Fashion

[Nonametoday]

When I think of a duster, I think of a coat that is shorter than an overcoat.  It can be part of a suited garment.  My mother wore them.  She would have a skirt and instead of it having a short jacket or blazer, it had a duster of same fabric, usually wool and if it was a crepe dress, the duster would be of the same fabric and lined.  I recall she had a beautiful tweed skirt with matching duster in a soft brown and a herringbone tweed.  The herringbone tweed was black/white and it had a red velvet collar.  My mother knew how to dress. Even with dementia, I don't think she would have ever worn a dress over pants and called it a duster.

[Icegoddess]

@Nonametoday I think of a duster as being rather long.  I thought the name came from those long coats you often see men wearing in cowboy movies that would protect their long clothing from dust and dirt.

IMO, a duster wouldn't have an obvious waistline, so it would take just the right dress to also wear as a duster.  So, dresses as dusters are pretty much a no for me.  

I would only wear one open in the front much like I like my cardigans.  

[Nonametoday]

---

@Icegoddess wrote:

@Nonametoday I think of a duster as being rather long.  I thought the name came from those long coats you often see men wearing in cowboy movies that would protect their long clothing from dust and dirt.

IMO, a duster wouldn't have an obvious waistline, so it would take just the right dress to also wear as a duster.  So, dresses as dusters are pretty much a no for me.  

I would only wear one open in the front much like I like my cardigans.  

---

@Icegoddess 

You are right about the origins of the duster. That stands to make a lot of sense.

However, when I grew up in the 1950s with my well-dressed mother and her sister, wore them the way I indicated. 

Lucille Ball wore lots of toppers and dusters.  She was very well dressed in the 1950-60s.

I recall my mother and my beautiful auntie wearing toppers but my auntie who was about 3 inches taller than my mother (about 5-10) looked much better in them than my mother so my mother only ever owned one, which she wore infrequently.

You are always so well dressed! Thank you for your input.

[MG Chris]

I would wear a button down dress as a duster. I love them and own several.

i thought Christie Brinkley rocked that white outfit with the navy dress as a duster the other day. 

[ECBG]

I wore a dress as a duster because I wore a pretty top but it was sleeveless and I freeze.  The open dress I wore over it was petite so I didn't have a lot of fabric.  A sweater was too much.

[occasionalrain]

If you would wear a long sweater cardigan or a trench coat, a shirt dress with pockets belted or with its  belt tied in the back, isn't much different. The dress is just lighter weight and cooler to wear in summer. 

[Squirrels Are Trash]

I had a few dusters. When I went into the office, I wore them occasionally. Right now, I only have one. I wear it with leggings or very skinny pants/jeans.

[ECBG]

@kate2357 

I've used solid color button down beach coverups.  I'm 5' 51/2 so it worked.

[Franklinbell]

No, she wears a uniform in the salon. When she is working servicing clients.She is old school and she wears a uniform.we are also great friends and meet out for various occasions. I am her daughters godmother so I see them often!

[Carmie]

I don't and wouldn't wear a duster.  I don't even wear button front shirts or blouses anymore, except for one I wear under a crew sweater,  and I never owned a button down dress.

I am not a fan of button anything, especially in the bust area. The fabric gaps and I find myself having to sew on and replace lost buttons.

Too much bother for me. I prefer pop overs or back zipper closures.