Tour of Fashion Departments at McKinlay's Store, 1946

An excerpt from a radio tour around the women's fashion department at McKinlay's Store in Launceston, Tasmania in 1946.

In this short segment announcer Mrs Margot Parker, president of the 7EX radio station's Women's Association, talks with Miss Bradbury about the frocks, coats, jumpers and suits on offer in the store.

This was recorded in 1946, shortly after the end of the Second World War. Clothing was rationed from 1942 to 1948 in Australia, with each adult receiving 112 coupons per year.

To get an idea of what this would buy, one of the linen suits Miss Bradbury describes cost 13 coupons. Segments like this were an important avenue for stores to promote their wares.

The cover image is a still from The Melbourne Wedding Belle (1953). © Film Australia Collection, NFSA.

Notes by Beth Taylor