Set in 1922, the story revolves around the adventures of Millie Dillmount, who escapes to New York City determined to get a job as a stenographer in order to marry her wealthy boss. Shedding her country girl clothing for the modern look of a "flapper", she takes a room at the Priscilla Hotel for Women, unaware it's a front for a prostitution ring. In short time, she finds herself involved with Jimmy Smith, an apparently ne'er-do-well paper clip salesman, Miss Dorothy "Just Perfect" Brown, a genteel aspiring actress, Trevor "Swell" Graydon, her no-nonsense boss, and Muzzy "Raspberries!" van Hossmere, a madcap heiress with a zest for the high life.