Appropriate driving attire 5 December 1903

AT THE GENESIS of the automotive age, cars really were essentially no more than mechanised carriages: a minimal body on a frame with zero protection from outside elements.

So whereas you will drive to work this December (or will you?) in your work clothes, with the heater on and maybe enjoying a heated seat and wheel, motorists in 1903 had to wrap up apparently for the Arctic.

An advert placed in Autocar that winter by Dunhill of London showed its amazing range of ‘motorities’.

Motoring then was a preserve of the rich: a satin-lined opossum fur cloak cost £34 13s (£4290 today) with an optional squirrel hood for £2 2s (£245); a white seal fur coat with a raccoon collar cost £16 16s (£2080); a ladies’ full-length coat with a storm collar and wind cuffs was £14 14s (£1830); and foot muffs cost £1 10s (£125) from seal fur or £2 (£245) if you preferred leopard.

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