The Roaring Twenties, with its unfitted, drop-waistline dresses, sprinkled with beads, fringes and feathers, it was fashion dictated by the rhythm of the Charleston. The 1920s saw the hemline rise and lower, scalloped, pointed and layered; this black silk chiffon evening frock is encrusted with jet beads, it has no fastenings, as many 1920s dresses were simply slip-on. The low hemline on this dress suggests it could be from the late 1920s when it dropped from almost knee-length in 1926.

In contrast to the drop-waistline dresses, a more romantic and feminine shape also existed in the 1920s, a fuller skirt, supported by panniers worn at the hips, gave a silhouette inspired by the 18th century. Made from peach panne velvet, the skirt is decorated with appliqué velvet flowers. This dress was worn by Bella Hall in 1926, when attending a dinner at Berkely Square Hotel, she later contracted and died of influenza aged just 21, this dress and some other items were donated to the Museum

Evening gowns of the 1920s often consisted of two garments, a contrasting underdress would have added a striking new dimension to this dress. The sleeves show off the dancer's arms and black beads are used to indicate a low waistline and soften the silhouette. The transparent chiffon is embroidered heavily with pink and silver beads. A beaded neck piece is worn around the neck, a popular accessory in the 1920s.