An illustrated letter about finding your own way to dress

At 68, I stopped wearing dresses to outdoor lunches because I never felt quite comfortable. My sister showed me something I hadn't considered.

There is a photograph from my friend's birthday lunch last spring that I wish somebody had never taken.

Not because I look particularly terrible in it.

But because it reminds me of an entire afternoon spent fussing with a dress instead of enjoying myself.

It was a lovely afternoon in Perth. Warm sunshine, a little breeze and a long table set up in the garden.

Exactly the sort of occasion I normally look forward to.

I'd chosen a pretty white dress, put on my usual earrings and told myself I looked perfectly presentable.

And I did.

Until we sat outside.

Every time the breeze picked up, I found myself looking down to see where the fabric had moved.

When I stood up, I rearranged the skirt.

When I sat down again, I checked that everything was sitting properly.

And when somebody suggested we take a group photograph, I was so busy fussing with the fabric that I nearly missed the picture altogether.

My sister Helen noticed.

She watched me adjusting the dress for what must have been the fifth time and asked why I hadn't simply worn trousers.

I told her trousers didn't seem quite nice enough for a birthday lunch.

She looked at me, then at the other women around the table.

And she said something that stayed with me.

"Maggie, who decided you have to choose between looking lovely in a dress and feeling comfortable in trousers?"

I laughed and told her those were generally the two options.

She said perhaps I needed to look a little harder.

At sixty-eight, I thought I had worked out what suited me.

Dresses for special occasions.

Trousers for everything else.

And I hadn't really considered that there might be something in between.

I suspect there are other women over sixty-five who understand the problem.

We like looking nicely dressed.

We like pretty, feminine clothes.

But we also want to sit comfortably, move around and get on with our day without constantly rearranging what we're wearing.

And sometimes it can feel surprisingly difficult to find something that does both.

How I ended up wearing trousers to everything

I used to wear dresses all the time.

Especially when the children were younger and we had family lunches, school events and birthdays to attend.

I had cotton dresses, floral dresses, long dresses and several that I kept for particularly nice occasions.

But over the years, I became more particular about how they felt.

Some fitted beautifully while I was standing in front of the mirror but pulled across my middle once I sat down.

Others looked lovely on the hanger but had so much fabric that I spent the afternoon arranging it around myself.

And then there were the ones with fitted waistbands.

Perfectly nice before lunch.

Rather less appealing afterwards.

Eventually I began choosing trousers instead.

They were familiar.

I knew what worked with them.

And I didn't have to worry quite so much about what the breeze might do while we were sitting outside.

But I found myself facing a different problem.

When an invitation arrived for a nice lunch or a family celebration, I never felt quite sure what to wear.

My everyday trousers seemed too ordinary.

My old formal trousers felt too much like something I'd worn to work twenty years ago.

And I didn't particularly want to buy another dress that would end up hanging untouched in the wardrobe.

So getting ready became a rather tiresome exercise in compromise.

Pretty or practical.

Those seemed to be the choices.

The suggestion I nearly dismissed

A few weeks after that birthday lunch, Helen mentioned jumpsuits.

I immediately told her they weren't for women our age.

She asked why.

I explained that whenever I pictured a jumpsuit, I imagined something tight, fitted or terribly fashionable.

The sort of thing a woman in her twenties might wear on a night out.

Not something I would choose for a quiet afternoon with friends.

Helen told me I was thinking about the wrong kind of jumpsuit.

She said there were lovely flowing ones now, with wide legs that could look almost like a maxi dress.

And that was the first time I really considered it.

A one-piece outfit with the appearance of a long, feminine dress, but with separate trouser legs underneath.

No need to match a blouse to trousers.

No need to find a jacket that worked with everything.

Just one complete outfit.

I had to admit the idea sounded rather appealing.

Although I told Helen I would believe it when I saw one I actually liked.

