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Story: Clothes

Working clothes

Image
Group of workers sitting around table drinking tea

The Greco family of Island Bay, Wellington, pictured here in 1962, sport the kind of casual work clothes still worn by many New Zealanders. In particular the checked woollen bush-shirt, as worn by the man on the right, remains popular for outdoor activities. Woollen work shirts, often known by the trade name Swanndri, were first developed in the 19th century.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: AAQT 6539-A69523

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How to cite this page

Fiona McKergow, Clothes – Clothing and identity, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4158/working-clothes (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Fiona McKergow, published 3 March 2009.