A dress plays a key role in the lives of each of the women who wear it.
At the exclusive Parisian designer shop Elissa de France, stylish socialite Gogo Montaine requests a unique gown for a forthcoming party, hoping to impress the Maharajah of Kim-Kepore. Chief couturier Berta Courtallez directs Gogo to a show that is being presented to a select group, who have been warned of the legal restrictions against copying the designs. During the show, Mark Richman, a buyer for Mason's of New York, introduces himself to Gogo, who politely refuses his request for dinner. Unknown to Berta, Richman's associate, Lisa Jones, is copying the design of the show's centerpiece, called "Nude at Midnight," a ravishing, bare-shouldered dress. Gogo selects the gown and charges the $890 price to a former lover, Louis-Jean Vacheron. That evening, Gogo and the Raj, are stopped by a policeman for speeding, but Gogo charms him into not giving them a ticket. At dinner, Gogo flirts with the Raj who remains distracted, despite her beautiful gown. When Louis-Jean arrives and refuses to pay for the dress, Gogo succeeds in enchanting him into changing his mind. At the gambling tables, Gogo is annoyed when the Raj is drawn to the beautiful croupier, despite losing his bet. When the Raj escorts the girl away, Gogo leaves with Jean-Louis, vowing to return the dress and get a refund for him.
Arriving in New York, Miss Jones takes the design of "Nude at Midnight" to Mason's to be reproduced. Meanwhile, at his office, attorney Edgar Blevins is nagged by his wife Cora about an upcoming dinner engagement and her need for a new dress, as Edgar's secretary, Betty Barnes, eavesdrops. Later, although Edgar attempts to concentrate on work, he is constantly distracted by Betty's legs. Confident she can manipulate Edgar's interest, Betty convinces him to take her dinner the following night. That afternoon, Betty hastens to Mason's and asks the saleswoman for a sexy dress, explaining that she hopes to seduce her boss into leaving his wife, not realizing that Cora is in the same shop listening. The saleswoman shows Betty the store's original copy of "The Nude at Midnight," which Betty eagerly purchases for $90. At dinner the following night, Edgar is appropriately impressed with Betty's dress and forgets to discuss work. Betty plies him with a number of martinis and nearly has convinced him to divorce his wife when Cora appears and, removing her coat, reveals she is wearing the same dress as Betty. Edgar is amazed at the change in his wife and leaves with her, to Betty's chagrin.
Across town, Marion Parmelee shops for a special gown for the retirement party of her husband's boss, Patrick James "P. J." Sullivan, inventor and designer of luxury beds. A sales clerk assures Marion that the dress she likes, "Nude at Midnight," is a $59 original copy of a copy of a Parisian design. Marion hurries to her husband Jack's office for the money and stops in to visit the aged, but charming P. J., with whom she flirts mildly, while suggesting he name Jack as his replacement. The night of the party, P. J.'s wife Nora cautions him to stay away from young, pretty women and looks forward to their retirement to Florida. Marion and Jack arrive, and P. J. is awed by Marion's provocative gown, which mortifies Jack's conservative co-worker, Ernest Boggs and his wife. P. J. invites Marion to his private office to see his latest design, and there flirts with Marion, who goes along good naturedly while insisting that P. J. appoint Jack as his replacement. Nora grows suspicious of P. J.'s long absence and begins the evening's tributes. When Jack demonstrates the latest bed design, P. J. and Marion, who have accidentally tumbled onto the bed in the next room, roll out in the display, annoying Nora. P. J. recovers and begins to announce his replacement, but Nora interrupts, pointing out that since her family's money started the business, she should be allowed to appoint the next president. When P. J. demurs, Nora picks Boggs, delighting him and his wife.
Across the country in Hollywood, California, Marta Jensen celebrates her twenty-first birthday with a special gown, another "Nude at Midnight" copy, purchased at a thrift shop for $19. She hopes to win a proposal from her longtime boyfriend, Charlie Johnson, with her mother and father's encouragement. Charlie takes Marta to the swank Romanoff's Restaurant and is miffed when he is refused a table, despite his twenty-five cent tip. Prince Michael Romanoff, the restaurant owner, is delighted by Marta's fresh beauty and her guileless fascination with the surroundings, so offers the young couple his private table. Charlie all but ignores Marta's conversation about homes and property, chattering away instead about the latest sports cars. When famed playboy Johnny Grandville arrives, Marta speculates about his nine marriages and Charlie scoffs at the institution. Annoyed, Marta finally gets the nerve up to remove her coat, and her dress stuns Charlie. Marta receives a note from the Maharajah of Kim-Kepore, seated nearby, asking her to dine with him. When she considers the invitation, Charlie finally breaks down and agrees to marry Marta. Marta then thanks the Raj and departs happily on Charlie's arm.
