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Midweek with Holmes - Walkshorts

1989 4m Television
  • News/Current Affairs
  • Arts/Culture

This report from current affairs show Midweek with Holmes mourns a New Zealand fashion death. The once ubiquitous polyester walkshort, knee sock and sensible shoe combination was no more, with sales of the male civil servant uniform falling off a cliff. Reporter Anita McNaught looks at the history of this fashion phenomenon, and finds its roots in the 'Bombay bloomers' worn by Kiwi soldiers in the Middle East in WWll. McNaught has trouble finding walkshort fans in the fashion departments of major retailers — but in one region of New Zealand nylon socks and hairy thighs and knees will never go out of style.