dating two piece pajamas - tunic top & shorts

[Auntie Establishment]

I need help in determining the age of these pj's. The style of the top seems older - like 1930s-40s but the bottoms are shorts with an elastic waist. There is no evidence that they have been altered. That indicates to me that they are no later than 1950's. The shorts also have an odd inserted piece like you would find in the 30s /40s when you just didn't have enough on one leg - front and back. The top is also long like a tunic. Pinked seams, no hand stitching - all machine. Not home sewn - there is the remnant of a tag. Cotton plisse.

 

[denisebrain]

Could the pajamas be home sewn? I can imagine an older pattern made into this pair.

 

[retro ruth]

there's the remains of a label so unlikely to be home sewn... and pinked seams on a commercial garment does mean it's likely earlier, as you say.

The fabric pattern, particularly those bows, looks 50s ish to me, though I'm not certain. Maybe 40s, but there's a sweet kitschy style to the bow I associate more with the 50s. But I can see why you'd think the top seems earlier.

Is it possible the shorts were originally longer? it would be easy to shorten them without this being evident. Just something to consider.

Sorry I'm not much help. If you, or someone else here, has access to something like Sears catalogues, it would be good to look through pyjama ads and see if you can find something similar, especially that longer tunic top and in a similar fabric.

 

[Auntie Establishment]

Could the pajamas be home sewn? I can imagine an older pattern made into this pair.

There is the tag remnant in the top. As seen in one of the photos. The tag is of a stiffer fabric. Not paper or cardboard, but not a woven fabric label like I would associate with a 30s/40s garment. Which is a another indicator to me that they are 50s. I have two pair, this blue and another one in pink. They came to me with a bunch of other older stuff. 30 40s. which doesn't mean anything...!

 

[Auntie Establishment]

there's the remains of a label so unlikely to be home sewn... and pinked seams on a commercial garment does mean it's likely earlier, as you say.

The fabric pattern, particularly those bows, looks 50s ish to me, though I'm not certain. Maybe 40s, but there's a sweet kitschy style to the bow I associate more with the 50s. But I can see why you'd think the top seems earlier.

Is it possible the shorts were originally longer? it would be easy to shorten them without this being evident. Just something to consider.

Sorry I'm not much help. If you, or someone else here, has access to something like Sears catalogues, it would be good to look through pyjama ads and see if you can find something similar, especially that longer tunic top and in a similar fabric.

I did think the shorts may have been shortened, but they don't look like it to me. The hem looks original factory. Plus I have another pair exactly the same in another colorway. Of course, they both could have been shortened, but I am leaning toward the theory that the shorts are original. The length of the top and the elastic waistband of the shorts is throwing me. Otherwise I would have pegged them as 30's. Possibly 40's. The bows look 40's to me. But I could believe 50s also. Ugh! Sometimes vintage is so easy to date and other times it is so hard! It's like being married! lol. I have looked extensively online for images but I will specifically look at catalog images for pajamas in the different eras. Thank you for that tip!

 

[Auntie Establishment]

Now I am wondering if the top could have been a 30s nightgown that was cut off and the remnant was made into shorts in the 50's or later?

 

[anothertimevintageapparel]

That makes Perfect sense!!! I see the top as once being a gown

 

[Auntie Establishment]

That makes Perfect sense!!! I see the top as once being a gown

I will do some more research.... I want to get out the other pair that I have and examine them also. But so far that is my conclusion. Otherwise nothing adds up. Thank you!