No hat? No gloves? NO STOCKINGS? For shame!
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382412)
Rockingham, Australia
September 26, 2019 6:42pm CST
Back in 1965, English model, Jean Shrimpton, the highest paid model at the time, was brought to Australia to judge ‘Fashions on the Field’ on Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. This is the day the horse race, the Melbourne Cup, is run and the whole of Australia comes to a standstill to watch.
It seems the textile manufacturer sent a new acrylic fabric, Orion, to London dressmaker, Colin Rolfe, who was to design a special outfit. When he ran short of fabric, the dress ended up 10cm (4 inches) above the knee.
Shrimpton told him not to worry, reportedly saying ‘Nobody’s going to take any notice’. However, at the time most believed it was intentional. What’s more Shrimpton didn’t wear a hat, gloves or stockings and there was a great furore for a time.
I wonder what those people would think of some of today’s fashions.
The photo is from the cover of a magazine aimed at older people.
31 people like this
30 responses
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
27 Sep 19
I am shocked to the core, no hat and no gloves!!!! What has the world come to.
6 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Sep 19
@JudyEv - What an interesting story. By today's standards, her outfit looks quite conservative and stylish. 
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40849)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 Sep 19
@JudyEv - Oh, my! When we were young, the mini skirts I wore were much shorter. In fact, when I let my hands hang at my side, I expected my fingertips to touch the flesh on my legs, or my skirt was not short enough! That dress doesn't even come close!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Sep 19
@DeborahDiane So true. One skirt I wore - I'd undo the waistband and pull it down a bit till I got out of the house or my Dad would have had a fit. 
3 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
27 Sep 19
Tony has commented he sees more with the leggings than he had ever in his life.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Sep 19
Leggings!! They should be banned for some people. They leave nothing to the imagination. 
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
27 Sep 19
I like the fashion back then. The model is very beautiful.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Sep 19
oh my! no doubt such did've tongues waggin' 'n many quite offended. most 'f those folks'd be horrified by the 'attire' worn these days. 'r should i say lack 'f?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
29 Sep 19
@JudyEv yes ma'am. i'm shocked by 't quite oft myself, lol. so true, 'nless worn to one'f the fancy horse races anyhow. folks still dress fancily fer those here.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Sep 19
@crazyhorseladycx Melbourne Cup Day in Australia brings out some incredible fashions and fancy hats. Many dress up for other race meetings too but not all do.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Sep 19
I remember Shrimpton from the swinging London 60s. Her nickname was "The Shrimp."
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Sep 19
@JohnRoberts You're right. I should have checked my facts.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Sep 19
@JudyEv That was Mandy Rice-Davies and Christine Keeler.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
27 Sep 19
She would not be allowed into our Kentucky Derby thoroughbred race. All the women wear fancy hats on that day. It's a Derby tradition! As she was at your Australian Derby, she would be underdressed...scandalous 
2 people like this
@DianeBorg (791)
• Malta
27 Sep 19
Compared to what girls wear today, she was really dressed properly.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Sep 19
@DianeBorg And some don't like to buy very much cloth at all, do they?
1 person likes this
@DianeBorg (791)
• Malta
29 Sep 19
@JudyEv Today they try to save money by using less cloth. (Just joking).
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
27 Sep 19
She was a really pretty model and so it didn't matter what she wore. No hat so she looked a little more modern, no gloves or stockings so that was unusual. I imagine people of those days would hate modern fashions in today's world. Her dress looks sweet and very high class for that era.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40052)
• Toccoa, Georgia
27 Sep 19
I remember being young, in the late 60s and wearing white gloves with my Sunday school and Church dress.
1 person likes this
