Anne here, and this week I'm blogging about an exhibition of fabulous 1950's fashion I went to recently in a National Trust house in the country about 2 hours from where I live. 
The exhibition was of fashions displayed in the quirky Australian film, The Dressmaker, which stars Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth and Hugo Weaving.
The basic premise of the movie (it's also a novel) is that a girl returns to the drab little country town she was sent away from as a child, though her mother still lives there.
She's there to look after her aging mother and to come to terms with the mystery of why she was sent away. She's now a top class dressmaker, having studied under some of the top French couturiers. She brings 1950's haute couture to the dreary run-down backwater in remote Australia — and transforms the town.
That's enough about the plot — see the movie or read the book if you want more. In the movie the fashions starred as much as the actors, and they're what drew me down to the grand old farm homestead at Barwon Park, built in the Victorian era, when the country grew rich and fat on wool and dairy. It's built of bluestone (locally quarried volcanic stone) and definitely had an eye to grandeur, as it sits looking out across flat volcanic plains. 
The sign out the front, Dungatar, is a little joke — that's the name of the drab and run-down little town in the movie, and bears no resemblance to the slightly grand and elegant Barwon Park.
But back to the fashions. Marion Boyce was the costume designer — you might already know her work — she also designed the gorgeous clothes in the Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery TV series.
To start with there were the hats. (Click on any of the photos for a bigger view)
Are you a hat person? I adore them, but I almost never wear them, unless they're part of a costume. I will occasionally don one to keep off the sun, rain or cold, but almost never for the sake of fashion. These elegant little wisps wouldn't keep off a snowflake, but aren't they gorgeous?
Then there were the dresses. There were all kinds of dresses — day wear, evening wear, all stunningly elegant and some beautifully, wildly over-the-top, providing a great contrast to the dry dusty, drab setting of the Wimmera (the setting of the movie– a drought-plagued area bordering the desert.)I loved this elegant little black suit. 
As well as being gorgeous to look at, the dresses also sparked memories. The exhibition was pretty busy for something held out in the sticks, a two hour drive from Melbourne. When I was there, the majority of visitors were female, and quite a few were older women who remembered wearing dresses like these, and some their mothers wore.
The snatches of reminiscences I heard . . . Regrets that Aunty Mabel's hats all went to the op-shop (charity shop) when she died, the hats their mothers used to wear to church, memories of the dresses they wore to this dance or that, and "Oh, remember these?" of some fabulous item of clothing no longer seen in daily life. And corsets! And bras that were practically satin-covered armor.
Mothers and daughters and granddaughters oohed and ahhed over dresses, and the wedding dress (the good and the bad one) were much discussed. I even heard a conversation debating Princess Diana's wedding dress.
In one room there was a short movie about the making of the costumes, and a description of the permanent-pleating process of the black dress with the white angel-wing-style sleeves or draperies. (above left) And the before and after shot of the fabulous Cinderella scene, where drab and downtrodden shop assistant Gertrude becomes glamorous belle-of-the-ball. 
As for me, I spotted all kinds of things I found so charming. This little jacket, for instance.
And some of those hats. The 1950's isn't my favorite era for fashion, but I have to say, these were a whole heap of fun — and gorgeousness.
As for you, do any of these fashions grab you? Spark a memory or two? Are you a wearer of hats or not? And what's your favorite era for fashion?
Not my favourite fashion period either but those dresses and hats are to die for … If you’ve got the figure to carry them off. My mum wore clothes like that in the late fifties and early sixties. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for that film and book as there’s a strong link to my work patch of dirt in the southern Riverina. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Not my favourite fashion period either but those dresses and hats are to die for … If you’ve got the figure to carry them off. My mum wore clothes like that in the late fifties and early sixties. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for that film and book as there’s a strong link to my work patch of dirt in the southern Riverina. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Not my favourite fashion period either but those dresses and hats are to die for … If you’ve got the figure to carry them off. My mum wore clothes like that in the late fifties and early sixties. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for that film and book as there’s a strong link to my work patch of dirt in the southern Riverina. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Not my favourite fashion period either but those dresses and hats are to die for … If you’ve got the figure to carry them off. My mum wore clothes like that in the late fifties and early sixties. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for that film and book as there’s a strong link to my work patch of dirt in the southern Riverina. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Not my favourite fashion period either but those dresses and hats are to die for … If you’ve got the figure to carry them off. My mum wore clothes like that in the late fifties and early sixties. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for that film and book as there’s a strong link to my work patch of dirt in the southern Riverina. Thanks for another interesting blog.
Thanks, Shelagh — the clothes were my favorite thing in the movie and yes, you do have to have the figure to carry them off. They talked about that a bit in the little exhibition documentary about the making of the clothes, and the undergarments that made those amazing hour-glass figures. Apparently every single woman, as she was freed from her corset, made the same little ‘foof’ sound of relief. 🙂
Thanks, Shelagh — the clothes were my favorite thing in the movie and yes, you do have to have the figure to carry them off. They talked about that a bit in the little exhibition documentary about the making of the clothes, and the undergarments that made those amazing hour-glass figures. Apparently every single woman, as she was freed from her corset, made the same little ‘foof’ sound of relief. 🙂
Thanks, Shelagh — the clothes were my favorite thing in the movie and yes, you do have to have the figure to carry them off. They talked about that a bit in the little exhibition documentary about the making of the clothes, and the undergarments that made those amazing hour-glass figures. Apparently every single woman, as she was freed from her corset, made the same little ‘foof’ sound of relief. 🙂
Thanks, Shelagh — the clothes were my favorite thing in the movie and yes, you do have to have the figure to carry them off. They talked about that a bit in the little exhibition documentary about the making of the clothes, and the undergarments that made those amazing hour-glass figures. Apparently every single woman, as she was freed from her corset, made the same little ‘foof’ sound of relief. 🙂
Thanks, Shelagh — the clothes were my favorite thing in the movie and yes, you do have to have the figure to carry them off. They talked about that a bit in the little exhibition documentary about the making of the clothes, and the undergarments that made those amazing hour-glass figures. Apparently every single woman, as she was freed from her corset, made the same little ‘foof’ sound of relief. 🙂
Nostalgia trip. Women and girls still wore dresses and hats to church (our “Sunday best”) when I was growing up in the 1950s and early 60s in rural New York state. We even had a milliner’s shop in town. The last dressy hat I can remember wearing was part of my going away outfit when I got married in 1969. These days it’s just wooly hats in winter and ball caps to shade my eyes in the summer. I’d love to see hats come back into fashion . . . but only if we were wearing them without the fuss of skirts, dresses, and (shudder) girdles and stockings! Hats and blue jeans, anyone?
