I caught a film earlier, "The Gay Divorcee'" and the gown Ginger Rogers was wearing had a certain flair to it that I don't see anymore. Although it was a black and white film, it might have been gold and purple for the gown at the end. It looked like an upside-down flower, the way the skirt flared at the bottom - while not designed with flounce.
I don't think this aspect of musicals has been covered much, so maybe a discussion can begin?