Explore the changing fashions of the 1920s through a fascinating selection of garments from Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery’s Fashion and Textile Collection.
The 1920s marked a dramatic shift in how women dressed, lived and expressed themselves. In the wake of World War I, society entered a period of rapid transformation. A new modern world, faster, louder and more vibrant, began to emerge. Innovations including colour cinema, the rise of jazz, new technologies and increasing freedoms for women all helped shape a decade defined by energy and experimentation. Fashion, as ever, reflected these cultural changes. Hemlines rose, silhouettes relaxed, and clothing became a symbol of identity and independence.
This exhibition presents garments that each highlight a key influence on 1920s style and on the lives of the women who wore them. From eveningwear shimmering with beads to daywear that embraced a freer, less restrictive shape, these pieces speak to the spirit of a decade breaking away from tradition.
Collection highlights include an Egyptian‑inspired dress echoing the global excitement surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, a bead‑embroidered little black dress capturing the glamour of the era and a striking coat influenced by modern art movements. A relaxed day dress showcases the decade’s move toward comfort and ease, while a delicate child’s silk dress reminds us that these stylistic shifts extended across generations.
Together, these garments reveal how fashion both shaped and was shaped by the modern woman of the 1920s.
