Australian Dress Register

This is an important example of occupational or travel dress. Unostenatious garments, such as this one, can be overlooked in collections, but this garment is quite rare. Sometimes called a 'duster' they are quite common in American mail order catalogues. They were worn over smart clothes to protect from dust or weather. The fastening right down the front, to the absolute bottom of the hem, suggests the wearer intended to eliminate any speck of dust collecting on her more expensive garments, worn underneath. The drab colour was designed to cater for dust which could be from housework or from riding behind a pony and trap. The drab coloured silk doesn't show the dust and will not absorb it. With a brisk shake, it can be removed. It is a little too early in style (c1880) to be a motoring coat and was probably used in a sulky or carriage. Motoring coats were made in this same tussah silk.

With the new emphasis on travel during the 2nd half of the 19th century, it could have also been purchased for travel further afield - a trip of a lifetime to Egypt. We must not forget that, everywhere you went, dust was more prevalent with unmade roads and open carriages. Living in Gulgong in country New South Wales would also have required long trips to the city to stock up and attend important events.

Author: Sue Nicholls, Lindie Ward, 25/6/2014.

Full length button through garment in brownish yellow  tussah silk with pleated self frill. Shoulder seam drops forward as in a yoke and is gathered into the neckband and shoulder. Trimmed with pleated self frill around neck and right front and sleeve cuffs. A wide pocket opening provides access to a skirt pocket that would be worn underneath or possibly a chatelaine.  Sleeve is two piece. Back has three shaping seams at the centre. Centre back skirt is box pleated from just below the waist and is shaped to fit over the skirt bustle worn underneath.