Kathy/Kaitlyn
Nostalgia trip. Women and girls still wore dresses and hats to church (our “Sunday best”) when I was growing up in the 1950s and early 60s in rural New York state. We even had a milliner’s shop in town. The last dressy hat I can remember wearing was part of my going away outfit when I got married in 1969. These days it’s just wooly hats in winter and ball caps to shade my eyes in the summer. I’d love to see hats come back into fashion . . . but only if we were wearing them without the fuss of skirts, dresses, and (shudder) girdles and stockings! Hats and blue jeans, anyone?
Kathy/Kaitlyn
Nostalgia trip. Women and girls still wore dresses and hats to church (our “Sunday best”) when I was growing up in the 1950s and early 60s in rural New York state. We even had a milliner’s shop in town. The last dressy hat I can remember wearing was part of my going away outfit when I got married in 1969. These days it’s just wooly hats in winter and ball caps to shade my eyes in the summer. I’d love to see hats come back into fashion . . . but only if we were wearing them without the fuss of skirts, dresses, and (shudder) girdles and stockings! Hats and blue jeans, anyone?
Kathy/Kaitlyn
Nostalgia trip. Women and girls still wore dresses and hats to church (our “Sunday best”) when I was growing up in the 1950s and early 60s in rural New York state. We even had a milliner’s shop in town. The last dressy hat I can remember wearing was part of my going away outfit when I got married in 1969. These days it’s just wooly hats in winter and ball caps to shade my eyes in the summer. I’d love to see hats come back into fashion . . . but only if we were wearing them without the fuss of skirts, dresses, and (shudder) girdles and stockings! Hats and blue jeans, anyone?
Kathy/Kaitlyn
Nostalgia trip. Women and girls still wore dresses and hats to church (our “Sunday best”) when I was growing up in the 1950s and early 60s in rural New York state. We even had a milliner’s shop in town. The last dressy hat I can remember wearing was part of my going away outfit when I got married in 1969. These days it’s just wooly hats in winter and ball caps to shade my eyes in the summer. I’d love to see hats come back into fashion . . . but only if we were wearing them without the fuss of skirts, dresses, and (shudder) girdles and stockings! Hats and blue jeans, anyone?
Kathy/Kaitlyn
One thing that strikes me is that these clothes were definitely for adults, not the young. That changed in the 1960s, probably going along with “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”There has probably always been a close connection between fashion and politics—a not very original thought on my part, given the effect of the French Revolution on fashion.
One thing that strikes me is that these clothes were definitely for adults, not the young. That changed in the 1960s, probably going along with “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”There has probably always been a close connection between fashion and politics—a not very original thought on my part, given the effect of the French Revolution on fashion.
One thing that strikes me is that these clothes were definitely for adults, not the young. That changed in the 1960s, probably going along with “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”There has probably always been a close connection between fashion and politics—a not very original thought on my part, given the effect of the French Revolution on fashion.
One thing that strikes me is that these clothes were definitely for adults, not the young. That changed in the 1960s, probably going along with “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”There has probably always been a close connection between fashion and politics—a not very original thought on my part, given the effect of the French Revolution on fashion.
One thing that strikes me is that these clothes were definitely for adults, not the young. That changed in the 1960s, probably going along with “Don’t trust anyone over 30.”There has probably always been a close connection between fashion and politics—a not very original thought on my part, given the effect of the French Revolution on fashion.
My favorite fashion era would be the REGENCY period – It seemed so graceful and comfortable, Love the empire waist dresses, and shawls, and hats.
My favorite fashion era would be the REGENCY period – It seemed so graceful and comfortable, Love the empire waist dresses, and shawls, and hats.
My favorite fashion era would be the REGENCY period – It seemed so graceful and comfortable, Love the empire waist dresses, and shawls, and hats.
My favorite fashion era would be the REGENCY period – It seemed so graceful and comfortable, Love the empire waist dresses, and shawls, and hats.
My favorite fashion era would be the REGENCY period – It seemed so graceful and comfortable, Love the empire waist dresses, and shawls, and hats.
What a great exhibit, Anne! Having read the plot of the movie on Wikipedia, I think it’s a little too Gothic/gory for me,and I’m not especially a fan of ’50s fashions, but the clothes in the exhibit look amazing!
So glad the girdle went out of fashion….
What a great exhibit, Anne! Having read the plot of the movie on Wikipedia, I think it’s a little too Gothic/gory for me,and I’m not especially a fan of ’50s fashions, but the clothes in the exhibit look amazing!
So glad the girdle went out of fashion….
What a great exhibit, Anne! Having read the plot of the movie on Wikipedia, I think it’s a little too Gothic/gory for me,and I’m not especially a fan of ’50s fashions, but the clothes in the exhibit look amazing!
