And I often wonder – how did women cope here in the hot Australian sun all those years ago wearing the ‘fashionable’ layers of clothing deemed necessary in those days
I also wonder if I would have rebelled at fashion trends of the day and removed many of those layers in the privacy of my home 😊
Linking to Monday Murals hosted by Sami at Colourful World
The silos were painted by Tim Bowden – I’ve been unable to find the names of the Bowen artist
Still Waters 
I see simple cotton clothing there. Depending on undergarments, which appear to have been equally simple, that can be very cool. The very fussy dress was indoors and could have been a different season.
LikeLike
The outerwear could, as Joanne said, have been cool and comfortable. I suspect the layers of undergarments were not. And were hot, uncomfortable and very restrictive.
I have read several memoirs where young women when first forced into corsets went away and took them off. And were forced back into them.
LikeLike
“grin and bare it” – maybe the material wasn’t as tightly woven, or maybe they changed throughout the day – but the corsets and things to make them beautiful possibly a nightmare.
LikeLike
Double layers of clothing actually insulates against heat, I do re-enactment, and am not hotter in my oldies than in modern clothing, rather cooler. But as others have stated corset etc. were not nice (I don’t use those 😉 ). Actually, I think the men are worse off – shirt, waistcoat and jacket … and a tie!
And I must say that those murals are pretty and that clothing from those days are way more aestetically pleasing then modern stuff.
LikeLike
Men were quite heavily dressed at times too. To be a little crude I expect it was tits out once women were home. Someone once tried to argue to me the benefit of wearing heavy clothing in hot weather to keep the heat away from their skin. Nah, I don’t believe it.
LikeLike
Heavy, no, double layer and body covering lose clothing, yes. Tht’s at least my personal experience from Southern Sudan in the 70es – either that or nothing, like the Dinka warriors “wore”- yes even in town!) Ties and waistcoats as males wore on those paintings would be the worst!
LikeLike
I read in Grimble’s ‘Pattern of Islands’ that the governor and his lady would stretch out on their porch in their underwear…so it looks as if the clothing for both sexes was pretty heavy.
LikeLike
Cotton and linen loosely worn are cooler than nothing. They soak up sweat, evap it off and create a layer of cooler air between fabric and skin. In really hot weather I’m not convinced its working tho. Modern synthetics are a nightmare and i can’t believe people wear such stuff in hot climates. Joanne’s got a point tho the everyday stuff looks looser than the formal attire. Hope you are still enjoying your holiday
LikeLike
Living i n the tropics I am amazed at the prevalence of synthetic fabrics….be ideal for a jockey trying to lose weight!
LikeLike
Hi Cathy…All those layers etc., wouldn’t suit me during summer. The few clothes the better as far as I’m concerned. I would have been one of those who tossed it all off once in the privacy of my home…and dipped out of all the afternoon tea parties! (Same applies today…nothing changes!) ::)
I hope you’re enjoying Bowen and its surrounds. Don’t fall into those deep gutters!! Take care. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful silo murals. Thanks for participating in Monday Murals Cathy.
LikeLike
Even the men’s clothes must have been unbearable.
LikeLike