What a change a year can make! Shirley Temple goes from "toddler" clothes in the 1940 publicity shot at left to the cleanly tailored, young lady look of 1941. Vive' la Difference! I love the crispness of the outfit on the right and just wish we had a full-length view to see what the skirt is like.

Fifteen-year-old Shirley Temple sits on the diving board behind her home in 1943. Her cute play dress features a white collar and a slightly flared skirt, and note her "grown-up" shoes with peep toes. (Image courtesy of Rita Dubas and 20th Century-Fox.)

I adore Shirley Temple and collected Shirley memorabilia as a teenager. Watching her films is a treat--even more so if you are a vintage fashion aficionado. It is truly fun to see how women wore the designs of the 1930s, and Shirley's clothing is always amazing.

The photo with Shirley Temple posing as a flower girl shows those ruffly early 1930s designs. Look at all the frou-frou on the wedding gown and bridesmaid gown! Shirley's mother designed and made Shirley's gown for this photo shoot. At the far right is a profile shot of Shirley wearing the same dress. Thanks to Rita Dubas for permission to share these!

Here is a scrap from my own collection, showing Shirley Temple on the set of "Just Around the Corner." What I love about children's fashions of the 1930s are the crisply tailored lines and delightful design details. Notice Shirley's ruffled pinafore that isn't "fussy" and the ribbon bows on the bodice front.