#Www postie fashions full

This new uniform was hugely successful and was worn right through to the 1980s. Then, too, the uniform must be designed to suit the type of work which these people do’. Uniformed staff in the Post Office cover a wide age group, from teenagers who are growing rapidly and who like to feel they are right fashion-wise, to elderly men who prefer a more conservative outfit. Our present uniform, influenced in its design by the battle dress of the war years, is getting out of dateīecause persons in uniform stand out in a crowd, their uniforms should be as attractive as possible, up to date, and a source of pleasure to the wearer. Fashions change new materials are available. ‘It’s time Post Office people had a new uniform. The arrival of the new uniform was announced in a 1964 Post Office Magazine article:

Postal uniform ensemble, 1960s–1980s, by Duprez Ltd, The New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. Post Office: History – Uniforms Archives New Zealand, The Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua The new look, which was offered in a range of different styles, was grey, and kept a number of traditional elements like the red piping and silver buttons seen in earlier uniforms. In 1964, the Post Office decided that it was that time again for a new uniform for their posties and telegraph workers. Prior to the introduction of the new grey uniforms in the 1960s, women did not have an official postal uniform which they were required to wear during their rounds. Although they were paid less and completed shorter mail routes, this marked the beginning of the incorporation of women posties into the Post and Telegraph Department in New Zealand. The first postwoman in New Zealand began delivering mail in Wellington in 1942, and was one of many who replaced the men who had been called up for military duties. Te Papa (GH018179) Women in the Post Office This objection does not appear to be sustained, for the reason that returned servicemen appear to be most keen for the adoption of the battle-dress style.’ Postal uniform greatcoat, 1964, by A. ‘One objection which was raised against the adoption of the battle-dress type of uniform was the suggestion that it would be a reminder of the War which returned soldiers might dislike. An excerpt from this proposal outlines these concerns: In fact, there was a lot of thought surrounding the sensitivities to returned soldiers and possible triggers of the newly proposed military-style uniform. Social pressures and influences swayed the way in which the uniforms were designed. Postal uniform, 1964–1965, Wellington, by Rexwear Ltd. Heavily influenced by military uniforms, the new postie look consisted of a smart green blouson jacket with trousers, along with a new greatcoat. Jumping forward to the 1940s, a change of uniform for the postie was proposed after WWII. Postal uniform, 1920s– 1950s, by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. Our uniforms from this period also have employee name labels inside the pockets and belonged to a P.

#Www postie fashions full

For instance extra reinforcements have been added in the groin and shoulder areas to avoid discomfort whilst biking and carrying heavy bags full of mail.

With its thick, dark blue-black woollen overcoat, along with a jacket and trouser set, this uniform is influenced by military uniforms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Īlthough seemingly dark and formal, this uniform set has a number of interesting features. The earliest uniform set in our collection dates to around the early 1910s and were worn by posties up to the late 1940s. I’ve spent the past few months researching these changing style trends between the 1910s to the 1980s. Over the past 100 years, postie uniforms have changed to keep up with current fabric technology and contemporary fashion trends. Fearless when it comes to facing the ferocious weather elements, posties today continue to work hard delivering our mail. Posties have been working and delivering mail to residents in New Zealand for over 150 years.

Museum studies intern Ruby Abraham takes us through the postie uniforms in our collection, from military styled suits to vibrant and funky tracksuits that leave little to the imagination! Ruby Abraham preparing the uniforms for photography, 2018. New Zealand’s timeline of fashion history has seen many trends and developments over the years, and the New Zealand Post postie uniforms are no exception.