What did they wear Down Under?
October 8, 2011 11:37 AM   Subscribe

What kind of uniform did prisoners transported to Australia in the 19th century wear? How did you keep yourself in underwear despite WWII rationing? Check out the Australian Dress Register--it's more than just dresses!
posted by Horace Rumpole (12 comments total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
I was about to snark about the possum skin cloak, but that's actually pretty awesome.
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:56 AM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]


Awesome indeed. If it hasn't been done, possum skin cloaks really deserve their own post.

(Also, great post Rumpole! Never miss a chance to look at old people's undies!)
posted by Ahab at 12:39 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]


The Australian experience was not that different from that of the pioneer American West and is an illustration of why closets are small in old houses - people had few clothes before the sweat shops made clothing cheap and available.
posted by Cranberry at 12:41 PM on October 8, 2011


Is it wrong of me to want a copy of that convict jacket? Or, maybe even worse, an updated reproduction with better cut and materials?

What's that you say? It is? I'm a horrible person? OK, I'll show myself out.
posted by Scientist at 12:57 PM on October 8, 2011


this is fantastic! thanks
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:11 PM on October 8, 2011


Is it wrong of me to want a copy of that convict jacket?

Certainly not, if you are doing it for science!
posted by vidur at 2:01 PM on October 8, 2011


Very cool! Thank you.
posted by sweetkid at 2:26 PM on October 8, 2011


Oh my goodness. THIS is the sort of website that I fall in love with both due to content and design! As a historian of textiles, I'm going to go spend the next few hours rolling in this because of how much I love it.
posted by strixus at 4:15 PM on October 8, 2011


The dress uniform of the NSW Lancers is quite spectacular. I like those little reminders of pre federation Australia - the ridiculously long railway platform at Albury where passengers disembarked from the Victorian train, walked up the platform through customs to the waiting NSW train. The old customs house on the VIC/SA border, Brisbane's spectacular customs house, the HMVS Cerberus. Very cool post. Thanks
posted by the noob at 4:37 PM on October 8, 2011


Wonderful site!

Yes indeed, that is a very fancy child's dress: The gum blossom outfit was inspired by the characters 'Bib and Bub' from the books 'Gum-Nut Babies' and 'Gum-Blossom Babies' by May Gibbs.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:26 PM on October 8, 2011


Very interesting! Just sent it to a friend who makes historical costumes. Good post!
posted by bquarters at 7:28 PM on October 8, 2011


This is great! Thanks!
posted by mkim at 2:13 PM on October 9, 2011


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