At 64, I'm Tired of Wearing the Same Three Tops Every Week

At first I thought Lana was simply a spotted shirt. Then I looked more closely and realised how different each part of the print is.

One side has lots of small, irregular navy dots. The other has wider areas of soft cream and taupe, crossed by a few long, fine lines. Those shapes meet in a way that looks modern without needing bright colours.

I rather like that. Sometimes a top in neutral colours can feel a little dull, but the pattern here gives you something interesting to look at.

The collar is especially worth seeing up close. The dots and the pale solid fabric meet there, which makes the neckline feel considered rather than ordinary.

I can imagine wearing it with trousers I already own, rather than having to find an entirely new outfit just to make a printed shirt work.

I used to think a nice top needed a nice occasion. Then the days came and went, and it stayed in the wardrobe.

But what's wrong with wearing something you enjoy for a walk, a coffee or a visit to the shops?

In the outdoor photograph, Lana is styled with white cropped trousers and simple sandals. No elaborate accessories, no towering heels, nothing that looks difficult to put together.

That's precisely the sort of everyday outfit I find useful. The pattern adds interest while everything else can stay uncomplicated.

I'd want a shirt that doesn't make the day about the clothes. Just one that lets me go about my business feeling nicely dressed.

And there's something rather refreshing about a print that isn't another floral or a standard stripe.

One. The fabric. Lana is described as a lightweight cotton-linen blend. I'd look at the current care instructions and think about how a textured fabric fits into my routine.

Two. The shape. It's listed as a relaxed fit with short sleeves, a collar and a rounded lower edge. I'd check the bust and length measurements against a shirt I already like, rather than rely on the letter on the label.

Three. The print in real light. Navy spots can look different on a screen, and the taupe panels have their own texture. That's why I like seeing ordinary home photographs alongside the shop picture.

The photographs give a useful idea of the silhouette over trousers, but they can't guarantee how it will fit every body.

I would rather take an extra few minutes over the size guide than order in a hurry and find the hem or shoulders aren't what I expected.

I always check the price before I let myself get too attached to a pretty print.

Lana is currently listed at A$69.95, with sizes S through 5XL. The current price and available sizes are shown on its product page.

At that price, my question is not whether a shirt looks fashionable. It's whether I can imagine reaching for it more than once.

For me, that's a morning in town, a coffee with someone, a weekend lunch and those days when I want to wear my favourite trousers but still look a little more put together.

I'd check the size guide, delivery information and return conditions before ordering, especially if I were unsure about the fit.

And if the abstract dots aren't your taste, I'd have a look through the Polo Shirts collection. It's easier to choose when you can compare a few patterns rather than persuade yourself to love the first one.

If you told me you were tired of reaching for the same two or three tops, I would understand completely.

I don't think the answer is filling the wardrobe with things you'll hardly wear. It's finding something that works with clothes you already have and makes an ordinary day feel a little nicer.

That's what appealed to me about Lana: neutral colours, an unusual print, a simple collar and a relaxed shape that doesn't ask for much fuss.

I can't promise it will fit you exactly the way it looks in a photograph. I'd check the measurements, decide whether I like the colour combination and think about what I'd actually wear it with.

But I wouldn't dismiss a top just because it's a bit different from the safe ones in the wardrobe.

At sixty-four, I still enjoy getting dressed when the clothes feel like me. And I don't see why an ordinary Tuesday should be any different.