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| Throughout the period 18901910, Australia duly followed whatever England decreed fashionable. Nowhere is this more evident than in evening fashions. In contrast to the high necks, full-length sleeves and generally austere appearance of late-Victorian and early-Edwardian women's daywear, evening fashions were daring and frivolous. The very low cut gowns either had very small cap sleeves or sleeves made of layers of transparent fabric. The Edwardian lady would complement her lavishly decorated gown with a headdress, a fan made from ostrich feathers, gauze, tortoiseshell or ivory, gloves, and large quantities of jewelleryeither costume or real; bracelets, earrings, chokers and pendants being particular popular. For formal evening occasions the black or grey frockcoat slowly lost its popularity with men and by 1910 the morning coat had taken its place. The frockcoat continued to be worn at church, weddings and funerals. |