An illustrated letter about dressing for the whole day

At 68, I was still getting dressed three times for one afternoon out. My sister asked why I couldn't find one outfit that worked for the whole day.

There is a particular kind of spring day in Perth that I have never quite learned how to dress for.

You leave the house at ten in the morning feeling a little chilly. By lunchtime, the sun is warm enough that you're carrying your cardigan over your arm. Then you walk into a restaurant with the air conditioning going, and suddenly you wish you'd brought it back.

I've lived here long enough that I really ought to know better.

But last month, I managed to change my clothes twice before leaving for lunch with my sister Helen, and then spent the rest of the afternoon putting things on and taking them off.

It started with a lovely cream blouse.

I put it on with a pair of trousers, stood in front of the mirror and decided I looked rather nice.

Then I walked outside to water the plants and came back shivering.

So I added a cardigan.

Then I looked in the mirror again and decided the cardigan made the whole outfit look rather untidy.

I tried a jacket instead.

The jacket was too stiff to sit comfortably in, and when I took it off, the blouse underneath suddenly looked much too plain.

By the time Helen arrived to collect me, there were three rejected outfits lying across the bed.

She took one look into the bedroom and asked whether I was getting dressed for lunch or opening a clothing shop.

I told her I couldn't find anything suitable for the weather.

She looked at what I was wearing and said something I have thought about ever since.

"Maggie, you're trying to dress for three different temperatures. Why don't you just find one outfit with layers that actually belong together?"

I laughed.

But I knew what she meant.

At 68, I wasn't looking for anything particularly fashionable or complicated.

I simply wanted to look nicely dressed without having to keep rearranging myself every time the weather changed.

And somehow, that had become much more difficult than it needed to be.

I am writing this because I suspect there are plenty of women over sixty-five who understand the problem.

We don't necessarily want to be dressed up all day.

But neither do we want to look as though we've given up bothering.

We just want an outfit that works for the things we actually do.

How getting dressed became such hard work

When I was younger, I had different clothes for different occasions.

Work clothes. Weekend clothes. Something nice for going out. Something old for being around the house.

It was all fairly straightforward.

But over the years, my wardrobe became a rather strange collection of things that didn't quite go together.

There were beautiful jackets that needed a particular pair of trousers.

Lovely tops that looked right until I put something over them.

And trousers that fitted nicely but seemed to require an entirely different style of blouse from anything I owned.

I'd buy a new piece thinking it would solve the problem.

Then I'd get it home and discover I needed two more things to wear with it.

The result was a wardrobe full of clothes and the same old difficulty every time I had somewhere to go.

And as I got older, comfort began to matter more.

I no longer wanted a fitted jacket that pulled across my back when I reached for something.

I didn't want trousers that felt fine while standing up but became uncomfortable once I'd sat through lunch.

And I certainly didn't want to spend a warm afternoon wearing a heavy layer because the top underneath wasn't something I felt happy wearing by itself.

So I started choosing things that were looser.

But looser wasn't always the answer.

Sometimes I ended up looking as though I'd put on three completely unrelated pieces of clothing in the dark.

That wasn't what I wanted either.

I wanted relaxed clothes that still looked like a proper outfit.

What I had wrong about looking put together

For years, I'd assumed that looking nicely dressed required clothes with structure.

A proper jacket.

Tailored trousers.

A blouse tucked in just so.

That's what my generation grew up wearing when we wanted to make an effort.

And there's nothing wrong with any of it.

But at 68, I am much less interested in wearing something that looks wonderful in the mirror and becomes annoying after half an hour.

I like being able to sit down without adjusting my waistband.

I like being able to put my hands in my pockets, reach into the car and carry a shopping bag without feeling as though my clothes are fighting me.

And I rather like the idea of wearing something with a little elegance that doesn't require a collection of carefully arranged buttons, belts and fastenings.

It took Helen's comment to make me realise that perhaps I'd been thinking about it the wrong way.

Maybe I didn't need a smarter jacket.

Maybe I needed a better combination.

Three easy pieces that already worked together, so I could stop trying to create an outfit from the random things hanging in my wardrobe.

The three-piece set I kept coming back to

A few evenings later, I was browsing Perth Boutique and came across their Summer Retreat collection.

There were dresses, relaxed sets and the sort of clothes you can imagine wearing when the weather starts to warm up.

One outfit caught my attention almost immediately.

It's called the Elena Effortless Three-Piece Set.

The colour is described as beige grey, and the outfit consists of three separate pieces.

A long, open-front jacket in a soft beige tone.

A simple cream top underneath.

And a pair of relaxed, wide-leg grey trousers.

Nothing particularly loud.

No enormous floral pattern or complicated decorative details.

Just three gentle neutral colours that looked beautiful together.

But it wasn't really the colour that made me stop.

It was the way the whole outfit was put together.

The long jacket fell open at the front, with soft, flowing edges rather than a row of buttons.

The top underneath was simple enough to wear by itself.

