Anyone can dress like a movie star!

Beginning in the 1930s, ready-to-wear began to take fashion cues from Hollywood. Stars helped to popularize form-fitting styles with broad shoulders and narrow waists.

Jean Harlow, 1930

Jean Harlow, 1930

Courtesy of Getty Images

“Now at Modest Prices: Styles of the Stars!”

—Sears catalog, 1935 

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Gift of Carolyn and Donald Grepke

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Gift of Carolyn and Donald Grepke

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Paper dolls, 1920s-1940s

Gift of Carolyn and Donald Grepke

Ad, 1930s

Ad, 1930s

New undergarments made the new look possible: Form-shaping bras with alphabet cups replaced camisoles and bandeaux, and sleek panties and slips replaced bloomers.

Catalog, 1930s

Catalog, 1930s

Hangtag, 1930s

Hangtag, 1930s

One of Hollywood’s most influential fashion trend-setters was Shirley Temple who had her own line of clothing.

Reverse of hangtag, 1930s

Reverse of hangtag, 1930s

“Shirley and her cute clothes have stolen everyone’s heart; no wonder every little girl wants to wear the same styles!”

—Sears catalog, 1935