Duster 1900 - 1910

Rogers, Peet & Company made this Duster coat, but the date remains unknown. This garment speaks volumes about the era it may have been made in and the social dynamics of the time. Dusters were functional garments designed to protect clothing from dust and dirt, particularly for those traveling in open vehicles before the widespread use of closed cars. In this sense the garment represents social stratification, and access to transit. It hints at a life of travel and adventure, conjuring images of open roads, early automobiles, and the changing landscape of American society. The duster also invokes a sense of identity and personal presentation; for some, the duster may have been a symbol of practicality, offering protection and blending in. For others, it could have been a statement of status, adventure, or rebellion against convention. Wearing a duster wasn't just about keeping clean; it was about projecting an image and participating in the cultural narrative of mobility and progress.