Help dating this unusual women's piece (1920s to 1940s?)

[LuckycharmVintage]

Happy 2025! I’d love some help dating this unusual piece I picked up recently.

It’s a fine cotton wrap-over blouse for women, featuring a vibrant paisley print, a 'Harrods' label, and a 'W' sizing label. My immediate impression is that it’s from the early 1930s and might have been a more stylish, shorter apron or a 'house' shirt intended for chores. What do you all think?

I’ve come across plenty of 1940s aprons in a similar style, but those are usually longer and don’t have sizing, which makes me wonder if this might actually be a top instead.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—I’ve attached a few photos below. On my mannequin the waist sits high and tight rather than a 20s drop waist style.

Many thanks in advance! <3

 

[retro ruth]

That is unusual. It’s certainly seems like an older Harrods label, and it’s not a label we have in the label resource. 30s or 40s seems likely to me too.

I do think this is probably meant as some kind overall for chores, rather than a blouse, because of the wrap front, ties and lack of any other fastenings. I agree that the shorter length is unusual.

It’s lovely! I hope someone else has some insight into the date.

 

[plousia]

Actually there are a lot of wrap blouse patterns from the 40s. It does seem to have been a popular style in that decade. ETA: if it were meant for chores I'd also expect a longer length, looser fit, and pockets.

 

[plousia]

The Commercial Pattern Archive also turns up some wrap blouse patterns from the 30s such as this one from 1934: https://copa.apps.uri.edu/garment.php?patID=47272.

 

[MagsRags]

if it were meant for chores I'd also expect…… pockets.

I do see a pocket in the fourth photo.

 

[plousia]

Yes I saw that after my comment but with the busy print I wasn't quite sure if it was a pocket or not!

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I see it too as a kind of modificatiion of a smock top. It does appear to be 30s or 40s to me as well.
The only other thing that crossed my mind could it have been part of a beach pyjama set.