The Undressing of Australian Women
1880—1975

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1880 - Sydney Punch

Our Suburban Mode
Above— Fashionable ladies in this period were fond of parading in styles calculated to scandalize local society.  In this case with outlandish hairstyles that expose the back of the neck in the male style, and apparently by the wearing of long gloves.   

1896   The Bulletin

What Next?
Left— The bicycle liberated women and when the pantaloons allowed women to ride them in comfort and safety.

1911 - Melbourne Punch

The Girl of tomorrow
Though the cartoonist was satirizing woman's clothing, it is obvious that it was becoming more streamlined and hence more comfortable to wear than the compared to the more cumbersome fashions such as the bustle and the hooped skirt.

I had to cut about a meter of each of those insect hat-pins unfortunately. Even so I really like this vision—it’s delightfully feminine—although I suspect that many matrons of the day would have treated this outfit as under-wear and demanded that she put a dress on.

1928 - Smith’s Weekly

He: I believe they are going to wear them shorter next year
She: What?
He: Trousers

The briefer clothing of the Roaring Twenties contributed to the atmosphere of social freedom which seemed to intoxicate the revellers.

By the way; are this lady’s breasts modestly covered do you think?

1930 Smith's Weekly

“Why did you object to him kissing you on the mat?”
“It was a bath-mat.”

Dancing girls, looking like early go-go’ girls, were a popular feature of many entertainment halls during the Great Depression.

1941 - The Bulletin

“I said your rip-cord, not your zipper.”

 Women played a major role in World War 2 both abroad and at home.  More than 50,000 women served over-seas in addition to those who served in the emergency services, the Red Cross and the Land Army at home,

1949 - Smith’s Weekly

“I’ll toss you for who orders her off the beach.”
 
By the early l950s the bikini was being pioneered on Sydney beaches. 

1974 - Daily Mirror

“No revealing blouse, no skirt of exaggerated brevity, no thongs, no jeans … .OK—but you’ll have to put a band-aid over that navel, Miss Rashleigh.”

Fashion trends were fast and furious during the 1970’s.  The Public Service, like many parents, fought a losing battle against the inevitable trends of the age.

1975 - Perth Daily News

“You see doctor, my love person and I are worried about our child people’s adjustment to a male dominated society.” ”
“Which one is speaking?  Mum or Dad?”