How much? For a coat??

I'm not sure if I'm recommended this site before, but I should have, if not:

http://vitaphone.blogspot.com/

The author presents wonderful images and sound files (with a focus on early pop recordings), but his insights are interesting and informative, too.

F'rinstance, he recently talked a bit about the craze among collegians in the late 1920s for raccoon coats. Turns out those little numbers cost $395 back in the day -- nearly $4500 in modern moolah.

Can you imagine the average freshman or sophomore today approaching his or her parents with a request for a winter coat that costs five grand? Sure, some parents can afford such an extravagance, but certainly not most, and even some of those who can afford would never fork over such bug bucks for a mere coat.

But the raccoon coat was a serious craze back in the day, and not just among the well-to-do.