I have now run out of Miss Fisher’s Murders episodes to watch and probably have one hell of a wait to endure before the third season of Phryne Fisher’s escapades land on Netflix. Sad times. I’m consoling myself with the books, which are very entertaining but so very different to the series that they’re just making me feel even more wistful, probably because they’re missing all the things that make me love the show so much – that frisson with Jack, Aunt Prudence, the sweet romance between Dot and Hugh (it’s not quite so super sweet in the books) and those fabulous, amazing clothes and sets.
No matter! In time honoured Madame Guillotine fashion, I have decided to pay tribute to the Queen of Badassery that is Phryne Fisher with a compilation of utterly dreamy and amazing 1920s dresses from the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, because after all, the dazzling Miss Fisher’s amazing collection of clothes is just as much a star of the show as the delectable Phryne herself. The series and books are set in 1928 but I’ve covered the whole of the decade in this post as there were dresses from earlier on in the roaring twenties that were just far too good and special to be missed out.
Onwards!
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 60.206a-c_CP3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-e05aAW.jpeg)
Evening ensemble, Philippe and Gaston (France), c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.126.2a-b_front 0004](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-dWgwzs.jpeg)
64.126.2a-b_front 0004
Evening dress, French, c1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI44.64.10_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-7QxGL_.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, c1924. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.X.55.7_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-ZNK2Wb.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, c1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.126.5_front 0003](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-Lqd4xG.jpeg)
64.126.5_front 0003
Evening dress, French, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1979.569.19_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-uTB8Hw.jpeg)
Evening dress, Bergdorf Goodman, c1923. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI65.47.1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-ApL4Ma.jpeg)
Evening dress, Chanel, 1927-8. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 67.100.2 0001](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-eRbGgO.jpeg)
67.100.2 0001
Evening dress, French, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.126.4 0004](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-9k84Vd.jpeg)
64.126.4 0004
Evening dress, Peggy Hoyte, 1928. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1978.288.11ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-mllNAS.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1925-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.58.34.8_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-Ihpnr5.jpeg)
Evening dress, Paul Poiret, 1927. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 63.227.5a-b_CP1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-TwhsZ7.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, 1928-30. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT434](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-HFurLZ.jpeg)
Evening dress, Edward Molyneux, 1926-7. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1974.243.3_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-Oz96tF.jpeg)
Evening dress, B Altman and Co, early 1920s. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 61.15.1a_front 0002](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-bHfkLM.jpeg)
61.15.1a_front 0002
Evening dress, French, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DP145112](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-AxlQX7.jpeg)
‘Arrow of Gold’ Evening dress, Paul Poiret, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.37.46.62_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-AMXqat.jpeg)
Evening dress, British, 1927. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.43.121.1_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-VqogfH.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, 1926-7. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT6947](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-Qoh8PP.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, c1928. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI62.44.11_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-2URQus.jpeg)
Evening dress, French, 1928. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI44.64.11ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-twwUHO.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1925-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.126.6a-b 0003](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-gv4ix6.jpeg)
64.126.6a-b 0003
Evening dress, French, 1926-7. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 57.156.2_front_CP3](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-wAOfHg.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, c1923. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1978.288.12_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-3IwsSx.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1924-5. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1990.78a-b 0001](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-qQeaqm.jpeg)
1990.78a-b 0001
Evening dress, Thurn (American), 1923-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 54.81.6 0001](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-DFR0BX.jpeg)
54.81.6 0001
Evening dress, American, c1920. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 57.14_front 0003](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-EYScdx.jpeg)
57.14_front 0003
Evening dress, American, 1928-30. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 69.149.36 0002](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-4yd9EN.jpeg)
69.149.36 0002
Evening dress, Anne and Thérèse (French), 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.58.67.18_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-4QAJ0W.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Worth, 1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT289485](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-gZD8mF.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Lanvin, 1923. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI44.64.12_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-D_Da0u.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1925-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1979.262ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-957XRx.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, 1926-8. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 54.169.20_CP1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-0T_gpu.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.238.2_CP1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-haVAvW.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, 1926-8. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 67.110.131 0003](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-zvRMKS.jpeg)
