Alice Adams

Joan Crawford's flouncy ruffled Adrian gown in 1932's Letty Lynton may have sparked this 30s fashion style, but it appears Katharine Hepburn's ensembles in 1935's Alice Adams fanned the flames of desire for such dreamy organdy confections. I watched this movie last night and must say I was charmed by it...in no small part due to how well a young Kate H. donned her darling girlish frocks!  Apparently, so were the Hollywood Patterns creators, because a *very* Alice Adams inspired gown design was released by them in the 30s.  At one point, K's character wears the most perfect little sailor dress...with an ascot and anchor pin that is pretty much identical to the look worn by Ginger Rogers in Follow the Fleet (1936)--looks like Bernard Newman copied Walter Plunkett? I also saw a real-life version of this same style of dress sold over at Posh Girl Vintage at some point.  WOW!  All in all, it was the perfect movie to watch while staying in bed with a sore throat.  Apparently, I woke my husband in the night with feverish jibberjabber that ostensibly related to me trying to describe the amazing flounces and bows on Alice's costumes. YIKES!