Fashion of the Porter Women

See a century of stylish and changing fashions captured in photos, homemade clothing and charming accessories.

Contemporaries described the Porter women as 'well dressed'. Florence, Ella and Hazel Porter were prolific producers of fabulous clothing and household textiles - from underwear to business suits, party gowns, everyday dresses and accessories.

Edwardian studio photographs reveal Florence Porter tightly corseted and clad from wrist to ankle in high-necked clothing and extravagantly large hats. Florence was a skilled craftswoman, probably sewed her own clothing and was well known for her handmade lace and crochet trimmings. One of her early purchases was a sewing machine, ordered from Anthony Hordern's Palace Emporium while on the wedding trip in Sydney and well used during the rest of the twentieth century.

By the 1930s, Florence's daughters, Ella and Hazel, were at business college and in employment. Both work and everyday wear were structured and accessorised with hats and gloves essential for the properly dressed woman. Hazel, like her mother and sister, took pride in her appearance and there are many coat or jacket-and-skirt ensembles in the collection.

Miss Porter's House has an especially rich crimplene clothing collection - the wash-and-wear miracle fabric of the 1960s, enthusiastically embraced by the Porter women. They made numerous work and leisure dresses, jackets, a suit and even a hat from the new material.

Facilities at Fashion of the Porter Women

• Family Friendly
• Shop / Gift Shop

Accessibility Information

• Disabled access available, contact operator for details.