So *that's* where the term comes from!

[changeling]

The introduction of "the horseless carriage" into American life at the dawn of the 20th century presented ladies with a dilemma in dressing: how to protect their fancy, feminine apparel from the dust and grime of motoring in an open automobile? The smart and sensible solution was a loose-fitting unlined coat called, fittingly the "duster".

Comments

[barrington.livejournal.com]

Are you sure? I thought the term pre-dated horseless carriages, and applied to a sturdy coat worn by women or men when riding coaches or horses for any distance in dusty country. I know it's been used in the context of Westerns I've seen or read, but since I've not seen it in any proper historical context, it could be anachronism...

Is the duster you refer to specifically something women wear?

[delirieuse.livejournal.com]

This is just a quote I found, repeated verbatim from the site. Alas, I did not note which site it was from. Quite remiss of me.

If what I quoted was accurate, it would be the origin of the term. No doubt it extended beyond its original usage.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

I thought the duster was originally the robe you wore when getting your hair powdered.