In 1949, one magazine suggests that when choosing a wardrobe for travel, you should spend the most on items you'll wear the most; on items that can be translated into your everyday life after the trip. Of course, in 1949, women dressed much more formally for travel than we do today, and a good suit was considered essential for a trip by plane, train, ship, or car.
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John Perna of Simon Cohen fashioned this suit of wool gabardine and trimmed it with matching braid. Our traveler accessorizes it with white pigskin gloves, a Koret handbag, a Suzy helmet hat with separate veil that ties in the back, and a fur stole. The suit sold for $70 in 1949 (about $627 in today's dollar). Amelia Earhart luggage.
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Here, the same suit worn to work after the trip with a silk scarf tucked into the neckline.
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For a motoring trip, this woman wears a three piece ensemble of soft-toned wool plaid by Swansdown. She accessorizes it with a Roger Van S. leather shoulder bag, an Anglebasque beret, and leather gloves. The suit and coat each sold for $60 in 1949 (about $538 in today's dollar).
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Here, she wears the same suit with a classic camel coat by Rutherford for a different look.