The early automobilist fashion was made up of heavy coats and goggles, 1900-1910

After the advent of the automobile in the 1890s, motoring became fashionable among the wealthy. Since early cars did not have roofs or doors and mostly drove on dirt roads, motorists needed clothing that would protect them from wind, cold and dust.

As a result, motoring created not only a demand for new types of protective outerwear but also a more social occasion for sartorial performance.

From car rugs and overcoats to boots and gauntlets, novel lines of purpose-designed clothing and accessories developed rapidly.

Some were more practical than flashy, but from the outset motoring conveyed opulence and privilege, linking driving with glamor and style – an image used to promote a wide variety of products from tires to oil and today. Also promoted in car advertisements.

Fur coats, already a luxury status symbol, were a favorite, and motoring also encouraged the adoption of other, previously fashioned animal skins.

A new range of men's fur coats, shaggy and consciously primitive-looking, included goat, bear, wolf, jackal and raccoon, these heavy, rugged garments used to drive open-topped sports cars. Even when discontinued automobiles became more common. 1920s.

Women's fur motoring coats were designed for comfort and style: for example, a carefully matched gray squirrel skin coat might have a deeply contrasting collar and cuffs of fashionable opossum or fluffy white fox fur.

Summer motorists often wear a loose-fitting lightweight duster or duster coat of unlined canvas, linen, flannel, or alpaca, which is usually off-white, gray, or beige, and the sleeves have elasticated or strapped internal cuffs. .

Protective headgear ranged from peak driving caps and traditional cloth caps to dearstalkers and other hats with ear flaps.

Some women adopted pointed hats, although the cap and veil became more common, to protect the hair and face from dust and oil stains, and to protect the complexion.

To shield the eyes, male drivers usually used goggles, common types of glasses consisting of convex glasses with nickel or aluminum rims and an elastic strap worn around the head, or a one-piece mica mask or eye shield. .

Dedicated motoring goggles encased in a close-fitting leather mask provide the best protection and protect the eyes from the cold wind in winter, which can cause serious eye infections, among other irritants.

Although most women preferred the veil, some used glasses, especially serious female motorists who used to drive at speed.

Other accessories for the early motorist included 'aprons' such as warm fur car rugs and waterproof tarpaulins for the winter; Goat's hair or fur-lined leather footmuffs and foot protectors, and some footmuffs made all-in-ones with a fur lap robe that wrapped around the body.