The white jumpsuit I thought was a dress

A few evenings later, I was browsing Perth Boutique and came across something called Georgina.

Now, I know that sounds confusing, because I've seen dresses with the same name.

But this was a different Georgina.

The full name was Georgina Elegant Jumpsuit with V Neck.

And the first thing I noticed was that it looked almost exactly like a flowing maxi dress.

A soft ivory-white colour, a flattering V-neckline and a gently defined high waist.

The sleeves had a relaxed shape, and the bottom fell in long, flowing panels.

It wasn't until I looked more carefully that I understood it was a jumpsuit.

Not a dress at all.

The wide legs created that soft, skirt-like appearance I liked.

But it was still a one-piece trouser outfit.

I remember thinking that Helen had been right.

Again.

Which is becoming a rather irritating habit of hers.

What I particularly liked was how understated the whole thing looked.

No enormous print.

No complicated decoration.

Just a soft white colour, a defined waist, a simple neckline and a long flowing shape.

It reminded me of the elegant clothes I used to admire on women who always seemed to look nicely dressed without making a great fuss about it.

And for the first time in years, I found myself genuinely interested in trying a different kind of outfit.

When it arrived, I laid it across the bed to have a proper look.

The white was softer than a stark, bright white.

Almost ivory in the warm afternoon light.

And the long, flowing bottom gave it the appearance of a maxi dress when the fabric was resting together.

I liked that.

It looked feminine without being particularly fussy.

What made the Georgina different

I've reached an age where I pay much more attention to the cut of an outfit than I used to.

At thirty, I could try on almost anything and spend very little time wondering whether it would work for an entire afternoon.

At sixty-eight, I'm a little more thoughtful.

I want room to sit comfortably.

I don't particularly enjoy tight waistbands.

And I prefer clothing that allows me to move around rather than making me feel as though I need to sit perfectly still.

The Georgina appealed to me because of its flowing design.

The store describes a high waist that gives the outfit some shape, with wide legs that fall in a loose, elegant line.

The V-neckline gives the upper part a feminine appearance without requiring a complicated necklace.

And there are pockets.

I have become increasingly fond of pockets.

It's a small detail, but I like having somewhere to tuck a tissue or keep my reading glasses close.

The other thing I liked was how the whole outfit worked together.

There wasn't a separate blouse that needed matching.

There wasn't a skirt that required a particular top.

It was one complete garment.

That seemed rather useful.

Of course, a jumpsuit is different from a dress in practical ways too, including when you need to use the bathroom.

That's something worth considering rather than pretending one style is automatically better for everybody.

But for the kind of outfit I wanted, the shape and simplicity were what caught my attention.

It wasn't trying to be particularly glamorous.

And I mean that as a compliment.

At this age, I am much more interested in finding clothes that look lovely on an ordinary woman than something designed purely to attract attention.

I wanted a simple, feminine outfit.

And this was exactly the sort of design I had been searching for without quite knowing it.

The first afternoon I tried it on

I tried the Georgina on with a pair of simple flat sandals.

Nothing elaborate.

No statement jewellery.

Just the little gold earrings I wear most days.

And I remember being surprised by how different it looked from the jumpsuits I'd imagined.

The wide-leg silhouette created the soft, flowing appearance of a long dress.

The high waist gave it a little definition without the sharp, tailored look of formal trousers.

And the V-neckline made the whole thing feel a little more feminine than my usual trouser outfits.

I walked around the bedroom.

Sat on the edge of the bed.

Stood up again.

Then looked in the mirror from the side.

I liked the way the outfit had a shape of its own.

It didn't need a separate belt or a complicated jacket to make it look complete.

That was particularly appealing.

For years I'd been buying trousers and then spending half the morning deciding which top would look right with them.

Here was something that was already an outfit.

And I liked the simplicity of that.

The lunch that gave me a proper reason to wear it

The following Saturday, Helen and I were invited to lunch at our friend Margaret's home.