And the trousers had that relaxed, wide-leg shape I prefer these days, with a softer appearance than my old tailored work trousers.

I could imagine wearing the whole outfit to lunch.

Then taking the outer layer off when the afternoon warmed up, without suddenly feeling that the top underneath didn't belong with the trousers.

That was exactly the thing I'd been missing.

I must have looked at the photographs four or five times.

Partly because I liked the colours.

But mostly because I was imagining how simple it might make getting dressed.

And after years of standing in front of the wardrobe wondering which jacket worked with which trousers, simple sounded rather appealing.

Why the layers made sense to me

I've never particularly liked the idea of wearing the same thing from morning until evening, regardless of what the weather is doing.

Perth has a way of giving you a cool morning, a surprisingly warm afternoon and then a little breeze just as you're sitting outside enjoying yourself.

It makes sense to have a layer you can take off and put back on.

The trouble is finding one that doesn't make the rest of the outfit look unfinished when you remove it.

That's what I liked about the Elena.

The cream top is simple and draped rather than stiff-looking.

The outer layer is long and flowing, with an open front that doesn't require buttoning or fastening.

And the grey wide-leg trousers create a relaxed base that works with both.

It looks like one outfit with the jacket on.

It still looks like a coordinated outfit with the jacket off.

That may not sound revolutionary.

But if you've spent years trying to make three separate pieces look as though they belong together, you'll understand why I found it so appealing.

I also liked the neutral colours.

Beige, cream and grey aren't particularly adventurous, but they are exactly the shades I tend to wear most often.

I could imagine wearing the jacket with other trousers.

The cream top with jeans.

And the grey trousers with one of the plain tops I already owned.

Three pieces together, with the possibility of mixing them into the rest of my wardrobe.

That made much more sense to me than buying another entire outfit that could only be worn one way.

What happened when I tried it on

When the outfit arrived, I laid the three pieces across the bed and looked at them properly.

The colours were as understated as I'd hoped.

The beige outer layer had a softly textured appearance, the cream top fell gently through the front, and the grey trousers were relaxed rather than sharply tailored.

I tried the trousers first.

Then the top.

Then the jacket.

And I remember looking in the mirror and thinking how much more finished the whole outfit looked than the random combinations I'd been putting together lately.

Not formal.

Not particularly fashionable in a way I would feel uncomfortable wearing.

Just pleasantly put together.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, stood up, walked over to the window and looked at the outfit from the side.

Then I took the jacket off.

And that was the part I liked best.

The cream top and grey trousers still looked like something I could happily wear.

I hadn't suddenly lost half the outfit.

I could see myself wearing it to lunch, to visit friends or out for a quiet afternoon with Helen.

And I didn't need to add anything complicated to make it look right.

The lunch that gave me a proper test

The following week, Helen and I had arranged to go out for lunch.

Nothing particularly formal. We were going to look through a few shops, have something nice to eat and possibly stop somewhere for coffee before heading home.

Exactly the sort of day that usually caused me trouble when deciding what to wear.

It was cool when I got up.

So I put on the whole Elena set, with the long beige jacket over the cream top and grey trousers.

I added a pair of ordinary neutral shoes and my usual handbag.

That was it.

I hadn't needed to try on four different jackets.

I hadn't needed to change my trousers to match the top.

And I hadn't stood in front of the mirror wondering whether I looked too dressed up for the shops.

I just got ready and went out.

Helen noticed the outfit when she arrived.

She looked at the jacket, then at the trousers, and said, "Well, you've managed to get ready without turning the bedroom upside down."

I told her I'd finally found something that was meant to be worn together.

She seemed rather pleased with herself for having suggested it.

Sisters do enjoy being right.

We went shopping first.

By midday, it had warmed up beautifully, and I took the jacket off while we were walking around.

When we stopped for lunch, the restaurant was cooler than outside, so I put it back on.

It was such an ordinary thing.

But for once, I didn't feel that I was constantly ruining the look of my outfit by taking a layer off or adding one back.

The pieces belonged together.

And I rather enjoyed not having to think about it.

The part Helen noticed over lunch

We ordered lunch and sat near a window, talking about the grandchildren and what we might do over the summer.

Helen asked me whether I was pleased with the new outfit.

I told her I was.

Then she asked what I liked about it.

I started to talk about the colours and the flowing jacket.

But halfway through, I realised that wasn't really the answer.

What I liked was that I had stopped fussing.

I hadn't needed to ask whether I looked properly dressed when we left the shops and went into the restaurant.

I hadn't needed to carry a spare cardigan that clashed with everything else.

And I hadn't needed to spend the whole afternoon adjusting a fitted jacket or worrying that the top underneath was too plain.

I'd simply worn the outfit.

That was what made it different for me.

I was enjoying the lunch rather than thinking about what I had on.

Helen laughed and said she would consider that a successful shopping decision.

I agreed.

