A letter from the founder
Everything comfortable she owns is plain. Not because she likes plain — it is all she was ever offered.
On the six things that made me choose the Giulia, how it compares with what you have been buying, and why it is AU$119.95 in our Spring Sale.
I’m Grace, and Claire and I started this boutique with one idea: that a woman should not have to choose between comfortable and beautiful.
Where that idea gets tested hardest is the in-between season. A cool start, a warm afternoon, and an hour out somewhere you would quite like to look nice.
Most of us own two kinds of outfit for a day like that. One is made for comfort and makes no secret of it — loose, plain, perfect for the garden and not much further. The other looks the part, but it is fitted through the middle, too warm by eleven, and by lunch you are quietly tugging at it every time you stand up.
So, morning after morning, the sensible one wins, because at least it never lets you down. You are comfortable, and nobody notices what you are wearing, and somewhere underneath you mind a little.
I never accepted that a woman had to choose.
The Giulia is my answer. It is three pieces — a long open tunic, a top and wide, easy trousers — made to be worn together or on their own. There were six things I would not do without.
Three pieces that already belong together
This is the thing I looked at first. Plenty of “sets” are a top and a bottom that simply share a colour. The Giulia is three pieces made to be layered: a long open tunic over a top, with wide trousers underneath. Put them on together and the outfit is finished before the kettle has boiled. Take the tunic off when the afternoon warms up and you still look dressed, not half-dressed.
“The quality was better than I expected and the fashion pieces look just like they did in the photos. I’m always a little cautious when ordering fashion online, so I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived.”
Ruby S., AucklandA long open tunic that moves when you do
Most layers are either too short to do anything for you or too structured to be comfortable. This tunic runs long and hangs open, so it falls in one line from the shoulder instead of sitting on you, and it moves with every step. The sleeves roll back without fuss when you want your hands free. It is the piece that turns a comfortable outfit into a considered one, and the fabric is soft and airy, with a lived-in ease.
“I’ve always struggled with clothing that feels too hot, especially on warmer days. This dress is lightweight, comfortable and really easy to wear in the heat. It feels lovely on and doesn’t feel heavy at all.”
Willow S., MelbourneA print with character, kept to the top
I was careful about this one. A bold print from head to toe can tip into costume very quickly, and a woman who has spent years in neutrals can feel that coming. In the Bronze colourway the print stays on the top, framed by the plainer tunic and trousers, so it reads as character rather than fancy dress. If you would rather keep it quiet, Khaki and Beige are softer, plain versions of the same three pieces.
“I’m very happy with both the fit and the quality of the dress. It’s comfortable, flattering and already become one of my favourite pieces to wear. I can definitely see myself reaching for it regularly.”
Charlotte M., WellingtonWide trousers with an easy drawstring waist
The trousers are where comfort is won or lost, and these are generous on purpose. They are wide through the leg and drawn in at the waist with a drawstring, so you set the fit yourself instead of living with whatever a waistband decides. They fall loosely to the ankle and sit beautifully with flat sandals. No pinching when you sit down, and no tugging when you stand up again.
“The fabric feels really comfortable and the dresses are flattering without being too tight. As a bigger woman, that is something I really appreciate. They sit nicely on the body and I feel very comfortable wearing them.”
Julie H., SydneyThree colourways, sizes S to 2XL, one price
A relaxed cut is not a shortcut. It is a decision to fit the woman rather than ask the woman to fit it. The Giulia comes in Bronze, Khaki and Beige, in S (8–10), M (10–12), L (12–14), XL (14–16) and 2XL (16–18), and every one of them is the same price. Every body is different, so please check the size guide on the product page first — and if you are unsure, just send us a message.
“I was unsure about the sizing before ordering, but the measurements turned out to be very accurate. The fit was perfect for me and I’m really pleased that I followed the size guide.”
Jessica A., AdelaideRelaxed is not the same as sloppy
This was the one I thought hardest about. Soft, layered clothing can slide into looking as though you have given up, and nobody wants to hear that she looks “comfy”. What keeps the Giulia on the right side of that line is the length and the layering: one long line from shoulder to hem, with wide trousers underneath. It reads as a choice. Add flat sandals, a little artisan jewellery and a natural bag, and it is ready for lunch, travel or a slow day in town.
“The size guide was really helpful and the dress fit me perfectly. I was a little unsure about ordering clothes online, but the measurements were accurate and made choosing my size so much easier. Very happy with my order!”
Amelia S., SydneyThe Giulia, against what you have been buying
| The usual comfortable outfit | The Giulia | |
|---|---|---|
| Layers | One layer, too warm or too cool | Three pieces: tunic, top and trousers |
| Look | Plain, chosen so nobody notices | A long, layered line with character |
| Waist | A fixed waistband that digs in | Wide trousers with a drawstring waist |
| Wear | One look, take it or leave it | All three together, or just two |
| Sizing | Not always made in your size | S to 2XL (8–18), one price |
I refuse to sell a woman something that asks her to be invisible in order to be comfortable. That is the whole reason the Giulia is in the shop.
Why it’s in our Spring Sale
The Giulia is listed at AU$399.95, and for our Spring Sale it is AU$119.95 — the same price in every colourway and every size. We’re a small, Australian-run boutique, and the Spring Sale is our way of saying thank you to the women who choose to shop with us instead of a big, faceless brand. Every order, and every question you send us, means more to Claire and me than you probably realise.
And I would rather it went out now than at the end of summer. This is exactly the season it was made for — cool mornings, warm afternoons, and a long tunic you can slip off and carry without a second thought. I have a feeling that once you have worn something that isn’t plain, you won’t want to go back. That is the quiet bet I am making by writing to you at AU$119.95.
★★★★★4.7 out of 5 — from 4,261 customers
AU$399.95AU$119.95SAVE 70%
Spring Sale — Save 70%
- Three pieces: a long open tunic, a top and wide trousers
- Soft, airy fabric that falls with a lived-in ease
- Wide trousers with a drawstring waist
- Wear all three together, or the top and trousers alone
- Bronze, Khaki or Beige — S (8–10) to 2XL (16–18)
- Free Shipping · 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Every colour and every size the same price · S to 2XL
Plenty of women look at something like the Giulia, move on, and then quietly come back to it a few minutes later.
The question is rarely whether she likes it. She does. The question is whether she feels she is still allowed to wear it.
You are. Go and choose your colour.
With love,
GraceCo-Founder, Claire & Grace Sydney
This is a personal letter from Grace, co-founder of Claire & Grace Sydney. Customer reviews are quoted as written. · Australian-run boutique · Free Shipping · 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.