In 1904 "motoring" was still very much a recreation for the well-to-do. It was also a fairly rugged pastime, as many early automobiles were completely open and roads were mostly unsealed. Protective clothing was order of the day. A smart lady motorist would require an all-enveloping dust coat to protect her other clothing—such as this example in moleskin, illustrated in the February 1904 issue of The Lady's Realm.
"Motoring modes have done a great deal for the economical woman who does not motor, for she can avail herself of the cosy fur coats in opossum, pony skin, musquash and several of the lesser furs which have been revived with new and improved dressings, and many of which are quite smart enough for ordinary occasions, as well as for travelling, motoring, driving, etc.""London and Paris Fashions": The Lady's Realm, December 1904
The lady motorist would also need to protect her hair, either with a hood (as illustrated above) or by tying her hat on firmly with a veil (also illustrated above).
However, problems in staying clean and tidy while motoring apparently had their 'up' side. An article on the Ladies' Automobile Club appearing in the December 1904 issue of The Lady's Realm actually opined that women were slower and more careful drivers, because "very high speed... destroys a woman's every vestige of beauty and neatness"!
No comments:
Post a Comment