Follow the Fleet

Last night I watched Follow the Fleet (1936), another Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical flick.  While it is not as dear to my heart as Roberta, Bernard Newman's costumes had me drooling once again.  As ever, I am unable to give you lovely costume stills because silly old Netflix Canada does not offer this film on its annoyingly slim menu of classic movies, but I can assure you that if you love adorable sailor getups, chic skirt suits, and dazzling evening gowns (including that drool-worthy plaid gown below), you won't be disappointed!  A young Lucille Ball  (in centre of first image below) has a part in the movie, too, and I have to say, she stole every scene she was in.  Anyway, the costumes have given me some great "resort" fashion ideas (sailor tops and neck scarves and cute little trousers, oh my)!

Follow the Fleet Sailor Flour Sack Frock = Find of a Life Time

30s feedsack and floursack dresses come in so many different forms.  Some are humble and sweet. Some are homely and homespun.  Others are nothing short of fabulous.  The most mind-blowingly awesome 1930s floursack dress I've EVER found, and that is staying in my personal collection forever if possible is a white and navy sailor dress.  Yes, guys and dolls, this was made out of flour sacks by some amazing Depression-era dame, possibly after seeing Jean Harlow's sailor dress in George Hurrell's 1932 photo "Sailor Suit Girl" or maybe in honour of Bette Davis's famous ice cream photo OR even after seeing Follow the Fleet?  Personally, I think it's from 1933, so I feel like Jean inspired this one.  One way or another, I definitely know how lucky I was to have found this dress...and for a STEAL I tell you! I feel sorry for the vintage dealer I got it from, actually. She had no idea what she had here.  Okay, I'm heading back out to enjoy the sunshine.  Have a glorious weekend!!

1930s flour sack sailor dress: top secret vintage dealer

1930s yellow bakelite sunglasses: eBay

Relevant Youtubage: Gracie Allen singing and Eleanor Powell dancing,"Honolulu" (Gracie's got an adorable sailor dress on, dontcha know!)