At 73, I Thought I Knew Everything About Winter Coats. Then I Discovered Something I Wish I'd Tried Years Ago.

I don't know about you, but I've grown rather tired of coats with six buttons, a zipper, another fastening, and a collar that never sits quite right.

When I'm heading out to the grocery store or meeting a friend for coffee, I don't want getting dressed to become a project.

The checked tassel cape design uses a simple front button fastening.

You arrange it around your shoulders and fasten the button.

And when you're back inside a warm room, you can undo it just as easily.

It's the sort of uncomplicated detail that I appreciate more with every passing year.

A lovely piece of clothing should make getting dressed easier, not more complicated.

This might sound like such a small thing, but I think it's one of the cleverest parts of the design.

Think about the last time you were sitting in a restaurant wearing a thick coat.

You take it off, fold the sleeves, find somewhere to put it, and end up with a great big bundle on your lap or chair.

A cape is different.

It drapes over your shoulders, with your arms free at the sides.

That means you can carry your handbag, reach for your keys, or hold your grandchild's hand without the same restrictions as a fitted winter coat.

And when you go indoors, it's much easier to fold and place aside than a bulky padded coat.

Sometimes having your arms free is the biggest comfort of all.

I've spent so many winters wearing black, navy, and grey.

They're practical colors, of course. But sometimes, especially on a gloomy winter morning, I look in the mirror and wish for something a little brighter.

That's what I love about the checked patterns and contrast collars.

The Fiona has a lovely red collar, while the Romilly offers a softer contrasting color against its camel pattern.

That little bit of color around your face can make an otherwise simple outfit look much more interesting.

And the lovely thing is that you don't need to change your whole wardrobe to enjoy it.

Even a plain sweater becomes something a little special.

At my age, I've learned what I like.

I have my favorite cream sweaters, my comfortable trousers, and the little dresses I bring out when we go somewhere nice.

I don't want to buy an entirely new outfit just because I've found something lovely to wear over it.

That's another reason these capes appealed to me.

You can drape one over a plain sweater, a blouse, or a dress.

The shape doesn't need to fit tightly around your waist or hips.

And that is a rather welcome thought when you're looking for something both comfortable and elegant.

Of course, on a particularly freezing day, I'd still dress warmly underneath.

But for those ordinary outings when I want a comfortable layer, the cape design is a lovely option.

I've never been someone who follows every new fashion.

At 73, I know what I like, and I know what I'm comfortable wearing.

But I also don't believe we should stop enjoying beautiful clothes just because we're getting older.

The checks are timeless, while the little tassels along the bottom give the design a lovely finishing touch.

They're just different enough to feel special without looking overly dressed up.

I can imagine wearing one for lunch with friends, a family visit, or a little shopping trip.

And isn't it nice to wear something that makes you smile when you catch your reflection?

Buying clothes online can be difficult when you're never quite sure how something will fit.

One brand's medium is another brand's large.

And if you carry a little more weight around your middle, as I do, that can make shopping even more frustrating.

The lovely thing about a draped cape is that it doesn't rely on a closely fitted waist or sleeves.

You can choose the design that appeals to you, and check the individual product's measurements before ordering.

Robert & Grace currently shows six designs in the collection, including Fiona, Romilly, Sloane, Violet, Lyra, and Crimson.

There are beautifully different checks, stripes, and colors to choose from.

I think it's wonderful that we can choose something a little different without giving up the classic style we love.