67.110.131 0003
Evening dress, House of Worth, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1977.201.6_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-yKZuWJ.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, c1924. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT294085](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-jfni1n.jpeg)
Evening dress, Vitaldi Babani, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.63.44.4_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-gHP6iq.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Worth, 1928-9. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 44.95.3_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-ahZKgu.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1925-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI65.47.8a–c_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-PKq9M_.jpeg)
Afternoon dress, Edward Molyneux, 1926-7. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1974.243.5_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-jTSlRq.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, c1921. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT990](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-62ri6s.jpeg)
Evening dress, Louise Boulanger, 1928. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1994.204.1_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-3mbODe.jpeg)
Evening dress, Boué Soeurs, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT10011](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-JAjMIi.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, 1927. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI51.113_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-4uM9KI.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1925-6. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1008](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-4EvlWS.jpeg)
1008
Evening dress, French, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion DT452](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-JayHIb.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Patou, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.56.47.2_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-dr7Lwi.jpeg)
Evening dress, French, 1924. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 1975.337.3ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-YGPy2u.jpeg)
Evening dress, French, 1925-8. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 51.61.6 0002](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-3Vb4GB.jpeg)
51.61.6 0002
Evening dress, Martha Weathered Inc, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 40.143a-b_front 0002](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-bsOjLp.jpeg)
40.143a-b_front 0002
Evening dress, House of Paquin, 1927. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.58.67.17_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-9wb2aH.jpeg)
Evening dress, House of Worth, 1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 64.126.1_CP1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-oe1xbM.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, c1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion 62.89.2_CP1](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-4pVKhc.jpeg)
Evening dress, Adair, c1925. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion C.I.52.58.3_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-CyDQC5.jpeg)
Evening dress, American, 1924. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI44.64.14ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-Af7Dtg.jpeg)
Evening dress, Callot Soeurs, 1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
I even found a couple of dresses for the lovely and rather long suffering Dot.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI64.46.7ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-IAg_Ql.jpeg)
Dress, French, 1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
![Phryne Fisher Fashion CI64.46.4ab_F](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/127/1272149/phryne-fisher-fashion-L-0RAKHz.jpeg)
Dress, French, 1926. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, New York.
Can you imagine a wardrobe stuffed with all of these? It would be HEAVEN wouldn’t it? Crikey. Looking through these it’s clear to me that Phryne Fisher would be a massive fan of the House of Patou, who seemed to specialise in the sort of vampish, sensual frocks that I reckon would be right up her street. In the books, we’re told that Phryne has a passion for moss green so I made sure to include plenty of beautiful green dresses in this collection. It’s interesting to see hem lines gradually rising then lowering again across the course of the twenties though – women were back in long frocks again (for evening wear anyway) by the mid thirties but I’m sure they thoroughly enjoyed flashing their legs in the twenties!
******
I don’t have adverts or anything like that on my blog and rely on book sales to keep it all going and help pay for the cool stuff that I feature on here so I’d like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who buys even just one copy because you are helping keeping this blog alive and supporting a starving author while I churn out more books about posh doom and woe in the past! Thanks!
As the youngest daughter of the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, Marie Antoinette was born into a world of almost unbelievable privilege and power. As wife of Louis XVI of France she was first feted and adored and then universally hated as tales of her dissipated lifestyle and extravagance pulled the already discredited monarchy into a maelstrom of revolution, disaster and tragedy. Marie Antoinette: An Intimate History is now available from Amazon US and Amazon UK
Set against the infamous Jack the Ripper murders of autumn 1888 and based on the author’s own family history, From Whitechapel is a dark and sumptuous tale of bittersweet love, friendship, loss and redemption and is available NOW from Amazon UK
‘Frothy, light hearted, gorgeous. The perfect summer read.’ Minette, my young adult novel of 17th century posh doom and intrigue is available from Amazon UK
Follow me on Instagram.