Myrna Loy in a Dolly Tree gown from Too Hot to Handle
Myrna Loy in a Dolly Tree gown from Too Hot to Handle (MGM 1938), which was the one concession to glamour in the film. This cool, white, crepe column gown, followed a Grecian tradition in the formal tradition, representing poise and sophistication, with a wheat motif on the embroidered shoulder straps and belt of emerald green brilliants. At the time, this model was viewed as a nod to Paris couture and the simplistic and minimalistic draping techniques of Alix or Madame GrSs.From 1934 to 1942 GrSs as Alix developed a signature style of classical drapery using Greco-Roman influences with simple lines that almost resembled Grecian columns - uncut panels of silk jersey or silk crepe swirling loosely in the skirt, tucked and pleated through the waist and bodice. However, of interest, Dolly Tree had been using similar ideas of simple draping in many of her gowns from the advent of her tenure at MGM in 1933. so this was not an anachronism in terms of her style repertoire but very representative of her signature style of elegant, sophisticated simplicity
