We are in Australia, the country-continent of relaxed and uncomplicated clothing of the quite particular kind – super practical and always adaptable.
Let’s start in the Outback, a vast, desert-like place where you meet cattle, sheep and – if you’re in luck – some kangaroos – and Paul, a local farmer. The style of his coat hasn’t changed in a century since the first settlers fashioned them out of ships’ sails. His coat is logically called Driza-bone… dry as a bone.
Tattoos are still very popular in Australian culture. In fact, in the Aboriginal tradition, painted lines on the body have been synonymous of clothing for 40 000 years. Tradition also holds pride of place with three young students from King’s School who wear uniforms which date back to British colonial times. Cricket, however, is played in shorts in Australia – in contradiction of the views expressed by Her Majesty, The Queen.
We meet Roberto who praises his Akubra, the must-have of all Australian hats made of rabbit fur. It takes no less than ten rabbits to make one of them. The other typically Australian accessory known the world over are the Blundstones - light boots invented in the 19th century during the gold rush and worn still today.
We also meet Mecca - she is of Lebanese origin and chose to become a lifeguard without giving up wearing the veil. This would seem irreconcilable everywhere else in the world, but not in Australia...