So glad the girdle went out of fashion….
What a great exhibit, Anne! Having read the plot of the movie on Wikipedia, I think it’s a little too Gothic/gory for me,and I’m not especially a fan of ’50s fashions, but the clothes in the exhibit look amazing!
So glad the girdle went out of fashion….
What a great exhibit, Anne! Having read the plot of the movie on Wikipedia, I think it’s a little too Gothic/gory for me,and I’m not especially a fan of ’50s fashions, but the clothes in the exhibit look amazing!
So glad the girdle went out of fashion….
The clothes and hats are gorgeous. I love hats but unfortunately I’m one of those people they just don’t suit. My daughter on the other hand can wear any type of hat and frequently does.
The clothes and hats are gorgeous. I love hats but unfortunately I’m one of those people they just don’t suit. My daughter on the other hand can wear any type of hat and frequently does.
The clothes and hats are gorgeous. I love hats but unfortunately I’m one of those people they just don’t suit. My daughter on the other hand can wear any type of hat and frequently does.
The clothes and hats are gorgeous. I love hats but unfortunately I’m one of those people they just don’t suit. My daughter on the other hand can wear any type of hat and frequently does.
The clothes and hats are gorgeous. I love hats but unfortunately I’m one of those people they just don’t suit. My daughter on the other hand can wear any type of hat and frequently does.
For clothing my favorite era is Edwardian…love all the drippy lace and pearls. As far as the fifties – I’m always fascinated with the clothes worn by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. All the clothes, jewels and hats in that film are wonderful and Marilyn even gets away with wearing an orange dress.
For clothing my favorite era is Edwardian…love all the drippy lace and pearls. As far as the fifties – I’m always fascinated with the clothes worn by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. All the clothes, jewels and hats in that film are wonderful and Marilyn even gets away with wearing an orange dress.
For clothing my favorite era is Edwardian…love all the drippy lace and pearls. As far as the fifties – I’m always fascinated with the clothes worn by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. All the clothes, jewels and hats in that film are wonderful and Marilyn even gets away with wearing an orange dress.
For clothing my favorite era is Edwardian…love all the drippy lace and pearls. As far as the fifties – I’m always fascinated with the clothes worn by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. All the clothes, jewels and hats in that film are wonderful and Marilyn even gets away with wearing an orange dress.
For clothing my favorite era is Edwardian…love all the drippy lace and pearls. As far as the fifties – I’m always fascinated with the clothes worn by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe in Gentleman Prefer Blondes. All the clothes, jewels and hats in that film are wonderful and Marilyn even gets away with wearing an orange dress.
I WORE those Fifties clothes (not the ones in the movies, but the knock-offs “off-the-rack”) although I drew the line at the corsets. I have heavy breasts, so I cannot ignore the bras, but i get them as lightly braced as my body will allow. I am definitely NOT of the “dear me, let us be elegant or die” frame of mind; more likely “let me be comfortable and the devil-take-the-hindmost with fashion. (I don’t think there exists a quote for that frame of mind).
Having read those final sentences above, no one will be surprised that I don’t have a favorite fashion period. I love looking at clothes from many eras; I have visited the Smithsonian showing of gowns of the various first ladies more than once. (It has GROWN quit a bit since I first saw it in 1941!). Frequently at these exhibits (or other presentations), I protest “who would be willing to be that uncomfortable!” And I am grateful that I have lived in periods in which I COULD choose to do my own thing with fashion.
I think I should sum this up as “As long as I don’t need to wear it, clothing throughout the ages will continue to fascinate me.”
I WORE those Fifties clothes (not the ones in the movies, but the knock-offs “off-the-rack”) although I drew the line at the corsets. I have heavy breasts, so I cannot ignore the bras, but i get them as lightly braced as my body will allow. I am definitely NOT of the “dear me, let us be elegant or die” frame of mind; more likely “let me be comfortable and the devil-take-the-hindmost with fashion. (I don’t think there exists a quote for that frame of mind).
Having read those final sentences above, no one will be surprised that I don’t have a favorite fashion period. I love looking at clothes from many eras; I have visited the Smithsonian showing of gowns of the various first ladies more than once. (It has GROWN quit a bit since I first saw it in 1941!). Frequently at these exhibits (or other presentations), I protest “who would be willing to be that uncomfortable!” And I am grateful that I have lived in periods in which I COULD choose to do my own thing with fashion.
I think I should sum this up as “As long as I don’t need to wear it, clothing throughout the ages will continue to fascinate me.”
I WORE those Fifties clothes (not the ones in the movies, but the knock-offs “off-the-rack”) although I drew the line at the corsets. I have heavy breasts, so I cannot ignore the bras, but i get them as lightly braced as my body will allow. I am definitely NOT of the “dear me, let us be elegant or die” frame of mind; more likely “let me be comfortable and the devil-take-the-hindmost with fashion. (I don’t think there exists a quote for that frame of mind).
Having read those final sentences above, no one will be surprised that I don’t have a favorite fashion period. I love looking at clothes from many eras; I have visited the Smithsonian showing of gowns of the various first ladies more than once. (It has GROWN quit a bit since I first saw it in 1941!). Frequently at these exhibits (or other presentations), I protest “who would be willing to be that uncomfortable!” And I am grateful that I have lived in periods in which I COULD choose to do my own thing with fashion.
I think I should sum this up as “As long as I don’t need to wear it, clothing throughout the ages will continue to fascinate me.”
