I THOUGHT A SPECIAL DINNER MEANT WEARING A DRESS. THEN I FOUND THE BLACK TWO-PIECE THAT CHANGED MY MIND.
Six little things about an elegant layered top and flowing trousers that made me rethink getting dressed up at 67.
I am 67, I live in Sydney, and until recently I had a rule about getting dressed up that I could not even remember making. If an invitation said dinner, anniversary or birthday, I automatically looked for a dress. Never mind that I have always enjoyed wearing trousers. Somehow I had decided trousers were for ordinary days and dresses were for special ones.
The trouble was that the occasion dresses in my wardrobe were becoming more trouble than pleasure. There was one with a waistband I kept thinking about over dinner, another that needed a particular pair of shoes, and a third I had not worn since a family photograph years ago. They were lovely in their own ways. They just did not make me look forward to going out.
Then my sister invited us to her seventieth birthday dinner on a warm spring evening. Nothing grand, just the family around a long table. I laid two dresses on the bed, tried them both and put them straight back. My daughter watched the whole performance and finally asked, “Mum, who decided you have to wear a dress to look lovely at dinner?”
I had no answer. I had spent years acting as though “elegant” and “comfortable in trousers” belonged to different wardrobes. What I really wanted was an outfit that looked suitable for the evening and still let me relax and enjoy it.
A few days later I spotted the Scarlett at Perth Boutique. At first glance it had the lovely soft movement of occasionwear, but when I looked closely I realised it was a two-piece set: an asymmetrically layered black top, with a graceful drape and open-shoulder detail, paired with wide-leg trousers. I stopped scrolling.
It was not a trouser suit with a stiff jacket. Nor was it the sort of plain trousers-and-top combination I wore to the supermarket. There was something quietly special about the falling layers and the long black shape. I could imagine it with my usual earrings and a small bag, without having to invent an entirely new outfit.
When it arrived, I laid the top and trousers out on the bed, still half expecting to talk myself into wearing one of the dresses instead. But it looked like a complete evening outfit already. I was not hunting around for a jacket, belt or matching blouse. That was quite a change.
I had been choosing between looking dressed up and feeling like myself. I had forgotten I was allowed to have both.
I tried on the set and found myself smiling at the mirror. Not because it made me look like a different woman, but because the woman looking back felt entirely like me. After that, I could see six little reasons the Scarlett was different from the outfits I kept buying and putting away.
1THE LAYERED TOP LOOKS DRESSED UP WITHOUT A JACKET
The first thing I noticed was the top. Its asymmetrical layers fall softly rather than sitting like an ordinary T-shirt or stiff blouse. The open-shoulder detail gives it a little occasionwear character, while the cascading shape already looks finished on its own.
With an outfit like this, I would not have to spend the afternoon trying on three different jackets to decide which one made the top look smart enough. I could simply wear the two pieces as they were designed to go together.
The part I liked was not having to add anything complicated to make the top look ready for dinner.
2THE TWO PIECES ALREADY BELONG TOGETHER
How many times have I bought a beautiful top and then discovered I own nothing quite right to wear with it? The Scarlett is a matching set, so the upper and lower halves share the same colour and flowing look. It takes the guessing out of getting dressed.
That is especially useful when the invitation is something simple, like my sister’s spring birthday dinner. I wanted to enjoy the evening, not make another shopping trip just to finish an outfit.
One outfit, two matching pieces, and no frantic search for trousers that are almost the right black.
3THE WIDE-LEG TROUSERS HAVE THE MOVEMENT I LIKE IN A DRESS
The trousers are cut with wide legs, giving the outfit a soft, sweeping silhouette. That was the clever surprise for me: from a distance there is some of the graceful movement I enjoy in a long dress, but they are still trousers.
I have always felt quite at home in trousers. I simply wanted a pair that looked right at an evening celebration rather than like something I might wear to do the banking. The long, flowing shape is what makes the difference.
I had not stopped liking trousers. I had stopped believing they could look special enough for an invitation.
4THE ELASTIC WAIST IS A THOUGHTFUL EVERYDAY DETAIL
Perth Boutique lists a high-rise elastic waistband on the Scarlett trousers. It is not the first detail anyone notices in the photograph, but I appreciate why it matters. Family dinners are for sitting, talking, eating and sometimes getting up for another photograph; I do not want a stiff waistband to become the main event.
The store describes the fabric as soft, breathable and flowing. I would still check the size chart carefully, of course, but the construction is much closer to the sort of clothes I look forward to spending an evening in.
An evening should be remembered for the people at the table, not the waistband of my outfit.
5BLACK MAKES THE LITTLE ACCESSORIES I OWN FEEL RIGHT
I chose Black because it goes with almost every pair of dress shoes, earrings and handbag I already own. Sometimes the simplest colour leaves the most room for the things you enjoy wearing. I did not need anything sparkly or new to make the layered top look interesting.
When I saw it draped across the armchair beside a small bag and sandals, I could picture getting ready in a few minutes instead of making a whole afternoon of it. For the first time, I was looking forward to the outfit rather than bracing myself to choose one.
The black one felt like me. No special shoes, no new necklace, no fuss.
6FIVE COLOURS AND AUSTRALIAN SIZE RANGES TO CHECK
The Scarlett is listed in White, Black, Blue, Navy Blue and Red. Perth Boutique currently offers sizes from S (AU 8–10) through 3XL (AU 18–20). I liked Black for a spring evening, but I can understand the appeal of one of the other shades.
The store recommends checking its size chart. With a separate top and trousers, I would pay attention to both measurements before ordering rather than assuming the same size will suit every two-piece style.
Black was the colour I chose. The right fit for both pieces matters just as much.
THE SCARLETT, AGAINST MY OLD SPECIAL-OCCASION OUTFITS
I had convinced myself I needed a dress every time the family went somewhere special. What I really needed was an outfit that felt elegant without making the whole evening about my clothes. Here is the difference I was looking for.
ABOUT THE PRICE
Perth Boutique currently lists the Scarlett™ Two-Piece Layered Set at A$89.99, reduced from A$180.00. It is offered in five colours and sizes S (AU 8–10) through 3XL (AU 18–20). Prices and availability may change, so check the product page for current details.
I have bought enough clothes over the years that looked lovely but seemed to require an entirely different woman to wear them. This time I liked the idea of two coordinated pieces, a beautifully draped top and flowing trousers I could picture wearing through the whole evening.
Perth Boutique advertises free Australian delivery and provides sizing and returns information on its website. If I were buying for an event date, I would check the delivery estimate and current return conditions before ordering.
When my sister’s birthday came around, I realised I was excited to be there rather than worrying about which dress would be the least troublesome. I still enjoy a beautiful dress. I simply no longer believe one is required to feel properly dressed for a celebration.
Maggie
