Historical information
This item was worn by Marjorie Burton during summer holidays in Croyde,a village on the west-facing coastline of North Devon, England.
Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995.
In England she did office work – typing, shorthand and secretarial work - in accountants’ offices and also trained as a comptometrist with Burroughs in London. She came from middle-class working church-going family. Her mother was a milliner who made mostl of Marjorie’s clothes, hats and outfits.
Marjorie was married in 1938 to a salesman who later became a mechanic in the R.A.F. during WW11.
Significance
Also called a vintage romper today, the playsuit was a cover-up worn outdoors – either at the beach, in the backyard to catch some sun or for sportswear, generally over swimsuits at the beach or pool, They were so comfortable women often wore them at home too, without swimsuits. Playsuits were usually made of cotton, although they could also be found in rayon. They were brightly colored, in reds, greens, yellows and blues. Floral and Hawaiian prints were popular towards the end of the decade.
This item is an example of an item of women's clothing popular in the mid 20th century.
Physical description
A two piece lady's playsuit. It is yellow with black patterns - stylised flowers . The top is a bra top with a hook and eye closing. The shorts have a zip at the back and close with a hook and eye, There is a white band at the top.