I WORE those Fifties clothes (not the ones in the movies, but the knock-offs “off-the-rack”) although I drew the line at the corsets. I have heavy breasts, so I cannot ignore the bras, but i get them as lightly braced as my body will allow. I am definitely NOT of the “dear me, let us be elegant or die” frame of mind; more likely “let me be comfortable and the devil-take-the-hindmost with fashion. (I don’t think there exists a quote for that frame of mind).
Having read those final sentences above, no one will be surprised that I don’t have a favorite fashion period. I love looking at clothes from many eras; I have visited the Smithsonian showing of gowns of the various first ladies more than once. (It has GROWN quit a bit since I first saw it in 1941!). Frequently at these exhibits (or other presentations), I protest “who would be willing to be that uncomfortable!” And I am grateful that I have lived in periods in which I COULD choose to do my own thing with fashion.
I think I should sum this up as “As long as I don’t need to wear it, clothing throughout the ages will continue to fascinate me.”
I WORE those Fifties clothes (not the ones in the movies, but the knock-offs “off-the-rack”) although I drew the line at the corsets. I have heavy breasts, so I cannot ignore the bras, but i get them as lightly braced as my body will allow. I am definitely NOT of the “dear me, let us be elegant or die” frame of mind; more likely “let me be comfortable and the devil-take-the-hindmost with fashion. (I don’t think there exists a quote for that frame of mind).
Having read those final sentences above, no one will be surprised that I don’t have a favorite fashion period. I love looking at clothes from many eras; I have visited the Smithsonian showing of gowns of the various first ladies more than once. (It has GROWN quit a bit since I first saw it in 1941!). Frequently at these exhibits (or other presentations), I protest “who would be willing to be that uncomfortable!” And I am grateful that I have lived in periods in which I COULD choose to do my own thing with fashion.
I think I should sum this up as “As long as I don’t need to wear it, clothing throughout the ages will continue to fascinate me.”
Kathy, I’ve noticed millinery shops seem to be coming back. Maybe here in Australia it’s because of the growing awareness of protection against the sun, and also maybe in Melbourne our Spring Racing Carnival is very hat-dense, but they’re always a nice distraction for me. And speaking of church, my grandfather always used to come home from church and announce the number of ladies wearing hats. I’m not sure he paid much attention to the service, he just sat there and counted hats.
Kathy, I’ve noticed millinery shops seem to be coming back. Maybe here in Australia it’s because of the growing awareness of protection against the sun, and also maybe in Melbourne our Spring Racing Carnival is very hat-dense, but they’re always a nice distraction for me. And speaking of church, my grandfather always used to come home from church and announce the number of ladies wearing hats. I’m not sure he paid much attention to the service, he just sat there and counted hats.
Kathy, I’ve noticed millinery shops seem to be coming back. Maybe here in Australia it’s because of the growing awareness of protection against the sun, and also maybe in Melbourne our Spring Racing Carnival is very hat-dense, but they’re always a nice distraction for me. And speaking of church, my grandfather always used to come home from church and announce the number of ladies wearing hats. I’m not sure he paid much attention to the service, he just sat there and counted hats.
Kathy, I’ve noticed millinery shops seem to be coming back. Maybe here in Australia it’s because of the growing awareness of protection against the sun, and also maybe in Melbourne our Spring Racing Carnival is very hat-dense, but they’re always a nice distraction for me. And speaking of church, my grandfather always used to come home from church and announce the number of ladies wearing hats. I’m not sure he paid much attention to the service, he just sat there and counted hats.
Kathy, I’ve noticed millinery shops seem to be coming back. Maybe here in Australia it’s because of the growing awareness of protection against the sun, and also maybe in Melbourne our Spring Racing Carnival is very hat-dense, but they’re always a nice distraction for me. And speaking of church, my grandfather always used to come home from church and announce the number of ladies wearing hats. I’m not sure he paid much attention to the service, he just sat there and counted hats.
Yes, that’s true, Lillian, but then they are very definitely from the glamour end of the spectrum. There was a very sweet little polka dotted dress for a young girl at the exhibition, but I didn’t have room to put up all my photos.
A friend has a postcard with a pic of a hippy and that very famous “Never trust anyone over 30” slogan, only the 30 was crossed out and replaced with 40, which was also crossed out and replaced with 50, and I guess were up to 60 now ….
Yes, that’s true, Lillian, but then they are very definitely from the glamour end of the spectrum. There was a very sweet little polka dotted dress for a young girl at the exhibition, but I didn’t have room to put up all my photos.
A friend has a postcard with a pic of a hippy and that very famous “Never trust anyone over 30” slogan, only the 30 was crossed out and replaced with 40, which was also crossed out and replaced with 50, and I guess were up to 60 now ….
Yes, that’s true, Lillian, but then they are very definitely from the glamour end of the spectrum. There was a very sweet little polka dotted dress for a young girl at the exhibition, but I didn’t have room to put up all my photos.
A friend has a postcard with a pic of a hippy and that very famous “Never trust anyone over 30” slogan, only the 30 was crossed out and replaced with 40, which was also crossed out and replaced with 50, and I guess were up to 60 now ….
Yes, that’s true, Lillian, but then they are very definitely from the glamour end of the spectrum. There was a very sweet little polka dotted dress for a young girl at the exhibition, but I didn’t have room to put up all my photos.
A friend has a postcard with a pic of a hippy and that very famous “Never trust anyone over 30” slogan, only the 30 was crossed out and replaced with 40, which was also crossed out and replaced with 50, and I guess were up to 60 now ….
Yes, that’s true, Lillian, but then they are very definitely from the glamour end of the spectrum. There was a very sweet little polka dotted dress for a young girl at the exhibition, but I didn’t have room to put up all my photos.
A friend has a postcard with a pic of a hippy and that very famous “Never trust anyone over 30” slogan, only the 30 was crossed out and replaced with 40, which was also crossed out and replaced with 50, and I guess were up to 60 now ….
