Becoming A City: Fashion

Fashions from France, England and New York were reported in the local newspapers under the Ladies Column or Fashion Notes.

Fashion in the 1880s
In December 1885 'Feathers and Fashion' was the topic highlighted in a column called 'Some English Gossip'. Women's hats made of velvet or felt, short turned up brims, ornamented with stuffed birds and bunches of ostrich feathers. The modern hat was adorned by birds including parakeets, parrots and cockatoos.

The Woman's Column in September 1889 noted that 'it is curious to watch, from a safe distance like Ipswich, the changes in the style of ladies' dress amongst those still in the whirlpool of fashion.'

Gone are bustles and improvers, gone are those unwieldy masses of head millinery, and gone are high heels and tight lacing from amongst the leaders of fashion. A studied simplicity and neatness of attire for out-door pursuits and a richness of material and tasteful blending of colour for home and evening wear are marked characteristics of the present style. In fact, a fashionable lady, of the present day, need only study herself and her various points of vantage and disadvantages, and then choose from the illimitable variety of style offered to her that which best suits her entourage. Bonnets have shrunk to a bead frame-work and a bow of ribbon, like some to be seen in Brisbane at present, or a bunch of roses and a bow of ribbon - in fact, the smallest amount of material and the greatest amount of taste will make a stylish bonnet in half an hour to suit any costume. Hats are of all descriptions, creamy lace and flowers shading the face, or flat fancy straw, looking somewhat like an inverted dinner-plate. Silken tea-gowns, cool and comfortable looking, of artistic shades, invite the indolent. The loose bodice blouse, of soft silk - what a bushman might call a "jumper" - is comfortable for morning war, and becoming to a slight figure. Some are heavily smocked, others are plain, whilst for boating and tennis-players nothing can be smarter or more appropriate than the light serges and flannels.

Fashion in the early 1900s
On the local scene, an article in the Queensland Times titled 'Chat with a Stylish Modiste' reflected on Mrs. Heads of Charters Towers. The article stated that:

There are probably not half-a-dozen dress-makers or milliners in the State who have had so much experience as Mrs. Heads of that town. Her deft fingers and good taste have won for her a high standing among those who minister to our passion for style, and she is well qualified to speak on the subject.

In the early 1900s high-crowned hats were coming into vogue and sloping shoulders and fully gauged skirts were on the way out of fashion. Coats with full sleeves, set into the armhole with plaits or gathering and no tucking at the elbow, the fashionable sleeve was gauged up the centre of the arm from the wrist to the shoulder. Ladies were encouraged to embroider cotton and linen materials and to use a coarse linen lace which was considered to be very handsome. Also in fashion was the 'little grey glace dress' with frills, ruches, shoulder pelerines (small cape like garment) or a long scarf of chiffon. Dust coats and travelling wraps in the style of the Japanese kiminos, and three-quarter length silk capes were becoming popular. Children were wearing long coasts made from muslin Broderie Anglias set out in the skirt over a long-waisted dress, with wide frills. Girls hats were made in pretty satin straws in the shape of granny bonnets in a colour matching their coats, trimmed with ribbon.

The following are fashion tips from 1902.

Fashion Notes. Don'ts About Dress

Don't jump into your clothes and expect to look dressed.
Don't expect great bargains to turn out great savings.
Don't wear feathers in your hat and patches on your boots.
Don't achieve the grotesque while attempting the original.
Don't wear a fur or feather boa with a cotton dress or skirt.
Don't dress your head at the expense of your hands and feet.
Don't pinch your waist; fat, like murder will out-somewhere.
Don't wear a sailor hat and blouse after your fortieth birthday.
Don't forget that dress was made for woman, not woman for dress.
Don't put powder on your cheeks without looking in a glass afterwards.
Don't clothe yourself in man's apparel and expect the courtesy due to a lady.

Do you have photographs of your ancestors in Ipswich from the 1880s to the 1910s? Help our collection of fashion for this period to grow by contributing historical photographs from your families precious memories.