She has a beautiful garden, and during spring she likes to arrange little lunches outside before the Perth summer becomes too hot.

There were going to be six of us.

Nothing formal.

Just good company, something nice to eat and an afternoon spent catching up.

Normally, this was exactly the sort of occasion that would send me upstairs to try on three dresses before deciding to wear trousers.

But this time, I had the Georgina.

I laid it over the woven chair while I got ready.

Then I put it on with my flat sandals and a simple handbag.

And that was the whole outfit.

No last-minute changes.

No trying to find a blouse that worked with the trousers.

No wondering whether I ought to add a cardigan simply because the outfit seemed unfinished.

I felt nicely dressed without feeling that I'd made an enormous effort.

When Helen arrived, she noticed the outfit straight away.

"Is that the jumpsuit?" she asked.

I told her it was.

She looked at it for a moment.

"I thought you'd bought a long dress."

I laughed.

That was exactly what I'd thought when I first saw it.

She asked whether I liked it.

I told her I did.

And then, because she's my sister, she reminded me that she'd been suggesting something like it for weeks.

I told her she didn't need to mention that quite so often.

What happened at Margaret's garden lunch

The afternoon was lovely.

Margaret had set the table under the shade, with flowers in little glass jars and a large bowl of fruit in the middle.

The breeze was pleasant rather than strong, and somebody had brought far too many cakes.

We sat together for several hours, talking about children, grandchildren, gardens and all the things that seem to become more interesting as you get older.

At one point Margaret asked about my outfit.

She said it looked like a lovely long dress.

I told her it was actually a jumpsuit.

She looked surprised.

Then she wanted to know where I'd found it.

I told her Perth Boutique, and explained that I'd been looking for something with the appearance of a long dress but the structure of a trouser outfit.

She said she liked the idea.

And that was that.

The conversation moved on to the garden, then to a family wedding somebody had attended, then to whether Margaret's roses were going to survive the summer.

Exactly the sort of afternoon I enjoy.

What I remember most is that I felt like myself.

I wasn't trying to look younger.

I wasn't wearing something simply because it was fashionable.

I'd chosen an outfit because I liked the shape, the colour and how it worked for the occasion.

That was enough.

The detail I appreciated afterwards

When we got home, I took the Georgina off and hung it over the bedroom door before putting it away.

I stood looking at it for a moment.

And I realised that I'd spent years thinking there were only two ways to dress for certain occasions.

A dress if I wanted to look feminine.

Trousers if I wanted something more practical.

But I'd never properly considered the different shapes a trouser outfit could have.

Something with wide legs, flowing fabric and a softly defined waist could look quite different from the trousers I'd been wearing for decades.

That was the part I found most interesting.

I hadn't needed to change my taste.

I'd simply discovered another way of wearing the sort of elegant, relaxed clothes I'd always liked.

And after years of standing in front of the wardrobe wondering what to wear, that felt like a pleasant change.

Three things I've learned about getting dressed after 65

One. A trouser outfit doesn't have to look like ordinary trousers. I spent years associating trousers with practical everyday clothes and dresses with nicer occasions. The wide-leg design of the Georgina made me realise there are other options worth considering.

Two. A flowing shape can still have definition. The high waist and V-neckline give the jumpsuit a more finished look, while the loose legs create a softer silhouette. I like clothes that have some shape without feeling tightly tailored.

Three. A complete outfit can make getting dressed simpler. I no longer particularly enjoy spending twenty minutes trying to match a blouse to trousers. There is something very appealing about having one coordinated garment that works with the sandals and accessories I already own.

That last one has probably made the biggest difference to the way I think about clothes.

At sixty-eight, I've accumulated enough things in my wardrobe.

I don't need every new purchase to require another three before I can wear it.

I'd rather choose something that makes sense on its own.

Why I chose ivory white

The Georgina comes in several colours, including black, blue, green and darker shades.

