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In the early 1900's clothes were a status symbol. Fashion was more important than comfort. Fashionable ladies enjoyed the grand occasions surrounding the federation of Australian colonies, and later the openings of new federal parliament, in Melbourne where royalty was going to be in attendance. Society matrons were lucky that the extravagant magnificent dresses of the Edwardian era coincided with Australians own premier events. Women liked to have a pinched waist, a big bust with …

…and combined with the narrow hemline they produced a silhouette resembling an inverted pyramid. Around 1912 men's trousers were made with waist bands so the braces could be abandoned, which became popular made out of flannel, for casual wear, collar height was reduced but men still clung to the safety of pin stripes, three piece suites and morning suits. In 1914 just before the war the brassier was invented. Which was about to cause more fashion change.