Fashion Icons Through The Ages: The Glamourous 30's: Part 2

Myrna Loy

When Myrna's career began she seemed to be destined to be typecast into roles of either vamp or Oriental temptress/villain. That was until she was cast in "The Thin Man" with William Powell. This was her breakout role and saw her stardom rise astronomically to become the most prolific actress of her generation. She starred in a whole series of "Thin Man" sequels and repeatedly worked with Clarke Gable and William Powell; the two hottest actors of the 30's. Myrna had so many huge roles it was really hard to narrow down which pictures to share with you. With so much exposure it's not hard to imagine how Myrna became such a massive fashion icon. Take a look for yourself at the "Queen of the Movies!". 

Just look at that face!!!

Mae West

Well now, Mae could never be described as a shrinking violet! She is probably one of the most controversial ladies in our whole icon series and seemed to be in constant battle with the censorship industry. Like many others actors in the Golden age she started out in Vaudeville. Mae was witty, full of personality and oozed sex appeal. Her movie career surprisingly only began when she was close to 40 (practically unheard of in those days) and lasted for decades. It included work in radio, Broadway and Vegas. Today, Mae West is probably as well known for her sharp and spunky quotes as she is for her film work.

"When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better!"

"I don't like myself, I'm crazy about myself!"

"I didn't discover curves, I only uncovered them"

I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."

Quite the little minx right? Mae West we salute you! 

Ginger Rogers

I'm pretty sure Ginger Rogers needs no introduction. She is phenomenally well known for her dancing partnership with Fred Astaire. Miss Rogers is another screen siren who started in Vaudeville but quickly moved onto the stage and motion pictures. Not only did Ginger star in over 70 films but she also won an Academy Award and was at one point the highest paid woman in America!!! Her dancing chemistry with Fred Astaire was astonishing and cinema goers marvelled at their footwork. But Ginger is a star in her own right and a fashion icon as well as a dance icon.  

How cute is this sporty look!

Despite being a more casual look, this is one of my favourites!

1930's Hollywood Decadence!

2013 Oscar Fashion harking back to Old Hollywood

Mae West

Mae West

Joan Crawford

They really knew how to dress for an occasion in the 1930's!

The furs, satins, silks, feathers and embellishments just scream "Glamour!!!"

You could easily envision any of the above beauties sashaying down today's red carpets.

Emphasis moved away from the shorter, looser fitting 'flapper dresses' of the 1920's to figure hugging, bias cut, full length gowns. 

Designers like Adrian and Elsa Schiaparelli focused accentuating the waists and shoulders.

Fashion became inseparable from Hollywood movies. Dresses worn by Lana Turner, Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo at the time were copied in their millions and sold at every price point. 

Some of these original 1930's gowns do exist but they are rare and are priced to reflect this.

Dirty Fabulous always carries a select range of stunning 1930's dresses as pictured below.

(Prices begin at €350)

I'd also recommend drooling over the dresses from TheFrock.com, they have my dream wardrobe and when I win the lotto I'm going to buy buy buy!!!  

1930s chartreuse velvet evening gown with rhinestone trim 

image by Lisa O'Dwyer 

1930s Candlelight Satin Wedding Dress

Heavily beaded taupe one shoulder velvet applique gown with cream fur cape

1930's baby pink silk bias-cut gown with pink feather headpiece and biscuit fur cape

Damn Fine Broads

For your amusement and entertainment I have selected a bevy of vintage Hollywood leading ladies. Each woman has led a really fascinating life and I will probably return to them individually in future blog posts, it feels wrong to say so little about such larger than life characters in this post but I don't want to overwhelm you with information!
Instead I am giving you a taster menu, including some advice and observations they delivered and suggestions of movies to catch their fabulousness in!!
There's nothing better on a cold dark evening than to light the fire, open a bottle of red wine and settle in with a classic movie.

These are not ladies to mess with!

Let's begin with the sassiest broad of them all, my personal favourite, the one and only......

Mae West

“Love thy neighbor -- and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.” 

“Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” 

"Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution."

Check her out in "I'm no Angel" 1933

Katherine Hepburn

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun"

Absolutely hilarious in "Bringing up Baby" with Cary Grant 1938

Bette Davis

"Everybody has a heart...except some people."

Please Santa, I would like Bette's outfit, I've been mostly good, mostly...

Watch her in "Dark Victory" 1939 

(starring alongside George Brent*, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald & Ronald Reagan!)

*George Brent hailed from Roscommon and fled Ireland with a bounty on his head having served in the IRA during the war of independence 1919 - 1922. He was highly regarded by Bette Davis and starred alongside her in 13 films.

Joan Crawford

"Love is a fire, But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell"

Watch her in "Letty Lynton" 1932

(The dress above, designed by Adrian for the movie "Letty Lynton", was copied by Macy's in 1932 and sold 500,000 replicas across America!)

Judy Garland

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of someone else."

Check out the fabulous gowns in full technicolor in "Meet me in St. Louis" 1944

Jean Harlow

"Must I always wear a low cut dress to be important?"

"When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas."

Lauren Bacall

"I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that"

"You don't always win your battles, but it's good to know you fought"

Watch her in " How to marry a millionaire" 1953

 in one of her more comedic roles, 

co starring Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable and some really awesome fashion!

Ingrid Bergman

"Be yourself. The world worships the original."

"Happiness is good health and a bad memory."

You can catch her in the classic "Casablanca" co starring with Humphrey Bogart
but if you have seen that already you should definitely watch her in the Hitchcock thriller "Notorious".


I hope you enjoyed this post and you manage to catch some of the movies I have suggested.
Pour yourself a glass of wine, switch off the laptop and your phone, get cozy on the sofa and relax,
you won't be disappointed!!

xxx Caroline xxx