Woman's natural linen automobile coat or duster, ca. 1900

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Image of Woman's natural linen automobile coat or duster, ca. 1900 — 1975.6148.21

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Woman's natural linen automobile coat or duster, ca. 1900

Between 1890 and 1910, fashion designers struggled to come up with a driving garment for women. Driving an automobile was almost always an adventure. Cars lacked roofs and windshields, and were very unreliable. Roads, mostly unpaved, were dusty or muddy. Both men and women preferred the new natural linen motor coats, sometimes called "dusters." These garments were considered chic and modern - and they didn't show dirt. This linen motor coat belonged to a member of the Schoenfield family of Seattle. The Schoenfelds were very active in Seattle's early automotive scene.

ID Number: 1975.6148.21C2189

Date: Circa 1900

Physical Description: 1 Coat, Dust; linen; 52 in.H x 15.5 in.W

Credit: MOHAI, 1975.6148.21 C-2189

Subjects: Clothing and Dress, Transportation