Floral pant & long tunic ensemble

This two-piece outfit is made from a fabric called Arnel, which was represented in New Zealand by Christine's sister, Anne Pirrit. Christine remembers that she loved the outfit, even though it was considered to be a bit 'risqué' when she wore it because of the bare mid-drift. Christine has lived in Ohaeawai, a small village near Kaikohe on State Highway 1, for 50 years. She was in her 30s in the 1970s. "Kaikohe was our closest centre and in those days it was a vibrant community with a great young group of families. There was a amateur theatre group , we all played golf, we had an active church group of 'young wives', we had fund raising Balls and Cabarets and parties." The main street in Kaikohe was busy with many shops. The fashion shop was called La Femme and owned by Winsome Routley. "She had a great eye for fashion. I would have bought most of my clothes in Kaikohe in those days as with La Femme there was no need to go anywhere else. Read more about 1970s fashion in the New Zealand Fashion Museum publication The Age of Aquarius: A 70s Revolution in Fashion

Details

Credit: Loan courtesy of Christine Ludbrook
Copyright: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 Licence
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturing location: Auckland
Garment type: Two-piece ensemble of pant and long tunic
Material: Printed 'Arnel' jersey knit
Features: Buttons only close over the bust leaving the midriff exposed
Colour: Navy, yellow, turquiose, gold, white
Purchase location: Kaikohe
Exhibition: The Age of Aquarius: A 70s Revolution in Fashion
Label: Miss Deb
Date: 1970s