Three things I have learned about getting dressed after 65

One. The best layers are the ones that already work together. I've wasted years trying to match jackets, tops and trousers that were never meant to be worn as a set. When the colours and shapes are coordinated from the beginning, getting dressed becomes much easier.

Two. A relaxed fit can still look elegant. I used to associate looking smart with stiff fabrics and fitted jackets. These days I prefer flowing shapes, wide-leg trousers and an outer layer that doesn't need fastening to look presentable.

Three. Versatility matters more than having a wardrobe full of clothes. I like being able to wear all three pieces together, then use them with the things I already own. A simple neutral top or jacket that works with several outfits is far more useful to me than something I can only wear once.

None of those lessons is especially complicated.

But I wish I'd worked them out earlier.

It might have saved me quite a lot of time standing in front of the wardrobe.

Why I like the beige-grey combination

I know some women love bright colours.

And I do too, on certain days.

But there is something lovely about soft neutrals when they're put together properly.

The cream top brightens the outfit without being stark white.

The beige outer layer adds a little warmth.

And the grey trousers give it a calm, understated look.

I particularly like that the three colours are slightly different.

They don't look as though someone has tried to make everything exactly the same shade.

They complement one another.

And because none of them is especially strong, the whole outfit works with the handbags, shoes and jewellery I already own.

I don't need to buy anything else just to make it look complete.

That's becoming increasingly important to me.

At 68, I've accumulated more clothes than I could possibly need.

I'm much more interested in choosing a few useful pieces than filling another section of the wardrobe with things that will only be worn once.

What happened when I wore the pieces separately

A few days later, I had an ordinary morning at home.

There was some shopping to do and a friend coming around for tea later in the afternoon.

I didn't need the full outfit.

So I wore the cream top with trousers I already owned.

Then, when the afternoon became a little cooler, I added the beige jacket.

Another day, I wore the grey wide-leg trousers with a simple top from my wardrobe.

It was lovely having options without needing to think too hard about them.

That is what I have come to appreciate most about coordinated clothing.

It doesn't have to stay together forever simply because it was bought as a set.

And it doesn't have to be saved for one particular occasion.

You can wear all three pieces together when you want something a little more polished.

Or you can use them separately when your day calls for something simpler.

That seems a much more sensible way to build a wardrobe than constantly buying new outfits for individual occasions.

I know that sounds a little unromantic.

But I've reached an age where I am far more impressed by something I can wear regularly than by something that looks extraordinary once.

And I like the feeling of having an outfit ready without having to rearrange half the wardrobe to put it together.

About the price

I want to be straightforward about the price, because I always check these things carefully before ordering.

Perth Boutique currently lists the Elena Three-Piece Set at $99.95 AUD, with a displayed comparison price of $299.00.

That's an advertised reduction of approximately sixty-seven per cent.

A substantial saving, so I would encourage you to look at the actual design, measurements and product details rather than deciding based on the discount alone.

The outfit includes the long open-front jacket, the cream top and the wide-leg grey trousers.

It is available in sizes XS through 2XL.

I would check the measurements before choosing, especially the trouser length and the fit across the shoulders.

Relaxed clothing still needs to fit properly, and what feels comfortable is different for every woman.

The store lists free home delivery in Australia, and the Summer Retreat collection includes several other relaxed outfits and dresses.

There are different price points in the collection, so it's worth checking which style you're looking at rather than assuming everything is priced the same.

For me, the appeal is in the simplicity of the three-piece design.

It is a complete outfit in coordinated colours, with the option to wear the pieces separately.

And that is exactly what I'd been looking for.

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 had a wardrobe full of clothes but could never seem to put together an outfit for a simple lunch, I would understand completely.

I was doing exactly the same thing.

I had jackets I liked, trousers I liked and tops I liked.

But somehow, when I put them all together, the result never felt quite right.

So I'd change the jacket.

Then the trousers.

Then decide the top wasn't suitable after all.

And by the time I was ready, half the bedroom looked as though a small storm had passed through it.

What I eventually realised is that getting dressed doesn't have to be that complicated.

There is something to be said for an outfit where the colours and shapes have already been considered together.

Something relaxed enough for an ordinary day but neat enough that you feel you've made a little effort.

Something you can adjust as the day warms up or cools down without feeling that you've spoiled the whole look.

The Elena Three-Piece Set is worth looking at if that's the kind of outfit you've been searching for.

Have a proper look at the photographs, check the sizing and see whether the colours and shapes would suit the way you like to dress.

I can't promise it will be right for everyone.

We all have different figures, different preferences and different ideas about what feels comfortable.

But I do think there is something lovely about finding clothes that make ordinary life a little easier.

Not clothes that make you feel twenty-five again.

Not clothes that demand a whole new wardrobe to go with them.

Just something that lets you feel nicely dressed, comfortable and ready for whatever the afternoon brings.

And if my sister Helen never has to watch me change jackets three times before lunch again, she'll consider that a very good result indeed.

At 68, I've decided that looking nicely dressed shouldn't take half the morning. I'd rather spend that time enjoying where I'm going.

Maggie