This pair of shorts and top is typical of casual wear in the 1970s. As such it is in marked contrast with the rest of the Beverly Silby collection which all relates to her 1964 wedding. The top is also of interest as it was made by Beverly Silby based on a pattern she used each year in her dressmaking classes to primary and high school students. As she recalls, 'they made dresses like this with elastic around the waist and they thought they were so gorgeous and they were so easy to make'. Taken together this collection of clothing and accessories provides an insight into Beverly Silby's life. In her description of the collection she writes, 'I am just an ordinary person with no claim to fame and certainly not to fortune of any monetary kind, but hope that someway this collection will give some idea of the clothes that people such as myself have worn through their life. It is a form of social history, and I felt that it was worthy of recording.'

The top was made by Beverly Silby and the shorts by Sport Fashions.

Worn about 1973 and then for many years. The navy shorts were a favourite of Beverly and she wore lots of different tops with them. This red top is typical of the cool tops she wore. Often made out of left overs or tiny remnants. She used this idea when teaching sewing to the year 6 girls at Berrigan Primary school in the late 1970s as it is easy and quick to construct. As she recalls, 'I used this basis to teach the girls and they made dresses like this with elastic around the waist and they thought they were so gorgeous and they were so easy to make'.

Shorts and top, women's, polyester / viscose / cotton, worn by Beverly Silby, Deniliquin, made by Beverly Silby and Sport Fashions, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1970-1980

Navy blue polyester/viscose shorts, fitted waist band, centre zip and button, narrow tie belt. Leg edges trimmed with blue broderie anglais ribbon.

Simple red cotton top, loose to waist, narrow shoulder straps, elasticised around bust line (elastic perished), narrow shoulder straps.

Made: Silby, Beverly; Deniliquin, New South Wales; 1970 - 1979

Made: Silby, Beverly; Sydney; 1970 - 1979


Used: Silby, Beverly; Deniliquin, New South Wales; 1970 - 1979

Label on shorts: '..an original by SPORT/FASHIONS/REGD. SYDNEY/ POLYESTER & VISCOSE/HAND WASH OR DRY CLEAN'.
Top: no marks.

2005/241/9

1970 - 1979