Uniform coat
Designer John Patterson & Co. American
Not on view
The heavy black wool broadcloth used in this 1915 chauffeur's coat demonstrates the need for warmth and protection in the early days of the automobile, when motoring was not the comfortable experience it is today. Designed speciically for a chauffer's duties, the front edge of the coat is cut to curve out at the hem rather than straight down, probably to provide more ease of movement and extra leg coverage when sitting. The importance of an impeccable appearance is also addressed by attaching hooks to the points of the collar which correspond to bar tacks on the front of the coat so that the collar always stays in the proper postition.
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