Duster Coats: A Style Guide

A duster coat is a light, loose-fitting, long coat. The original dusters were full-length, light-coloured canvas or linen coats worn by horsemen in the United States to protect their clothing from trail dust. They were typically slit up the back to hip level for ease of wear on horseback. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both men and women wore dusters to protect their clothes when riding in open motorcars on dirt roads. In the 1950s, a duster was a woman's knee-length, button-front unfitted housecoat. In modern fashion, the word duster or duster coat can refer to any full-length coat.

Duster coats are a timeless staple

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dusters were worn by both men and women to protect their clothing when riding in open motorcars on dirt roads. The coats could be made from oilcloth or waxed cotton for better protection against the rain.

The duster coat was later popularised in Western films by director Sergio Leone in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" (1966) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968), where the coats were chocolate brown. This led to a fashion trend for duster coats in the French capital, with department stores needing to warn customers to keep their coats clear of escalators to prevent jamming and injuries.

In modern fashion, the term "duster coat" can refer to any full-length coat, typically worn by women. While they may not reach the floor, they are at least a few inches below the knee, and they are characterised by their light and loose-fitting design. Duster coats are a timeless addition to any wardrobe, offering versatility and style for both casual and dressy occasions.

Dusters are longer than trench coats

The trench coat was invented by the British in the early 1900s for World War I. It was rainy, cold, and muddy in Europe, and soldiers were fighting in these nasty trenches. Hence the name "trench coat". The trench coat was weatherproof against the rain and padded against the cold. It was meant to be worn closed to keep the rain and mud out, unlike dusters that had no buttons or belts and were worn open. The slit up the back of a trench coat was much shorter and only came down to above the knee at most. This gave mobility in a closed long coat that wasn't too long.

In the 1950s, a duster was a woman's knee-length, button-front unfitted housecoat that could be thrown on over underwear for housework or cooking. Dusters are light, loose-fitting coats that do not have buttons and are fastened with a belt, usually worn by women. They are usually made of leather or heavy cotton, especially worn by cowboys in the past.

Dusters were originally worn by horsemen

Dusters are light, loose-fitting, long coats. They were originally worn by horsemen in the United States to protect their clothing from trail dust. These dusters were typically made from light-coloured canvas or linen and slit up the back to hip level, making them easier to wear on horseback. They could also be made from oilcloth or waxed cotton for better protection against the rain.

Dusters designed for riding often included features such as a buttonable rear slit and leg straps to hold the flaps in place. They were worn by both men and women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to protect their clothing when riding in open motorcars on dirt roads.

The duster coat has been popularised by its appearances in film and television. For example, in Sergio Leone's Western films, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), the coats were chocolate brown. In Hong Kong films of the heroic bloodshed genre, protagonists are often seen wearing dusters. In more recent times, dusters have been worn by motorcyclists to prevent road rash.

Today, duster coats are worn by both men and women. They are typically made from leather or heavy cotton and are often associated with cowboys and the American West.

Dusters are fashionable outer garments for women

Dusters are versatile garments that can be worn in various colours and styles. They are commonly worn as part of a western or country-style outfit, paired with "mom jeans" and a tassel top, for example. They can also be dressed up for weddings and smart summer parties, or dressed down for a casual look. Dusters are also suitable for workwear, with a black duster being a particularly versatile piece.

Dusters were originally worn by horsemen in the United States to protect their clothing from trail dust, hence the name. They were typically full-length, light-coloured canvas or linen coats, slit up the back to hip level to make them easier to wear on horseback. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both men and women wore dusters to protect their clothing when riding in open motorcars on dirt roads.

Today, dusters have been popularised by their appearances in film and television, such as in Sergio Leone's westerns, where they are worn by male characters. However, dusters have also made their way into women's fashion, with many retailers offering a range of styles and colours.

Dusters are now a standard item of Western wear

Dusters, originally worn by horsemen in the United States to protect their clothing from dust, are now a standard item of Western wear. The coats were typically full-length, light-coloured canvas or linen, and slit up the back to hip level to make horseback riding more comfortable.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both men and women wore dusters to protect their clothing when riding in open motorcars on dirt roads. Dusters were also worn by cattlemen and ranchers to protect themselves from the elements.

The duster's popularity in Western wear can be partly attributed to its revival in film and television. Director Sergio Leone featured dusters in his Western films, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" (1966) and "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968), influencing both fashion and film. The film "Once Upon a Time in the West" sparked a fashion trend for duster coats in Paris, with department stores cautioning customers to keep their "maxis" clear of escalators to prevent jamming and injuries.

Today, dusters are a versatile piece of outerwear that complement any outfit. They are available in various styles, colours, and sizes, with knee-length and ankle-length options. Dusters are often made from heavy-duty canvas with leather cuffs and collars, suitable for riding or general all-purpose use. They typically feature front flap pockets and may include a buttonable rear slit and leg straps to hold the flaps in place.

Dusters have evolved to become a standard item in Western wear, offering both functionality and style for men and women.

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