When the motorcar arrived, adventurous Edwardian ladies embraced the freedom of the open road—along with the dust, wind and inevitable mechanical mishaps. Motoring soon demanded its own stylish wardrobe, with veils to protect elaborate hats and practical petticoats designed to cope with less-than-glamorous journeys.
Lot 2507 in our Specialist Collectors' Sale (11-13" August) includes a rare Edwardian lady's motoring veil and petticoat, complete with the delightfully practical handwritten note:
"Motoring petticoat frill comes off to clean." Even the most fashionable motorists knew some parts of the outfit had to be washable!
Surviving examples of these garments are uncommon, making them valuable records of both fashion and social history.