KCIDigital Archives

The KCI Digital Archives on the KCI website presents image and text information for the objects in the collection, arranged in chronological order.

Coat, Hood, Blouse, Skirt

© The Kyoto Costume Institute, photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

You can enlarge by putting the mouse cursor on the image.

Coat, Hood, Blouse, Skirt

c. 1903 - unknown (Country)

Material
Brown plain-weave linen coat, cording decoration and wrapped buttons; hood of white silk "habutae" and tulle, transparent mica shield around eyes; blouse of wool twill with polychrome stripes; skirt of gray wool.
Inventory Number(s)
AC3933 81-25-49, AC4477 83-11-13, AC2083 79-5-13, AC4175 81-29-5

The clothing for automobile rides. Cars were a luxury at the beginning of the 20th century, when this outfit was made. In those days cars had no roofs, and driver and passengers were exposed to winds and rain. Furthermore, because roads were unpaved, motorists had to endure considerable dirt and dust. Accordingly, driving outfits needed to include a long coat, eye protection, and a dust hood, which was far from graceful. However, driving was the latest pleasure and a status symbol for the wealthy of that era.

1900s