Photos: Car couture

A 1938 Delahaye 135M Roadster by Figoni et Falaschi is joined by the equally simple and elegant Jeanne Lanvin day ensemble from 1937, which features the most minimal of ornamentation: four gold buttons down the front, and a single yellow band on the hat.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Early on, motorists dressed for the journey, not the destination, donning enveloping coats plus hats and goggles. Here, the perfect accompaniments for a 1913 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout are, from left, a women’s 1910 motoring coat, a men’s 1909 linen duster, a women’s 1910 sporting suit and a men’s 1927 raccoon fur coat.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

For the flapper era, a bold geometric print cotton rayon day dress, circa 1926-27, is paired with goggles and a motoring helmet. The car? A 1923 Mercedes.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Dennita Sewell, the curator of fashion design at the Phoenix Art Museum, and Leslie Kendall, curator at the Petersen Automotive Museum, created the exhibit, “Automotivated: Streamlined Fashion and Automobiles.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

This dapper duo is ready for a drive. The 1930s men’s suit is from the Palm Beach Co., while the 1935 women’s cape, dress and belt were designed by Sophie Gimbel for Saks Fifth Avenue.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The perfect outfit for a ride in a 1937 Jaguar SS-100? A Jeau Carol original dress and a Lily street hat.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The 1934 La Salle Series 350 Convertible Coupe, designed by the legendary Harley Earl, is paired with a 1935-36 rayon crepe dress and hat and a 1939 printed silk Hattie Carnegie dress with circular cutouts.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

For a night out on the town, a 1937 Delage D8 is paired with a 1938 Bergdorf Goodman evening dress.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)