Vintage Suits for Travel and Beyond

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.

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.

Here, the same suit worn to work after the trip with a silk scarf tucked into the neckline.

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).

Here, she wears the same suit with a classic camel coat by Rutherford for a different look.