Yes, the Regency-era has some very pretty dresses. I must confess it’s rather fun to go trawling through the web looking for clothes for my girls to wear.
Yes, the Regency-era has some very pretty dresses. I must confess it’s rather fun to go trawling through the web looking for clothes for my girls to wear.
Yes, the Regency-era has some very pretty dresses. I must confess it’s rather fun to go trawling through the web looking for clothes for my girls to wear.
Yes, the Regency-era has some very pretty dresses. I must confess it’s rather fun to go trawling through the web looking for clothes for my girls to wear.
Yes, the Regency-era has some very pretty dresses. I must confess it’s rather fun to go trawling through the web looking for clothes for my girls to wear.
It’s not really gory, Mary Jo — a bit OTT and gothic, but lots of fun, even though I thought some of the plot holes were rather large. Worth it for the fashions alone, I think.
It’s not really gory, Mary Jo — a bit OTT and gothic, but lots of fun, even though I thought some of the plot holes were rather large. Worth it for the fashions alone, I think.
It’s not really gory, Mary Jo — a bit OTT and gothic, but lots of fun, even though I thought some of the plot holes were rather large. Worth it for the fashions alone, I think.
It’s not really gory, Mary Jo — a bit OTT and gothic, but lots of fun, even though I thought some of the plot holes were rather large. Worth it for the fashions alone, I think.
It’s not really gory, Mary Jo — a bit OTT and gothic, but lots of fun, even though I thought some of the plot holes were rather large. Worth it for the fashions alone, I think.
Thanks Teresa. People tell me hats suit me, but I really only wear them for fun, for a dress-up occasion that’s not serious. I might wear a hat at RT for instance.
Thanks Teresa. People tell me hats suit me, but I really only wear them for fun, for a dress-up occasion that’s not serious. I might wear a hat at RT for instance.
Thanks Teresa. People tell me hats suit me, but I really only wear them for fun, for a dress-up occasion that’s not serious. I might wear a hat at RT for instance.
Thanks Teresa. People tell me hats suit me, but I really only wear them for fun, for a dress-up occasion that’s not serious. I might wear a hat at RT for instance.
Thanks Teresa. People tell me hats suit me, but I really only wear them for fun, for a dress-up occasion that’s not serious. I might wear a hat at RT for instance.
Kay, I adore the later Edwardian fashions — they’re so elegant and flowy and Poiret is my favorite designer from then. Did you ever see a movie called MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA with Maggie Smith? The clothes she wore in that gave me a severe case of ‘I want!’
Kay, I adore the later Edwardian fashions — they’re so elegant and flowy and Poiret is my favorite designer from then. Did you ever see a movie called MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA with Maggie Smith? The clothes she wore in that gave me a severe case of ‘I want!’
Kay, I adore the later Edwardian fashions — they’re so elegant and flowy and Poiret is my favorite designer from then. Did you ever see a movie called MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA with Maggie Smith? The clothes she wore in that gave me a severe case of ‘I want!’
Kay, I adore the later Edwardian fashions — they’re so elegant and flowy and Poiret is my favorite designer from then. Did you ever see a movie called MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA with Maggie Smith? The clothes she wore in that gave me a severe case of ‘I want!’
Kay, I adore the later Edwardian fashions — they’re so elegant and flowy and Poiret is my favorite designer from then. Did you ever see a movie called MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA with Maggie Smith? The clothes she wore in that gave me a severe case of ‘I want!’
Sue, I’m another one who is more concerned with comfort rather than fashion. It used to really frustrate my mother, who was always elegant.
Sue, I’m another one who is more concerned with comfort rather than fashion. It used to really frustrate my mother, who was always elegant.
Sue, I’m another one who is more concerned with comfort rather than fashion. It used to really frustrate my mother, who was always elegant.
Sue, I’m another one who is more concerned with comfort rather than fashion. It used to really frustrate my mother, who was always elegant.
Sue, I’m another one who is more concerned with comfort rather than fashion. It used to really frustrate my mother, who was always elegant.
What a delightful post. I adored the film, have seen it twice, and read Rosalie Ham’s book for Book Club. Glad I saw the film first, there’s a minefield of characters to get to know, and it was grounding to have that – although there were considerable variations between the two. Would love to see the exhibition. Barwon –
House – is that near Geelong? We are flying out of Avalon on the 19th for the ARRA high tea!
Jay.
What a delightful post. I adored the film, have seen it twice, and read Rosalie Ham’s book for Book Club. Glad I saw the film first, there’s a minefield of characters to get to know, and it was grounding to have that – although there were considerable variations between the two. Would love to see the exhibition. Barwon –
House – is that near Geelong? We are flying out of Avalon on the 19th for the ARRA high tea!
Jay.
What a delightful post. I adored the film, have seen it twice, and read Rosalie Ham’s book for Book Club. Glad I saw the film first, there’s a minefield of characters to get to know, and it was grounding to have that – although there were considerable variations between the two. Would love to see the exhibition. Barwon –
House – is that near Geelong? We are flying out of Avalon on the 19th for the ARRA high tea!
Jay.
What a delightful post. I adored the film, have seen it twice, and read Rosalie Ham’s book for Book Club. Glad I saw the film first, there’s a minefield of characters to get to know, and it was grounding to have that – although there were considerable variations between the two. Would love to see the exhibition. Barwon –
House – is that near Geelong? We are flying out of Avalon on the 19th for the ARRA high tea!
Jay.
