The Duster Coat

The Duster Coat first caught my attention when my daughter, Tammy, decided to make one for a friend. She obtained a pattern from Etsy online and fabric from Joann’s. She completed sewing the duster in time for her friend to wear it driving his 1903 Cadillac for a car tour in England. 

One of the first versions of the coat was made of coarse wool and was worn by the Dutch at sea to protect them from the cold sea water. In early America, horseback riders wore the coat to protect themselves from dust and dirt. Later, the first automobile drivers wore the full-length, light-colored canvas or linen duster to protect themselves the same way as the open cars traveled dusty roads. In the early 1900s, the duster became popular for both men and women as it was worn inside for manual labor to leisurewear. 

The Duster Coat now makes a fashion statement as the leather duster coats were the fashion “must haves” for the winter of 2023, bringing it from the past into the future. 

Marion and her husband, Charlie, are long-time VAE members. They reside in Colchester, VT.