I'm not a shopping phobe by any stretch, I can spend hours in the Apple store and love looking at phones and gadgets. I even like clothes shopping if I'm just browsing for cool t-shirt or jackets, but as soon as I'm actually looking for something with a purpose, the stress is on. I had to buy a new suit a month or so ago and it was awful. But not as awful as shopping for new mens underwear, there's nothing more boring or more awful in the world is there? There's something weird about picking out your new pants with other people around. Or is that just me? And then the woman ringing up my new pants through the till has to look at me funny. Did I make the wrong pant choice? Urgh! It's horrible! Photo: markhillary (Flickr)

Admittedly I don’t travel very often for work but this small factor doesn’t stop me from wanting to buy this. Part of the Austin Reed 110th anniversary collection, this is beautifully cool and stylish. Sort of reminds me of the telescope that Kevin Costner makes at the beginning of Robin Hood Prince of Theives. Another pointless indulgence to add to the list. £50 from www.austinreed.co.uk Image: Austin Reed