What a delightful post. I adored the film, have seen it twice, and read Rosalie Ham’s book for Book Club. Glad I saw the film first, there’s a minefield of characters to get to know, and it was grounding to have that – although there were considerable variations between the two. Would love to see the exhibition. Barwon –
House – is that near Geelong? We are flying out of Avalon on the 19th for the ARRA high tea!
Jay.
Jay, the exhibition is near Winchelsea, which is about half an hour west of Geelong. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. And I’ll see you at the ARRA high tea. 🙂
Jay, the exhibition is near Winchelsea, which is about half an hour west of Geelong. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. And I’ll see you at the ARRA high tea. 🙂
Jay, the exhibition is near Winchelsea, which is about half an hour west of Geelong. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. And I’ll see you at the ARRA high tea. 🙂
Jay, the exhibition is near Winchelsea, which is about half an hour west of Geelong. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. And I’ll see you at the ARRA high tea. 🙂
Jay, the exhibition is near Winchelsea, which is about half an hour west of Geelong. I’m sure you’d enjoy it. And I’ll see you at the ARRA high tea. 🙂
Ha, Anne, up to 70, now that the oldest Boomers have hit 65+.
Ha, Anne, up to 70, now that the oldest Boomers have hit 65+.
Ha, Anne, up to 70, now that the oldest Boomers have hit 65+.
Ha, Anne, up to 70, now that the oldest Boomers have hit 65+.
Ha, Anne, up to 70, now that the oldest Boomers have hit 65+.
In the early ’60s, the Regency had a comeback with those empire (ohm-PEER) waistlines, which morphed finally into the sack dress (straight down from the shoulders). The sack dress, despite its dumpy name, did require all the tight undersupport to come off sleek. I still remember mine!
In the early ’60s, the Regency had a comeback with those empire (ohm-PEER) waistlines, which morphed finally into the sack dress (straight down from the shoulders). The sack dress, despite its dumpy name, did require all the tight undersupport to come off sleek. I still remember mine!
In the early ’60s, the Regency had a comeback with those empire (ohm-PEER) waistlines, which morphed finally into the sack dress (straight down from the shoulders). The sack dress, despite its dumpy name, did require all the tight undersupport to come off sleek. I still remember mine!
In the early ’60s, the Regency had a comeback with those empire (ohm-PEER) waistlines, which morphed finally into the sack dress (straight down from the shoulders). The sack dress, despite its dumpy name, did require all the tight undersupport to come off sleek. I still remember mine!
In the early ’60s, the Regency had a comeback with those empire (ohm-PEER) waistlines, which morphed finally into the sack dress (straight down from the shoulders). The sack dress, despite its dumpy name, did require all the tight undersupport to come off sleek. I still remember mine!
My dress-up box as a kid included a couple of 50s swisho dresses that mum made in her late teens to wear to local country dances (around the Victorian goldfields). Lots of organza, and satin, and taffeta, and tule. I loved them! The waists were tiny. Even as a 16 year old I could barely fit into other 50s & 60s frocks that my mother had kept (despite us having the same adult height, and despite me being average weight). Her shoes fit me though – which, by the time the 80s rolled around, was pretty sweet. I particularly loved a pair of black suede pointy-toed stilettos that had bronze-capped heels and a kind of thick black lace across the toes.
Favourite fashion era – I still have a soft spot for 80s op-shop boho – mashing up 40s/50s/60/70s on a student budget!
My dress-up box as a kid included a couple of 50s swisho dresses that mum made in her late teens to wear to local country dances (around the Victorian goldfields). Lots of organza, and satin, and taffeta, and tule. I loved them! The waists were tiny. Even as a 16 year old I could barely fit into other 50s & 60s frocks that my mother had kept (despite us having the same adult height, and despite me being average weight). Her shoes fit me though – which, by the time the 80s rolled around, was pretty sweet. I particularly loved a pair of black suede pointy-toed stilettos that had bronze-capped heels and a kind of thick black lace across the toes.
Favourite fashion era – I still have a soft spot for 80s op-shop boho – mashing up 40s/50s/60/70s on a student budget!
My dress-up box as a kid included a couple of 50s swisho dresses that mum made in her late teens to wear to local country dances (around the Victorian goldfields). Lots of organza, and satin, and taffeta, and tule. I loved them! The waists were tiny. Even as a 16 year old I could barely fit into other 50s & 60s frocks that my mother had kept (despite us having the same adult height, and despite me being average weight). Her shoes fit me though – which, by the time the 80s rolled around, was pretty sweet. I particularly loved a pair of black suede pointy-toed stilettos that had bronze-capped heels and a kind of thick black lace across the toes.
Favourite fashion era – I still have a soft spot for 80s op-shop boho – mashing up 40s/50s/60/70s on a student budget!
My dress-up box as a kid included a couple of 50s swisho dresses that mum made in her late teens to wear to local country dances (around the Victorian goldfields). Lots of organza, and satin, and taffeta, and tule. I loved them! The waists were tiny. Even as a 16 year old I could barely fit into other 50s & 60s frocks that my mother had kept (despite us having the same adult height, and despite me being average weight). Her shoes fit me though – which, by the time the 80s rolled around, was pretty sweet. I particularly loved a pair of black suede pointy-toed stilettos that had bronze-capped heels and a kind of thick black lace across the toes.
Favourite fashion era – I still have a soft spot for 80s op-shop boho – mashing up 40s/50s/60/70s on a student budget!
My dress-up box as a kid included a couple of 50s swisho dresses that mum made in her late teens to wear to local country dances (around the Victorian goldfields). Lots of organza, and satin, and taffeta, and tule. I loved them! The waists were tiny. Even as a 16 year old I could barely fit into other 50s & 60s frocks that my mother had kept (despite us having the same adult height, and despite me being average weight). Her shoes fit me though – which, by the time the 80s rolled around, was pretty sweet. I particularly loved a pair of black suede pointy-toed stilettos that had bronze-capped heels and a kind of thick black lace across the toes.
