In 1904, little girls were dressed in curls, bows, frills, lace, ruffles, ribbons and sashes. Phoebe hates all that. She is her mother's despair, but her father ignores the fuss. When her mother gives a party for all Phoebe's friends, Phoebe won't get out of the bathtub! Later, her father comes home and he agrees to let Phoebe wear his clothes for a week. It isn't as much fun as she thought it would be. Then he reminds Phoebe's mother what her favorite clothes were when she was 8 -- a plain navy sailor dress so she could run and play!