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Alice wears a Flood Wind and Water block bush shirt ($129) and Roar Performance pants ($199) both by Ridgeline, Evolve Tongariro Crossing boots ($100 - sale price) and Stoney Creek hunting cap (39). Tom wears Ridgeline Roar Performance jacket in the Buffalo camo print ($399) and Hunters Element neoprene chest waders in Bushman camo print ($229). Supplied by Centrefire McCarthys Stream and Field store, Dunedin. Photo by Linda Robertson, models by Ali McD. As the duck and pheasant hunting seasons approach, Jude Hathaway has the latest looks for the wetlands and uplands in her sights. Wetsuit Mittens
Maimais are not generally regarded as fashion houses.
Hazy memories of 60 years ago recall the men of the house setting out in the pre-dawn on the first Saturday in May - the revered occasion that marks the opening of the duck-hunting season - in a mish-mash of apparel.
"The common garb for the hunter of the day were primarily woollen garments, perhaps a shabby sports coat, the elbows worn through, a flannel shirt and woollen trousers held aloft by fireman's braces ... when the rain arrived, a well-worn oilskin and souwester hat shed most of it," writes Graeme Hughes in the latest Fish And Game magazine.
Such outfits were the precursor to the variety of weather-proofed wool bush shirts - the likes of the Swanndri range - that are often accompanied by Red Band gumboots.
They continue to do good service in the pre-dawn of opening day, but unless they're well-hidden there's good reason to believe the ducks see them too.
After all, given these birds perfected such skills as precision formation flying aeons before we humans could even get off the ground, they should also be credited with fairly well-honed survival capabilities.
The scenario might go something like this: "Yeah," says the mallard to his offsider on the starboard flank, "There go old Bill and and his mates in their usual place and that boofy labrador hanging about, too.
"A sharp change of direction needed here, guys - and don't be tempted by that cute little female bobbing about on the next pond.
Tom models Ridgeline veiled cap in Buffalo camo print ($30) from Centrefire McCarthys Stream and Field store. Photo by Linda Robertson. "She's not for real, that's for sure."
About five or six years ago, things changed dramatically in New Zealand.
Along came purpose-designed camouflage gear, sleek, refined, sophisticated and effective.
Styled on what was already being worn extensively in North American hunting circles, the apparel is designed to extend beyond keeping the wearer warm and dry.
The camouflage-printed fabric also deceives the ducks by blending into the environment.
Each manufacturer guards its specific camouflage prints closely.
There are prints designed for the green depths of the forest.
Others go well against either an uplands or a wetlands backdrop. Most manufacturers also produce mono-coloured garments to complement the printed styles, all designs happily accommodating both men and women.
"We stock a number of styles in smaller sizes to cater to women," says Howard Halliday, of Centrefire McCarthys Stream and Field store, Dunedin.
He shows how they are packed with special features, including shooters' hoods for camoflage, moisture-wicking liners and snap-closing storm flaps.
He points out their warmth, lightness and waterproof qualities.
The veiled hats may not be quite as alluring as those made popular by Marlene Deitreich in the 1930s and '40s , but they win out in practicality.
"These and special headnets are used to hide the reflection of the face from the ducks are replacing facepaint in popularity, as the paint can get a bit messy on a warm day," Mr Halliday explains.
Chest-waders also come in camo prints.
Made from neoprene, they are stitched, glued and taped to ensure against leaky seams, their lined rubber boots providing toasty warmth.
Gun dogs can also be well-dressed, in insulated camo vests.
Pheasant-hunting is another growing field sport in New Zealand and another for which design-specific apparel has evolved.
This traditional sport began centuries ago in Europe, with pheasant "preserves" only developed in New Zealand in the past decade.
South Canterbury and Central Otago preserves offer regular driven pheasant shoots.
Working as a beater with his young springer spaniel, Billie, each Saturday in the season, Mr Halliday is well-versed in the protocols and dress codes.
"Many men continue to wear dress shirts - and often ties - with moleskin trousers and a tweed jacket and high boots."
Women's clothing lines also include masculine-styled jackets and pants - which are hot on fashion runways right now - and women, too, often wear shirts and ties.
Some will source their pheasant-shooting clothing through the web-based Safari Supply Company, which carries top-of-the-line gear such as the Italian Beretta range.
Alan Millar's Hunting and Fishing store in Dunedin also stocks Beretta.
"Beretta has been manufacturing hunting clothing for 500 years and each season brings out new lines," says Grant Feberi, who owns the Safari Supply Company and is a keen pheasant hunter.
The depth of design and the quality of the cloth - which includes moleskin - show in the elegant pieces, as does that Italian style.
Long Sleeve Wetsuit It's obvious that with the duck- and pheasant-hunting seasons will come distinctive new looks to the wetlands and the uplands of Otago... just like "main street", really.