Favourite fashion era – I still have a soft spot for 80s op-shop boho – mashing up 40s/50s/60/70s on a student budget!
Shannon, those old dresses sound fabulous. I look at photos of mum and wish she’d kept some of her dresses, even though I’d never fit into them.
And I love the boho combination of eras, especially when done with flair and a sense of fun. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Shannon, those old dresses sound fabulous. I look at photos of mum and wish she’d kept some of her dresses, even though I’d never fit into them.
And I love the boho combination of eras, especially when done with flair and a sense of fun. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Shannon, those old dresses sound fabulous. I look at photos of mum and wish she’d kept some of her dresses, even though I’d never fit into them.
And I love the boho combination of eras, especially when done with flair and a sense of fun. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Shannon, those old dresses sound fabulous. I look at photos of mum and wish she’d kept some of her dresses, even though I’d never fit into them.
And I love the boho combination of eras, especially when done with flair and a sense of fun. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Shannon, those old dresses sound fabulous. I look at photos of mum and wish she’d kept some of her dresses, even though I’d never fit into them.
And I love the boho combination of eras, especially when done with flair and a sense of fun. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
Thanks Mary — I don’t remember the sack dresses, though I do remember some A-line frocks when I was a kid. At my older sister’s wedding, her bridesmaids wore empire line, I think, high-waisted dresses a bit regency-like.
Thanks Mary — I don’t remember the sack dresses, though I do remember some A-line frocks when I was a kid. At my older sister’s wedding, her bridesmaids wore empire line, I think, high-waisted dresses a bit regency-like.
Thanks Mary — I don’t remember the sack dresses, though I do remember some A-line frocks when I was a kid. At my older sister’s wedding, her bridesmaids wore empire line, I think, high-waisted dresses a bit regency-like.
Thanks Mary — I don’t remember the sack dresses, though I do remember some A-line frocks when I was a kid. At my older sister’s wedding, her bridesmaids wore empire line, I think, high-waisted dresses a bit regency-like.
Thanks Mary — I don’t remember the sack dresses, though I do remember some A-line frocks when I was a kid. At my older sister’s wedding, her bridesmaids wore empire line, I think, high-waisted dresses a bit regency-like.
Yeah, don’t trust anyone over 70! (heh heh.)
Yeah, don’t trust anyone over 70! (heh heh.)
Yeah, don’t trust anyone over 70! (heh heh.)
Yeah, don’t trust anyone over 70! (heh heh.)
Yeah, don’t trust anyone over 70! (heh heh.)
Hi Anne
Oh I do love these dresses I have always loved the fashions from the 40’s and 50’s I think it comes from years of watching old movies with my Mum when I was young and hats I too love hats but only wear them to keep the sun of etc 🙂 this was a movie I wanted to see but didn’t get there I will watch for it on Foxtel and catch it then.
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Anne
Oh I do love these dresses I have always loved the fashions from the 40’s and 50’s I think it comes from years of watching old movies with my Mum when I was young and hats I too love hats but only wear them to keep the sun of etc 🙂 this was a movie I wanted to see but didn’t get there I will watch for it on Foxtel and catch it then.
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Anne
Oh I do love these dresses I have always loved the fashions from the 40’s and 50’s I think it comes from years of watching old movies with my Mum when I was young and hats I too love hats but only wear them to keep the sun of etc 🙂 this was a movie I wanted to see but didn’t get there I will watch for it on Foxtel and catch it then.
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Anne
Oh I do love these dresses I have always loved the fashions from the 40’s and 50’s I think it comes from years of watching old movies with my Mum when I was young and hats I too love hats but only wear them to keep the sun of etc 🙂 this was a movie I wanted to see but didn’t get there I will watch for it on Foxtel and catch it then.
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Anne
Oh I do love these dresses I have always loved the fashions from the 40’s and 50’s I think it comes from years of watching old movies with my Mum when I was young and hats I too love hats but only wear them to keep the sun of etc 🙂 this was a movie I wanted to see but didn’t get there I will watch for it on Foxtel and catch it then.
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, yes, I think I fell for so many of the old movie outfits too, only they weren’t in colour when I saw them — usually on my grandma’s old B&W TV. The exhibition will come to Sydney, I’m sure and you can go and see it then. 🙂
Helen, yes, I think I fell for so many of the old movie outfits too, only they weren’t in colour when I saw them — usually on my grandma’s old B&W TV. The exhibition will come to Sydney, I’m sure and you can go and see it then. 🙂
Helen, yes, I think I fell for so many of the old movie outfits too, only they weren’t in colour when I saw them — usually on my grandma’s old B&W TV. The exhibition will come to Sydney, I’m sure and you can go and see it then. 🙂
Helen, yes, I think I fell for so many of the old movie outfits too, only they weren’t in colour when I saw them — usually on my grandma’s old B&W TV. The exhibition will come to Sydney, I’m sure and you can go and see it then. 🙂
Helen, yes, I think I fell for so many of the old movie outfits too, only they weren’t in colour when I saw them — usually on my grandma’s old B&W TV. The exhibition will come to Sydney, I’m sure and you can go and see it then. 🙂
Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of glamour to my day! I must check out the movie. Love the fashions, though I prefer the 1940s era. What a talented costume designer–Miss Fischer is so well done.
Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of glamour to my day! I must check out the movie. Love the fashions, though I prefer the 1940s era. What a talented costume designer–Miss Fischer is so well done.
Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of glamour to my day! I must check out the movie. Love the fashions, though I prefer the 1940s era. What a talented costume designer–Miss Fischer is so well done.
Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of glamour to my day! I must check out the movie. Love the fashions, though I prefer the 1940s era. What a talented costume designer–Miss Fischer is so well done.
Thanks for sharing and bringing a bit of glamour to my day! I must check out the movie. Love the fashions, though I prefer the 1940s era. What a talented costume designer–Miss Fischer is so well done.
Reina, I’m very fond of the 1940’s costumes too, in fact it was my era of choice when I was a student and rummaged through the charity shops for interesting old clothes.
Reina, I’m very fond of the 1940’s costumes too, in fact it was my era of choice when I was a student and rummaged through the charity shops for interesting old clothes.
Reina, I’m very fond of the 1940’s costumes too, in fact it was my era of choice when I was a student and rummaged through the charity shops for interesting old clothes.
Reina, I’m very fond of the 1940’s costumes too, in fact it was my era of choice when I was a student and rummaged through the charity shops for interesting old clothes.
Reina, I’m very fond of the 1940’s costumes too, in fact it was my era of choice when I was a student and rummaged through the charity shops for interesting old clothes.
It does bring back memories of my mother, she used to wear those Chanel style suits, or sometimes the suits with peplum waists like in your photo. In those days, women would dress up to go to New York City for the day. I remember going there on Easter Sunday, and everyone would stroll up and down 5th Avenue wearing their fanciest hats. There are still some ladies who wear hats to match their shoes and dresses to go to church.
From what I’ve seen of the Miss Fisher series, the clothes are gorgeous.
It does bring back memories of my mother, she used to wear those Chanel style suits, or sometimes the suits with peplum waists like in your photo. In those days, women would dress up to go to New York City for the day. I remember going there on Easter Sunday, and everyone would stroll up and down 5th Avenue wearing their fanciest hats. There are still some ladies who wear hats to match their shoes and dresses to go to church.
From what I’ve seen of the Miss Fisher series, the clothes are gorgeous.
It does bring back memories of my mother, she used to wear those Chanel style suits, or sometimes the suits with peplum waists like in your photo. In those days, women would dress up to go to New York City for the day. I remember going there on Easter Sunday, and everyone would stroll up and down 5th Avenue wearing their fanciest hats. There are still some ladies who wear hats to match their shoes and dresses to go to church.
From what I’ve seen of the Miss Fisher series, the clothes are gorgeous.
It does bring back memories of my mother, she used to wear those Chanel style suits, or sometimes the suits with peplum waists like in your photo. In those days, women would dress up to go to New York City for the day. I remember going there on Easter Sunday, and everyone would stroll up and down 5th Avenue wearing their fanciest hats. There are still some ladies who wear hats to match their shoes and dresses to go to church.
From what I’ve seen of the Miss Fisher series, the clothes are gorgeous.
It does bring back memories of my mother, she used to wear those Chanel style suits, or sometimes the suits with peplum waists like in your photo. In those days, women would dress up to go to New York City for the day. I remember going there on Easter Sunday, and everyone would stroll up and down 5th Avenue wearing their fanciest hats. There are still some ladies who wear hats to match their shoes and dresses to go to church.
From what I’ve seen of the Miss Fisher series, the clothes are gorgeous.
My mother was also big on dressing up to go to the city — I well remember an argument as a teenager, when I was meeting my friends in the city and wearing jeans and things (flip-flops? footwear, anyway) and she was horrified. Wanted me to wear a nice dress and proper shoes. 🙂
And the clothes in the Miss Fisher TV series are to die for.
My mother was also big on dressing up to go to the city — I well remember an argument as a teenager, when I was meeting my friends in the city and wearing jeans and things (flip-flops? footwear, anyway) and she was horrified. Wanted me to wear a nice dress and proper shoes. 🙂
And the clothes in the Miss Fisher TV series are to die for.
My mother was also big on dressing up to go to the city — I well remember an argument as a teenager, when I was meeting my friends in the city and wearing jeans and things (flip-flops? footwear, anyway) and she was horrified. Wanted me to wear a nice dress and proper shoes. 🙂
And the clothes in the Miss Fisher TV series are to die for.
My mother was also big on dressing up to go to the city — I well remember an argument as a teenager, when I was meeting my friends in the city and wearing jeans and things (flip-flops? footwear, anyway) and she was horrified. Wanted me to wear a nice dress and proper shoes. 🙂
And the clothes in the Miss Fisher TV series are to die for.
My mother was also big on dressing up to go to the city — I well remember an argument as a teenager, when I was meeting my friends in the city and wearing jeans and things (flip-flops? footwear, anyway) and she was horrified. Wanted me to wear a nice dress and proper shoes. 🙂
And the clothes in the Miss Fisher TV series are to die for.
Great post and pics!
Great post and pics!
Great post and pics!
Great post and pics!
Great post and pics!
Thanks, Carla.
My new pretty website:
http://www.annegracie.com
Thanks, Carla.
My new pretty website:
http://www.annegracie.com
Thanks, Carla.
My new pretty website:
http://www.annegracie.com
Thanks, Carla.
My new pretty website:
http://www.annegracie.com
Thanks, Carla.
My new pretty website:
http://www.annegracie.com
I can hear Mum now berating you for what you were wearing. She always did look elegant. I prefer comfort but also looking nice.
I can hear Mum now berating you for what you were wearing. She always did look elegant. I prefer comfort but also looking nice.
I can hear Mum now berating you for what you were wearing. She always did look elegant. I prefer comfort but also looking nice.
I can hear Mum now berating you for what you were wearing. She always did look elegant. I prefer comfort but also looking nice.
I can hear Mum now berating you for what you were wearing. She always did look elegant. I prefer comfort but also looking nice.