‘Shoddy dropping’: how the 1920s cost-of-living crisis fuelled a black market in menswear

Written by The Conversation

New South Wales Police Forensic Photography Archive, Justice and Police Museum, Museums of History New South Wales

With almost all menswear bought off the rack or online today, the “shoddy dropper” has long passed into obscurity.

This 1920s slang term, used only in Australia and New Zealand, referred to roving sellers of cloth. Most...

More Articles ...

Understanding Your Rights Around Property After Separation

Property division is one of the most significant financial matters that arises when a relationship ends, and it's also one of the most commonly misunderstood. Many people assume that assets are simply divided equally, but the reality under Australian family... Read more

Unexpected Industry Prepping for Mad Rush in Pre-Olympic Period
Athletes are not alone in preparing for the 2032 Olympics. Brisbane is buzzing with excitement, with opportunities emerging in both expected and unexpected industries, as everyone rushes to be ready…
Understanding the Role of Hydraulic Systems in Modern Industrial Applications
Industrial machinery, manufacturing systems, and heavy equipment rely on powerful mechanisms to move, lift, and control loads efficiently. Among the most widely used technologies in these environments are fluid power…

How CIOs Can Govern Microsoft 365 Licensing Across Thousands of Endpoints
At enterprise scale, Microsoft 365 licensing is rarely a procurement problem but a governance problem. Organisations managing thousands of endpoints frequently accumulate licence sprawl, misaligned SKUs and underutilised entitlements that…
Why Material Handling Hose Systems Are Critical for Transporting Abrasive Materials in Industry
Industries that handle large volumes of raw materials rely on dependable transport systems to move substances safely and efficiently through different stages of production. Materials such as sand, cement powder…

Aligning Social, Email, and Web Campaigns with Structured Content: Building a Unified Marketing Engi…
Few modern marketing campaigns exist in a bubble. A product launch, for example, may kick off with social media buzz, continue into a targeted email campaign, and finish with a…
Delivering Consistent Brand Messaging Across Global Markets: Building Unity Without Losing Local Rel…
Global expansion is both opportunistic and complicated. As companies venture into new, international territories, they must consider language differences, cultural dynamics, regulatory systems, and consumer needs. However, localization does not…

The Importance of Reliable Bread Crates in Everyday Operations
For bakeries, supermarkets, cafes, and food service businesses, the safe storage and transport of bread is essential. A bread crate is more than just a container; it is a practical…
Supporting International Sales Enablement Through Structured Content
In an international selling environment, companies must contend with different languages, cultural differences, regulations, and varying buyers. As such, sales enablement goes beyond a folder of brochures and presentations but…

Prev Next

The Power of Creative Agencies in Shaping Modern Brands
In today’s digital era, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with their audiences and stand out in a cr…
Understanding Your Rights Around Property After Separation
Property division is one of the most significant financial matters that arises when a relationship ends, and it's also one of t…
Understanding the Role of Hydraulic Systems in Modern Industrial Applications
Industrial machinery, manufacturing systems, and heavy equipment rely on powerful mechanisms to move, lift, and control loads eff…
How CIOs Can Govern Microsoft 365 Licensing Across Thousands of Endpoints
At enterprise scale, Microsoft 365 licensing is rarely a procurement problem but a governance problem. Organisations managing t…
Why Material Handling Hose Systems Are Critical for Transporting Abrasive Materials in Industry
Industries that handle large volumes of raw materials rely on dependable transport systems to move substances safely and efficien…
Aligning Social, Email, and Web Campaigns with Structured Content: Building a Unified Marketing Engine
Few modern marketing campaigns exist in a bubble. A product launch, for example, may kick off with social media buzz, continue …

Is Australia at risk of a recession? Here’s what the data actually shows
Talk of a recession in Australia has picked up in recent weeks. Rising fuel prices, a sharp fall in consumer confidence, and sign…
How Australia’s mining sector locks women out of high-paying roles
Mining is a critical industry for the Australian economy and has the potential to offer secure, well-paid and meaningful careers…
Why Australia is right to put affordable medicine ahead of beating US pharmaceutical tariffs
From July 31, the United States will impose up to 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals coming into the US. Some Australian-made export…
Australia’s biggest stock exchange needs tougher competition, or we all risk paying the price
Almost every Australian has a stake in how well the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) works. Most working adults have superann…
Could NZ’s next Christchurch Call be a push for fairer, safer AI?
Getty ImagesFor New Zealanders, artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming as much a part of everyday life as smartphones and …
This little-known government scheme can help retirees tap into $3 trillion of housing wealth
For many Australians, most of their retirement wealth is tied up in their home. A simple, well-designed program to tap into those…
Want a dog-friendly workplace? Here’s what you’ll need to get right
skynesher/GettyDogs are increasingly appearing in Australian workplaces. From “take your dog to work” days to permane…
In the age of AI, why do Australian company boards have so few technology experts?
Maskot/GettyThe global economy is undergoing major transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) filters into almost every indus…
Housing construction costs are already rising, increasing risks of builders going bust
For Australia’s building industry, higher fuel costs since the start of the Middle East war have been just the start of the…
Banning card surcharges will make paying simpler – but not necessarily cheaper
From October 1, 2026, Australians will no longer pay a fee for debit, prepaid and credit payments using eftpos, Mastercard and Vi…
I’m close to retirement age. What are my options for drawing on my super savings?
Canva, Wikimedia, The Conversation, CC BY-NCRetiring well means making a series of decisions to ensure a financially secure post-…
KiwiSaver payments have to rise – but earners shouldn’t be penalised if they can’t afford it
Getty ImagesThe 2020s haven’t exactly been a golden age for getting ahead.First came COVID, when job security evaporated ov…
The Fair Work Commission has abolished junior rates of pay for most over 18s. It’s a positive step
On Tuesday, the Fair Work Commission handed down a landmark ruling that will phase out “junior” rates of pay for adul…

How to get permanent residency in Australia?
As Australian permanent residency is highly coveted, it is a complex and long process. However, there are multiple avenues throug…
Code Meets Creativity: The Intersection of Software Development and Web Design
Introduction: Where Code Meets Creativity Building a strong web-based presence is no longer just about stunning visuals in the d…
Recovering from the Devastation Left by the Bushfires
Australia is no stranger to natural disasters, from cyclones and floods to never-ending drought and unforgiving bushfire seasons…
Doctor shares how we can strengthen our immunity in the eye of the Coronavirus
There is really no need to panic. Keeping ourselves healthy in an epidemic. Although the Coronavirus is a new virus …
Kitfit RetailTech
Aussie startup founders launch Kitfit, a global RetailTech business set to disrupt the active lifestyle market by putting its…

Celebrate Easter Holiday Savings with Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Easter school holidays are just around the corner; the perfect time to get away with the family and create some special memorie…
Mantra at Sharks
Celebrating Mantra at Sharks’ 2nd Birthday Over the past 12 months, Mantra at Sharks’ has gained significant market moment…
How Downsizing to a Caravan Can Transform Your Lifestyle
If you’re curious about simplifying life while keeping the sense of adventure, caravan and camping sales offer an inviting ga…
Tweed Holidays
A stunning visual deep-dive into the Tweed's array of holiday offerings is now live, with The Tweed Tourism Company (TTC) launc…
Enjoy an Easter Break at the all-inclusive Tamassa Bel Ombre, Mauritius
Tamassa Bel Ombre, Mauritius is hopping into the Easter spirit with an exciting program of activities on Easter Sunday to put a…

NewsServices.com

Content & Technology Connecting Global Audiences

More Information - Less Opinion