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.

This is a wonderful 1930s girls' dress pattern--very Shirley Temple-esque--for girls' dresses. I love the tailored look of this era. Note the matching doll's dress.

A slim afternoon dress with tucked bodice and stitched-down pleats. The loose jacket looks very much like 1930s maternity fashion, which was styled to cover the "bump" in the later stages of pregnancy.

The 1930s and ruffles: they just go together! This ruffled dress pattern features the slim silhouette of the decade with a lovely yoke adding interest to the bodice. For some reason, I think of a Frank Capra heroine when I look at this pattern. It looks just like one of his "office" gals from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" or another great 1930s film.

A wonderful double-breasted late 1930s dress pattern. Around 1938, the skirts shortened and got a bit of flare, leading right into the styles of the 1940s. The dress on the left is very crisply tailored with its double row of buttons marching down the front. Love that hat, too!

Chic and sleek 1930s everyday dress pattern. Would be lovely in flowing rayon or challis--or crisply elegant in lined organdy or silk organza. I love the inverted V's on the bodice and the bows.

Early 1930s skirt pattern for a tailored look. Note the offset button placket on each.

This pattern for a ruffled evening dress would be stunning in a floaty, filmy chiffon or silk georgette. This is a very early 1930s silhouette with ruffles below the hipline and flared hem.

These three ladies are from the Eaton side of my family, so they are distant cousins or aunts. This photo was taken between 1900-1905. I wish someone had written on the back of the photo so I could identify these gals! Looks like a mother and two daughters to me.

This heavenly Edwardian tea dress was sold on eBay by USVainen, a past seller whose knowledge of vintage fashion was astounding and whose descriptions were delightful. This seller graciously agreed to let me share her images and words on my site, and I think you'll enjoy them as much as I have!

This is the cover and one page from a 1908 Standard Fashions newspaper insert. The "pouter pigeon" bosom silhouette was on its way out by this time, but the "S" curve figure still held on for several more years.

I love this ca. 1904 portrait photo of a young lady with a beautiful lace collar over her dress. If you check the post with the blouses from the 1904 fashion circular, you'll see a similar lace collar.

A cute 1908 photograph of four sisters from Winchester, Virginia. Note the big bows in the hair. This is the origin of the term "flapper," because big bows like this flapped in the breeze. When these girls grew up, they'd be the flappers of the 1920s because of this term from their youth.

At left is a circa 1908 photo of four friends in white.The gal in the second photograph is also pictured in the first photo on the far left. Note the different trims, bows, and hat styles. Beautiful!

These images come from the May 1912 issue of La Mode, which included a pattern for a lady's coat. There is also a cover for the September 1912 issue. These are large images, so give them time to load after you click on them!

Here is a group of images from the March 1912 issue of La Mode. I love the full-color centerfold of fashions! Note the children's fashions as well. These are large images, so give them time to load after you click on them!

These images all come from the September 1911 Parisian La Mode and depict the "cutting edge" fashions of the day. Note the neo-Empire styles and the use of neckline fichus reminiscent of the Regency era. One page also features a pattern with instructions. Note the wedding dress and maid of honor dress designs!