Fashion in the Federation Era

Overview

In this age of Federation in 1901, dress stood between British fashion and a growing national feeling.

Key garments and style

City people followed Edwardian British fashion — suits for men, corsets and large hats for women. In the military, the slouch hat (a felt hat turned up on one side) was worn and would become a symbol of the Australian soldier, while sturdy practical dress continued on the land.

Transition

In the age of the world wars, this hat and the soldier’s dress became bound up with national memory.