Romper suit

This child's romper suit was made by New Zealand company 'Master Robin' in the mid-1950s. It has never been worn but would fit a child of about 1 year old.

The busy brightly coloured green fabric with donkeys, tents, bucket & spade sets, and suns, is representative of fashionable 1950s textile design.

Romper suits started to be worn in the early 1900s. They were popular as playwear for young children because they could move about without the top riding up. Originally a one-piece garment that was a combination of a short dress or shirt and baggy underwear. In the 1920s and 30s rompers for boys were also known as buster suits and consisted of being a close-fitting top and shorts or knickers, usually buttoned together. Their popularly peaked in the 1940s and 50s.

The name romper comes from the French word ramper which means 'to climb'.