Late 1940s- Early 1950s Cabaret Playsuit / Chorus Costume

An exceptionally rare Australian stagewear piece dating to approximately 1949-1953, discovered alongside period lingerie and retaining a remarkable amount of its original structure and integrity. Pieces of this nature rarely survive, particularly with their original shape, hardware and textile finish still intact.

Constructed in a richly saturated raspberry red fabric with embroidered abstract motifs, this piece embodies the glamour that emerged immediately after the harsh war years. The silhouette is unmistakably of the era - fitted through the torso with softly ballooned shaping through the lower bodice.

The sharply structured bust, crossed halter neckline and plunging sweetheart shaping were considered quite daring for the period, placing this firmly in the world of cabaret, dance halls, chorus lines and performance costume rather than conventional daywear. While mainstream fashion of the late 1940s remained comparatively restrained, stage costumes allowed for far more provocative cuts and exaggerated silhouettes, particularly in nightclub and revue settings.

Original period construction details remain throughout, including:

• Original metal Aero zipper
• Interior hook fastening
• Early moulded bust padding construction
• Hand-finished internal seams and reinforcement stitching
• Embroidered synthetic fabric consistent with the transitional postwar era

The deterioration to the original bust padding has been intentionally left untouched as part of the garment’s authenticity and history. Early foam and rubberised materials of this period frequently degrade over time, and its survival here serves as a genuine indicator of age rather than a flaw detracting from the piece.

The elastic remains surprisingly strong and wearable. The piece presents beautifully and remains an extraordinary surviving example of early postwar performance wear.

A rare and highly evocative garment capturing the moment fashion shifted from wartime practicality into glamour and femininity once again.

Condition:
Very good vintage condition considering age. Original padding shows age-related deterioration internally. Minor inconsistencies and irregularities to construction consistent with small-scale period costume manufacture. Presents beautifully overall.

Measurements

Bust- 39 cm

Waist- 33 cm

Hip- 43 cm (unstretched)

Length of bodice- 49 cm (straps are adjustable)