One of two children’s kilts with bodices owned by Heather White and Sandra Hooker (nee White). The Fletcher Jones kilts were made in the 1960s and are in two different tartan designs. They were designed to be lengthened as the children grew by adjusting the hem of the bodice. An original clothing tag (NWM-9154) features a poem about this, which was greatly treasured by Sandra as a child. Three sisters, Sandra, Heather and Melinda, all had kilts as children growing up in the 1960s on a sheep farm near Torquay. The kilts were worn on special occasions, with woollen jumpers worn on top of the bodices. Photos show Heather (aged 8) and Sandra (aged 6) with their younger sister Melinda (aged 1), wearing the kilts at family farms “South Beach” and “Lambidgee”, both near Torquay, in 1965. The kilts were purchased by the children’s grandmother, most likely from Fletcher Jones in Geelong, and were highly valued by the family. This kilt belonged to Heather.

Woollen tartan kilt with cream coloured cotton v necked sleeveless bodice attached. Kilt is green, red and cream.

printed [label]: FLETCHER JONES AUSTRALIA / PURE WOOL / CREATED BY / Fletcher Jones / AUSTRALIA / F. J. DRY CLEANING & REPAIRS / SERVICE WILL CARE FOR / THIS GARMENT always

fletcher jones, kilts, family life, farming, 1960s, fashion, children's fashion, children's clothing, tartan

This tag came with the donation of two children's kilts, and features a poem about the design of the kilt, which was fashioned to be able to be lengthened as children grew, by adjusting the hem of the bodice. The kilts were owned by Heather White and Sandra Hooker (nee White). The Fletcher Jones kilts were made in the 1960s and are in two different tartan designs. Three sisters, Sandra, Heather and Melinda, all had kilts as children growing up in the 1960s on a sheep farm near Torquay. The kilts were worn on special occasions, with woollen jumpers worn on top of the bodices. Photos show Heather (aged 8) and Sandra (aged 6) with their younger sister Melinda (aged 1), wearing the kilts at family farms “South Beach” and “Lambidgee”, both near Torquay, in 1965. The kilts were purchased by the children’s grandmother, most likely from Fletcher Jones in Geelong, and were highly valued by the family.

White folded clothing tag with black printed text and graphics. Front features a black and white image of a child wearing a tartan skirt. Tag has a hole punched in top right corner.

centre: Mary had a little skirt / That fitted her so true / And sure as Mary grew and grew / The little skirt grew too. / Because of / Fletcher Jones / Cute / Length adjustment / (Patent pending) Back: FLETCHER JONES & STAFF PTY. LTD. MELBOURNE, CHADSTONE, FOOTSCRAY, BALLARAT, GEELONG, / WARRNAMBOOL, MORWELL, LAUNCESTON, HOBART, ADELAIDE, CANBERRA, SYDNEY, WOLLONGONG.

fletcher jones, kilts, family life, farming, 1960s, fashion, children's fashion, children's clothing, tartan, clothing tag