If you're fortunate enough to find yourself in Rhode Island, Masachusetts between now and July 31st you'll be able to visit Cocktail Culture: Ritual and Invention in American Fashion, 1920-1980; a fabulous exhibition exploring "the social ritual of the cocktail hour through the lens of fashion and design."
Dating back to the 1930's, cocktail garb was a good deal more functional than eveningwear and marked the advent of the more modern woman who drank socially. Fashion from designers including Balenciaga and Schiaparelli features in this exhibition alongside jewellery, accessories and photographs.
If you can't make it all the way there you can always buy the book which is fully illustrated and includes five essays on the visual culture of the cocktail party
Find out more and and buy the book, which costs $30 here.
