Last weekend I was in the Melbourne city centre, catching up with some essential shopping. As I walked the streets, and the department stores, observing everyone around me, I couldn’t help feeling depressed by the way most people dress now.

The importance of being comfortable has led to a more casual look in the last two decades. That’s understandable. But why can’t we be comfortable and look nice? Or at least interesting?

Everywhere my eyes drifted, I saw hoodies, leggings, track suit pants, all either too tight or else baggy and shapeless, and mostly in drab colours.

I don’t believe it’s just comfort that has led to this. Fashion, that inexorable dictator, is responsible, because it always exploits a trend and keeps it going way too long.

Some people think it’s harder to dress well in winter. They say, ‘I just want to be comfortable and warm.’

But why can’t they wear something flattering and comfortable, teamed with a good coat? One good woollen coat will last ten years, and is a far better investment than a cotton hoodie, or a polyester puffer jacket.

Fashion also dictates colour, and so often people dress in dull colours in winter. On a grey day in Melbourne it would be so nice to see more orange, or red, and some bold or interesting patterns.

They say fashion keeps coming around. It’s about time we took on some tips from the 1960s. The clothes then were so original, distinctive and, above all, fun!

We could try mixing colours and patterns, like this:

Or wear a simple dress with coloured stockings, or a bold jacket like this:

And you can’t go wrong with black and white.

So many options!

Please, style-conscious ladies out there, let’s rebel against this war on beauty, and start wearing more flattering outfits, more colour and more unique designs. The shapeless comfort trend has gone on long enough.