Rompers

If I had to pick a single garment which most typifies what I like, it would be a romper, those bloomer-bottomed loose fitting and yet modest playsuits. These were all the rage in the late 50's and all through the 60's, in sizes through misses, perhaps owing to the comfort and convenience of the simple design. Since then, the style has been restricted first to girls 7-14 sizes and below, then to 3-6X and now it is almost impossible to find them outside of toddler sizes.

Rompers came in several styles, ranging from the simple shoulder-tie, elastic waist "bubbles" for kids, to more sophisticated rompers with matching/contrasting skirts. Most of the girl's "gymsuits" were modeled after rompers, but gymsuits were cut from a crisper cloth. Virtually all gymsuits included a "modesty" feature, bloomer-insets in the leg openings.

	This was the first item of clothing I made for my wife, shortly after we were married. (Simplicity 8063)		My first girlfriend in high school made a version of this Butterick 6220 pattern to accompany me to the beach (er, lake)...
	McCall's offered this adjustable shoulder strap version (5600).		McCall's added fly-away cap sleeves for an airy touch (7620).
	This pattern and the one to the right indicate that Simplicity has never lost its love for the romper, here in adult sizes. (9288)		A little more stylish, with three elastics around the waist, this adult-sized romper came out a few years later. Simplicity 9425
	The quintessential "little girl" romper... I remember these in gingham and cotton seersucker. One of my first purchases was a yellow seersucker romper with white ties...		This early Butterick pattern (5336) was described as the "perfect coverall for a swimsuit; equally fetching when worn alone as a playsuit." An included variant used front buttons instead of a zipper.
	McCall's 3170 has both a romper and a pinafore. The puffed sleeves of the romper help lift the cap sleeve of the pinafore.		Butterick called these two versions of a romper, one with elasticized legs and one without elastic, "sleepwear" although in the right fabric, these would work great in the day. (6441)
	Cheerleader Supply Company offered this snappy sailor-collared romper as "campwear."		This Simplicity little kid's romper is what most people think of when they hear the word. Precious, isn't it? (7679)
	As time has gone by, the bloomer bottoms have changed,but this zip front garment is still a romper. Simplicity 6426		This Simplicity romper, 5107, is one I just have to make. The one with the sailor collar on the right is so very much like the one from CSC just above. With a little elastic... Hmmmm....
	This pre-teen sized polka playsuit was available from the Aldens '58 catalog -- red or blue on white.		I absolutely love these simple romper playsuits with the shirred elastic waists -- Aldens '58
	McCalls offered this cute finned bubble style romper as pattern 7621. This is the child's version of 7620 above.		Butterick 8176 is a pattern for a shoulder-tied romper and a wrap-around full skirt.
	This old Advance pattern (4902) illustrates a back buttoned romper. The pattern has no copyright date.		A back view of this cute design also shows the back of the Peter Pan collar. This is an essentially unfitted romper tied at the waist.
	McCall's 6344 is an unfitted romper from 1962. Without the tie at the waist, this is a "bubble" now reserved for infants and toddlers.		McCall's 6370 is a romper and pinafore published in 1962 as well.

Taffy's Favorite Rompers