem and cuffs keep their shape instead of bagging by February.

Buttoned up it's a modest, cosy crew for a draughty morning; two buttons open it's a neck-lengthening V for lunch — the placket is a neckline with settings, and you choose per occasion.

It was £34.95 in the sale — half the usual £70 — and since it replaces two jumpers by definition, the arithmetic did itself. And with a fortnight to send it back and free delivery, there was nothing to lose.

It has since done a draughty coffee morning buttoned to the top and a birthday lunch with two buttons open, and Sandra — who was at both — asked if it was new both times. One jumper, two outfits, one very smug owner. It was £34.95, half the usual £70.

If your jumper drawer is also split into two camps, do have a look. The Averynna is rated 4.6 out of 5 by more than 230 women, it comes in eight colours from camel to red to soft pink, in UK sizes 8/10 all the way to 22/24 — and at half price the neutrals go first.