19 photos that show how much flight attendant uniforms have changed since the glory days of aviation

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SFOM FIF 13

Image Courtesy of SFO Museum

Braniff International Airways hostesses in uniforms, 1965

Since the 1930s, flight attendant uniforms have varied widely in their style, challenging the designers who create them to stay current with the times, while also developing a distinct look that represents the particular airline.

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The SFO Museum at San Francisco International Airport is currently honoring both the designers who have pushed the envelope and the attendants who have worn their looks. The exhibition "Fashion In Flight: A History of Airline Uniform Design" is on display from now until January 2017 and features 70 female airline uniform ensembles from 20 different airline carriers.

Take a look back, from the 1940s onward, at some of the finest stewardess get-ups designed by big names like Valentino and Vivienne Westwood.