Help dating a 2 piece playsuit

S

Simone

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I bought this playsuit recently and I cannot figure out whether it is true 40s or a later reproduction (maybe 80s?). The style is very 40s but there are no labels - it might be very nicely homemade. The fabric is a soft cotton linen-like material, and the seams are either turned under and top-stitched or finished off by hand to prevent fraying. The shorts close with 4 buttons - mostly I am having trouble figuring out whether these type of buttons were used in the 40s; they are plastic with a iridescent paint on them. Any help would be much appreciated!
 
Woops! Accidentally posted without photos
 

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Very cute! Does the fabric feel cool? It looks like a slubbed silk to me, and the panelled construction of the culottes and side button fastening is saying earlier to me, 40's or late 30's even. I've seen a late 30's swimsuit with a bare midriff that had a tie front...
 
Yes, it does feel pretty cool - I think you're right in that it might be silk. Do the buttons seem consistent with that time period to you?
 
I can't remember ever seeing pearlised fisheye buttons, it's a finish normally reserved for shanked buttons, because they either can't be made of shell or are too expensive to produce. Are you sure they aren't real mother of pearl? When only finished on one side the back will often look like flint, darker, shardy and irregular - where the outer shell has not been removed, although earlier shell buttons can be finished both sides. They have a much harder feel than plastic, but can be thinner and lighter.
 
I'm fairly sure they're plastic based on your description - they're uniform on both sides, and the paint is chipping off in places which makes me think they're only made to look like mother of pearl. Everything about the set feels 40s to me, but the buttons are the only thing that's making me second guess myself, only because I don't know much about buttons!
 
Second only to zips I think, buttons are one of the most frequently replaced parts of a vintage garment.
I don't know if that sort of button was available in the 40's, other people may know.

I forgot to say, either this was sewn by a beginner or I might suggest it was sewn on a hand cranked sewing machine, going by the not quite straight lines!
 
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