"Flair" (September 1964)

 On the cover of Flair September 1964: a shift dress made up in a very lively yellow print:

Unusually the magazine tells us more about the fabric designer than the fashion designer or the manufacturer:

Making news, a striking abstract print by English-born artist Mik Kitching, prize winner in this year's Australian Fashion Fabric Design award: here interpreted in a care-free Terylene taffeta...

A regular feature in Flair was "Ask Us and receive expert fashion advice from Patricia Wise" in which ordinary women sought help with their clothes.  This issue contained a letter from a "middle aged housewife... working for one or two pet charities" asking for advice in putting together a "well co-ordinated efficient wardrobe".  I'm going to quote Mrs Wise's reply in full, because it describes the kinds of clothes worn by the women who didn't get into the fashion histories.  Notice that she takes it for granted that her correspondent can sew!

The following is a basic summer wardrobe plan we feel would suit your way of life.  Pattern numbers in brackets are indicative of the styles we mean.

Slim summer coat of navy linen, rayon or shantung (Simplicity 4355)

Dark green suit (McCalls 6531, but with buttoned front) of linen or synthetic, to wear with white pin-tucked Dacron blouse or printed silk blouse in white, green and touches of pink.

Classic shirtdress in blue and green Paisley print (Simplicity 5258)

Three-piece suit in white-spotted navy silk (Simplicity 5151, version 1) with top made as straight overblouse which can also be worn under green suit.

Basic dress or slim two-piece in sand-colored linen or rayon (Simplicity 4906).

Crepe dinner dress (McCalls 6813); we like the idea of palest ice-green rather than black.

Theatre suit with overblouse and optional slim skirt (Simplicity 5206) in dusty pink Thai silk (could have a very pale grey lace top as well).

Your accessories could be navy straw hat pinned with white camellia (or knotted with silk to match your ensemble), navy kid shoes and handbag, navy kid gloves; a pair of stack heeled white shoes with navy trim, white gloves; pale grey evening shoes and slim purse.

Of course I have no idea if "Modern Mum" ever took Mrs Wise's advice and assembled this wardrobe!