Mina Wylie's Olympic Blazer

Contributed by: Randwick District and Historical Society

Jacket- Front View Jacket Jacket - Side View Jacket - Rear View Jacket - Interior Shoulder - Interior Detail of pocket repair Repair Replacement Crest Back detail of replacement Crest Label
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Object information

Significance statement

Blazer worn by Wilhemina (Mina) Wylie, as a member of the Australiasia Team to the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. This was the first Olympics where women were permitted to compete in swimming events, and Wylie herself won the Silver Medal in the 100m Freestyle (Fanny Durack won Gold). Given the blazer's association with both a prominent Australian sportswoman and a significant milestone in Olympic history, this garment can be confidently considered as historically signficant. The blazer also illustrated the evolution of Australia's participation in the Olympic Games; 1912 was one of only two Olympic Games where Australia competed as a combined team with New Zealand.

The garment is also extremely rare - have only been issued to the members and support staff of the Australasian Olympic team. The provenance of the garment is also well-documented - having been issued to  Mina Wylie in 1912, it remained in her possession until its donation to the Randwick District Historical Society. This combined with its rarity, marks this garment as a particularly signficant garment in Australian sporting history.

Author: Amy Butterfield, 15 July 2014.

Description

Blazer constructed from green woven wool, with yellow piping decorating the cuffs, breast pocket and hip pocket. Crest emblazened with 'Australiasia' and the Australian coat of arms embroidened on the breast pocket.

Trimmings / Decoration

Piping

Yellow/Gold Piping on cuffs, breast and hip pockets.

Embroidery

Crest with Australian coat of arms and 'Australasia' embroidered on breast pocket.

Fibre / Weave

Green woven wool.

  1. Natural dye
  2. Synthetic dye

Manufacture

Label

'The School Uniform Store/Blazer and Badge/Specialist/277 Elizabeth St/Sydney'. Includes Crest with letters, 'SUS' intertwined.

Alterations

Additional crest included, perhaps to act as replacement if the original was lost.

  1. Hand sewn
  2. Machine sewn
  3. Knitted
  4. Other

Cut

  1. Bias
  2. Straight

Fastenings

Two buttons, fastening at the centre front of the jacket. Buttons are covered in the same green woven wool as the jacket.

  1. Hook and eye
  2. Lacing
  3. Buttons
  4. Zip
  5. Drawstring

Measurements

blazer
Girth
Neck 285 mm
Hip 1115 mm
Cuff 300 mm
Vertical
Back neck to hem 640 mm
Sleeve length 540 mm
Horizontal
Neck to sleeve head 165 mm
Cross back 375 mm
Underarm to underarm 500 mm
Convert to inches

Dress Themes

Worn by Mina Wylie as a uniform of the Australasian (Australia and New Zealand) Oympic Team, in Stockholm 1912.

Condition

Evidence of repairs

Appears to be in robust condition, with no stains or discolouration. However there are two tears, both repaired with gold thread: one on the inside of a sleeve and the other reattaching the breast pocket.

State

  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor

Damage

  1. Torn
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