What is Australia's national costume?

Answer 1

Australia probably has no set national costume.

The oldest historical costume would be that of the Australian Aboriginals, and that costume would be very little or nothing at all.

A modern day costume might be beachwear, speedos and suncream, or perhaps board shorts and a sunhat.

Australia does not have a national costume, in the way that the Scottish people have the kilt, for example. However, some common clothing includes: * the Akubra hat, a wide-brimmed hat suitable for wearing in Australia's sunny outdoors - this is commonly worn by both "bushies" (workers in the bush or outback) and city people * shorts, t-shirt and thongs (footwear) for the beach and outdoors Australia now has a national costume. It consists of the Closed fronted 'Bush Shirt', waistcoat, moleskin trousers, elastic sided boots, Akubra or felt styled hat. Women wear a full length cotton print dress, sometimes affectionately called "C.W.A. formal. The costume has been officially recognized by many regional groups especially since the 'Year of the Outback' celebrations. During wet weather, the oilskin raincoat known as the 'Dryzabone" coat is worn.

The oldest historical costume would be that of the Australian Aboriginals, These ceremonial costumes are usually secret and part of their ceremonial wear. Only a few anthropologists have seen them fully attired.

Australia is a multi-cultural country, made up of peoples from all over the world, so there are local celebrations with national costumes from many lands:

Holland, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Scotland, China, Greece, Italy, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Wales, Ireland, Laos, Burma, India, Sri Lanka etc, etc.

Australia now has a form of national costume, the Bush Shirt. This type of clothing is often worn by presenters on TV channels to emphasize the national character. It is seen on film series such as "The Man from Snowy River" and Burke's Back Yard, Pat Callinan's adventures, and so on. We should be proud of it, and wear it on national occasions.

See the related links below for a .pdf on how to make the shirts. They are cheap, fast, and easy to make. And the download is free.