What to wear – 400 years ago

ArtsNational Narrabri’s latest arts talk explored extremes of fashion, showcasing styles from the sixteen to the nineteenth centuries on Monday, September 16, at The Crossing Theatre.

The talk was presented by UK art historian Rosalind Whyte.

Before delivering her lecture, London-based Rosalind, with her partner Claire Jackson, enjoyed a visit to Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park, and were hugely impressed with Narrabri’s Visitor Information Centre.

At Monday evening’s talk, the audience were treated to stunning portraits painted during these eras, canvassing the changing styles largely dictated by the royal courts and followed by those wealthy enough to purchase the beautiful fabrics and adornments.

Styles were discussed in detail, accompanied by the ridiculous, the bizarre and the idiosyncrasies that were considered at the time normal attire and grooming habits to fix fashion and beauty problems.

Who knew that mouse fur was used to augment eyebrows?

Or that flea problems could be solved by carrying a flea fur?

Or that cosmetics at the time consisted of toxic ingredients such as lead and mercury?

Comparisons of recurring fashions were made.

The towering hairstyles worn by women in the 1770s came back as the famous beehive hair of the 1960s.

During the 16th century it became high fashion to slash or cut fabrics in a decorative manner, and this came back in the punk rock era and is still seen today.

The early 1870s saw the use of tournures (bustles), and similar effects can be seen on today’s red carpets and in wedding dresses.

The final arts talk to complete the 2024 ArtsNational series will be held in October, featuring Henri Matisse, whose work is greatly revered and still an inspiration to emerging artists today.

Born in 1869, Matisse is one of the undisputed masters of 20th century art.