I can remember when there were very few macadam surfaced roads, and many cars had folding canvas tops that let in the cloud of dust stirred up. I can well imagine that in England a hundred years ago, it was necessary to wear a dust coat and separate hats to protect garments and hair.
"The paper he crammed into
the pocket of his light yellow dust-coat, and extended
his hand as if to assist some one else from the vehicle. "