Roaring 20s Gala

• Flapper Dresses
  Embrace the era’s iconic style with dropped-waist, tubular or shift dresses often trimmed with fringe, beads, or sequins, that fall around mid-calf—designed to sway and flatter during dance or movement (Wikipedia, moas.org).
   
• Robe de Style & Romantic Silhouettes
  For a more structured alternative, consider “Robe de Style” dresses with fitted bodices and wide, bouffant skirts—especially elegant for formal settings (chertseymuseum.org, Fashion History Timeline).
   
• Accessories & Hairstyling
  Finish looks with cloche hats, bobbed haircuts, long pearl strands, and understated Art Deco–inspired necklaces or earrings (Wikipedia, Business Insider).
   
• Sportswear Influence
  For varied roles or a daytime segment—like volunteers, hostesses, or panels—look to 1920s women’s sportswear: tennis-influenced light suits, pleated skirts with pullover sweaters, or straw hats for a refreshed, thematic twist (Fashion History Timeline, moas.org).
   
• Casual and Nightlife Suits
  Opt for relaxed tailoring with single- or two-button jackets, soft collars, and light flannel or tweed fabrics. Daywear often featured pinstripes or pastels; evening attire favored darker tones and sharper cuts (Fashion History Timeline, Wikipedia).
   
• Signature Trousers
  Oxford bags (ultra-wide-legged trousers) and plus-fours were popular and can infuse authenticity—especially memorable in outdoor or lighter party settings (Fashion History Timeline, Wikipedia).
   
• Finishing Touches
  Accessories like bow ties, suspenders, straw boaters, and pocket squares enhance authenticity—seen commonly at themed events like the Jazz Age Lawn Party (Wikipedia).
   

These suggestions blend historical accuracy with visual drama—whether you're aiming for a glamorous Gatsby vibe or a more nuanced, historically grounded atmosphere. The flapper dress and robe de style both evoke different facets of 1920s femininity, while men's varied styles range from elegant evening wear to relaxed daytime sportswear, complementing formal and casual parts of the event.

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art – 1920s Fashion Collection
   Browse a large archive of 1920s fashion artifacts, including evening gowns, sportswear, and accessories.
   (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
    
2. Fashion History Timeline – FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology)
   Virtual exhibits like The Roaring Twenties and The Swinging Sixties explore 1920s dress and cultural comparison in depth.
   (Fashion Institute of Technology)
    
3. UNLV’s Mob Museum – “Ready to Roar” Exhibit
   Features real Prohibition-era clothing, accessories, and cosmetic artifacts ideal for reference or display.
   (UNLV)
    
4. Flapper Style Exhibit – Kent State University Museum
   Presents more than 50 jazz-era dresses, shoes, and hats, organized thematically—great for understanding stylistic groupings.
   (Flapper Style | 1920s Fashion)
    
5. Herbert Art Gallery & Museum – “Grown Up in the 1920s”
   Offers historical context comparing flapper dresses with preceding fashion styles (Victorian/Edwardian), highlighting how avant-garde these shifts were.
   (theherbert.org)