THEY talk about “great years” when describing vintages of wine. I know it’s a long bow but you could also draw similar parallels in the fashion industry.
While 1974 was a disastrous year for Australian wine, it was a great year for one Australian fashion label. It marked the birth of Country Road.
From its humble beginnings in 1974, Country Road has travelled a long and winding road. While many others have fallen, the journey of this iconic lifestyle brand makes for a great Australian yarn, and one that needs to be celebrated.
I remember my first Country Road purchase – a short-sleeved striped work shirt with a plain white peter pan collar. It was 1979 and I was a young cadet journalist living in Burnie, a small rural community in northwest Tasmania.
Burnie is not known for its sartorial splendour, but there was one small beacon of style. A boutique called Yeltour (or spelt backwards, Routley, a small statewide menswear chain) – which stocked great Australian labels such as George Gross and Harry Who, Jill Fitzsimon, Sally Browne and Country Road among others.
Preppy aesthetic
At that time, Country Road, under founders Steve Bennett and sister Jane Parker, was building a reputation for upmarket workwear clothing with a classic preppy aesthetic.
Suffice to say, I have been a loyal customer since. It has been a relationship built on trust and respect, one that has never let me down.
In 1994, I remember the immense pride and excitement of discovering a Country Road store on Madison Ave in New York. And, while living in Singapore several years ago, it was comforting to know there was a “good friend” close by that I could depend on.
And just as I have matured and my tastes have changed, so too has the brand. But it is their commitment to Australian merino wool that is the hallmark of the brand. And as a “girl from the bush”, you just can’t beat anything in wool.
Every year, I buy a couple of the Country Road wool knits. They are an essential part of my winter wardrobe. I have them in black, navy, grey, coral pink and camel. However, I’ve also just bought the spot woollen scarf (in the pictures), worn over a Country Road camel wool knit and have belted it thus.
But it’s Country Road’s party. So get behind a great brand, great product and support our struggling farmers. Buy Australian wool.
Are you a fan of Country Road? Do you also remember your first purchase? I’m doing my bit, but are you doing yours? Would love to hear from you. Ever stylishly yours …
I always dressed my son in Country Road when he worked for RANVET …. Bart Cummings …. And one of my daughters and still do love Country Road 😉👌🤗
Hey Dulcie,
Happy new year! And thanks for dropping by.
Yes, you really can’t beat Country Road. After all these years, they are still a fashion force.
I remember my first CR purchase in about 1979/1980. It was a short-sleeved pinstripe shirt with a white peter pan collar from a small store (Yeltour) in Burnie, Tasmania. It was back in the day when Steve Bennett and his sister Jane Parker had the business.
Take care.
Anne-Maree
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