The height of fashion: How flight attendant uniforms have changed over the past 85 years

  • Flight attendant uniforms from as far back as 1930 are on display at San Francisco's international airport 
  • Presented by SFO Museum, Fashion in Flight: A History of Airline Uniform Design offers a look at changing trends
  • Exhibit includes uniforms designed by top names for United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Pan Am and Qantas

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Flight attendant uniforms from the past 85 years are on display at a new exhibit at San Francisco's international airport.

It features more than 70 complete ensembles and accessories created by household names such as Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood, and designers no one has ever heard.

Presented by SFO Museum, Fashion in Flight: A History of Airline Uniform Design has outfits from the 1930s to present, revealing how uniforms have evolved over the years.

The likes of the defunct Pan Am, Britain's Virgin Atlantic and Australia's Qantas are represented in the display.

Featuring a cape, the earliest uniform, belonging to Boeing Air Transport, which is now known as United Airlines, dates back to 1930 and looks like it was inspired by nurse or military outfits.

The swinging 60's are represented in a uniform that Emilio Pucci designed for Dallas-based Braniff International Airways, which ceased operations in 1982. The uniform had a psychedelic pattern with purple, blue and pink, a bowler hat and green calfskin boots. 

United Airlines flight attendants, wearing hats, skirts and jackets, pose in front of one of the carrier's planes in 1939

United Airlines flight attendants, wearing hats, skirts and jackets, pose in front of one of the carrier's planes in 1939

Cabin crew from Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) - which was acquired by American Airlines in 2001 - are pictured in 1939

Cabin crew from Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) - which was acquired by American Airlines in 2001 - are pictured in 1939

A Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) cabin crew uniform designed by Hollywood fashion designer Howard Greer in 1944

A Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) cabin crew uniform designed by Hollywood fashion designer Howard Greer in 1944

Oleg Cassini, who was Jacqueline Kennedy's official designer, created this Trans World Airlines summer uniform in 1955

Oleg Cassini, who was Jacqueline Kennedy's official designer, created this Trans World Airlines summer uniform in 1955

This Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) uniform by Don Loper, from 1959, included a fitted jacket with an hourglass shape

This Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) uniform by Don Loper, from 1959, included a fitted jacket with an hourglass shape

The Pan Am uniform's designer, Don Loper, was a well-known and multi-talented Hollywood figure and Beverly Hills designer

The Pan Am uniform's designer, Don Loper, was a well-known and multi-talented Hollywood figure and Beverly Hills designer

The swinging 60's are represented in a uniform that Emilio Pucci designed for Dallas-based Braniff International Airways in 1965

The swinging 60's are represented in a uniform that Emilio Pucci designed for Dallas-based Braniff International Airways in 1965

A Braniff International Airways flight attendant - wearing a space-inspired helmet - in a uniform designed by Emilio Pucci in 1965

A Braniff International Airways flight attendant - wearing a space-inspired helmet - in a uniform designed by Emilio Pucci in 1965

Braniff¿s new identity - part of a campaign called 'The End of the Plain Plane' - shocked the airline industry (photo from 1965)

Braniff’s new identity - part of a campaign called 'The End of the Plain Plane' - shocked the airline industry (photo from 1965)

United Airlines flight attendants wore this uniform by Academy Award-winning designer Jean Louis in 1968

United Airlines flight attendants wore this uniform by Academy Award-winning designer Jean Louis in 1968

Jean Louis' uniform for United Airlines was a popular A-line, double-knit wool skimmer is slightly fitted and came with a choice of hemline length from top-of-the-knee to three inches above. Worn from 1968 to 1970, the all-season outfit came in Hawaiian Sunset and Maliblue with a Miami Sands stripe. Two optional dresses were also made in Miami Sands with a Hawaiian Sunset or Maliblue stripe

Jean Louis' all-season uniform for United Airlines was a popular A-line, double-knit wool skimmer worn from 1968 to 1970

In 1969, Air France flight attendants began wearing this winter suit by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga

In 1969, Air France flight attendants began wearing this winter suit by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga

Before she presented haute couture in Paris, designer Hanae Mori created this stylish outfit for Japan Airlines in 1970

Before she presented haute couture in Paris, designer Hanae Mori created this stylish outfit for Japan Airlines in 1970

Frank Smith designed this outfit for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in 1971. It was called 'the uniform for the superjet era'

Frank Smith designed this outfit for Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) in 1971. It was called 'the uniform for the superjet era'

Valentino made his mark with this business-like uniform for TWA in 1971. The plum polyester knit dress suit had signature buttons

Valentino made his mark with this business-like uniform for TWA in 1971. The plum polyester knit dress suit had signature buttons

This three-piece United Airlines uniform by Stan Herman, from 1976, had a western theme and was called Classic U.S.A.

This three-piece United Airlines uniform by Stan Herman, from 1976, had a western theme and was called Classic U.S.A.

Qantas hired Yves Saint Laurent to create this uniform with a cropped, tuxedo-style jacket and kangaroo pattern in 1986

Qantas hired Yves Saint Laurent to create this uniform with a cropped, tuxedo-style jacket and kangaroo pattern in 1986

Mexican fashion designer Macario Jimenez created this polyester knit suit for Aeromexico in 2008

Mexican fashion designer Macario Jimenez created this polyester knit suit for Aeromexico in 2008

Virgin Atlantic introduced its current signature red uniforms - with a jacket and pencil skirt - designed by Vivienne Westwood in 2014

Virgin Atlantic introduced its current signature red uniforms - with a jacket and pencil skirt - designed by Vivienne Westwood in 2014

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