But the white appealed to me immediately.

I've always liked light colours during spring and summer.

They look lovely with tan sandals, woven bags and the simple jewellery I've collected over the years.

The white in the photographs has a soft, almost ivory appearance under warm light.

And there is something about that colour with a flowing silhouette that I find quietly elegant.

Not particularly formal.

Not trying to make a grand statement.

Just clean, simple and feminine.

Of course, light colours require a little more care when it comes to spills and marks.

I know that perfectly well.

I've raised children and grandchildren, and I've never managed to get through every family lunch without somebody knocking something over.

But I don't think that means we should stop wearing colours we love.

Sometimes it's worth being a little careful.

And sometimes I'd rather enjoy a lovely white outfit than spend another summer buying everything in dark colours because they seem safer.

About the price

I want to be straightforward about the price because it's something I always look at carefully before ordering online.

Perth Boutique currently lists the Georgina Elegant Jumpsuit with V Neck at $69.95 AUD, with a displayed comparison price of $129.00.

That's an advertised saving of approximately forty-six per cent.

It's a substantial reduction, and I think it's always sensible to look carefully at the product rather than buying something simply because there's a sale.

The Georgina features a V-neckline, a defined high waist, long flowing wide legs and integrated pockets.

The store describes the outfit as having an airy, relaxed fit with fabric designed to move comfortably.

There are several colours available, and the sizes run from S through 5XL.

That is a fairly broad size range, which is lovely to see.

But I would still recommend checking the actual measurements before choosing.

With a jumpsuit, the torso length, waist placement and trouser length all matter.

What fits beautifully on one woman may sit quite differently on another.

And I think it's worth paying attention to those things before ordering rather than hoping everything will work out.

Perth Boutique also advertises free Australian home delivery.

I'd check the current delivery and returns information before purchasing, just as I would with any clothing order online.

For me, the Georgina's appeal is in its flowing design and the way it brings together the appearance of an elegant long dress with the structure of a jumpsuit.

It's something worth considering if you like both styles but haven't quite found the right balance.

What I would tell you if we were friends

If you and I were sitting out the back with a cup of tea between us, and you told me you hadn't worn a dress to an outdoor lunch in years because you never felt quite comfortable in one, I would understand completely.

I had been doing much the same thing.

Buying dresses for special occasions.

Then changing into trousers at the last moment because I knew I'd feel more relaxed.

But when I wore trousers, I sometimes felt that I hadn't made quite enough effort.

And after years of going backwards and forwards between the two, I had simply accepted that getting dressed was going to be a compromise.

What I hadn't considered was that there might be other shapes worth trying.

A wide-leg jumpsuit with a flowing silhouette.

A high waist that gives the outfit some definition.

A simple V-neckline and fabric that falls gently rather than looking stiff.

The Georgina is worth looking at if that sounds like the kind of outfit you enjoy.

Look at the photographs, check the measurements and see whether the overall design would suit your figure and preferences.

It won't be the right choice for every woman.

Some women genuinely prefer dresses.

Some prefer separate trousers and tops.

And others may not enjoy the practical differences that come with wearing a jumpsuit.

That's perfectly reasonable.

But I don't think we should rule something out simply because we haven't considered it before.

At sixty-eight, I've already spent enough years buying the same things because they're familiar.

There's something rather lovely about discovering a different style that still feels like you.

Not because you're trying to dress younger.

Not because you're trying to impress anyone.

But because getting dressed ought to be something we can enjoy.

And perhaps we don't always have to choose between pretty and practical.

Sometimes there's a rather nice middle ground.

Helen has already suggested I try another colour.

I told her one new idea at a time.

She laughed.

But I suspect she'll keep reminding me.

And for once, I don't particularly mind.

At 68, I've stopped believing that I have to choose between looking feminine and wearing trousers. Sometimes the nicest answer is something I hadn't thought to try.

Maggie