1940s Velvet Dress
1940s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
1940s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s Maxi Dresses
1940s Aesthetic Day Dresses
1970s British Cocktail Dresses
1940s British Evening Dresses
Mid-20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s Day Dresses
1940s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s Cocktail Dresses
1930s Maxi Dresses
1930s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
1940s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
1940s Evening Gowns
1970s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
1960s European Evening Dresses
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s French Cocktail Dresses
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
1970s European Maxi Dress
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1940s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
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1950s American Mini Dress
1990s Day Dresses
1950s French Evening Dresses
1940s Unknown Evening Gowns
1940s Unknown Evening Gowns
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Evening Gowns
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
20th Century Spanish Hats
1940s Maxi Dresses
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
Mid-20th Century British Evening Dresses
1940s Shift Cocktail Dresses
1940s Evening Gowns
1940s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1940s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1940s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1940s American Evening Gowns
1940s American Evening Gowns
1940s Evening Dresses
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s Australian Evening Gowns
1940s American Evening Gowns
1980s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1990s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1950s American Wedding Dresses
1950s American Wedding Dresses
1950s Dress and Coat Ensembles
Early 2000s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1940s American Day Dresses
1940s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
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1940s Velvet Dress For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1940s Velvet Dress?
Finding the Right evening-dresses for You
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- What is a 1940s style dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.
- Was velvet used in the 1970s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, velvet was used in the 1970s. Fashion designers used the fabric to produce dresses, bell bottoms, flowy kimonos and other pieces. Furniture makers often used it as the upholstery on sofas and armchairs. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of pieces from the 1970s.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023One of the most popular types of dresses during the 1980s was a tight-fitting sheath with oversized shoulder pads. Peplum accents were also common as were large puffy sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 1980s vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The dresses they wore in the 1960s varied depending on the time of day and the occasion. For everyday wear, many women opted for simply tailored frocks called shift dresses. They often featured bold geometric prints in eye-catching colors. In the evening, women tended to opt for gowns with plunging necklines, fitted waists and flowing full skirts. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage dresses from the 1960s.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024There are a few options for how you should dress for a ’70s party. You can go for the hippie look with dramatic bell-bottoms, fringed jackets and vests and embroidered blouses, or try a sporty look by pairing a vintage tee with high-waisted, button-fly flared jeans and clogs or platform shoes. For a straight-from-the-disco aesthetic, look for surplice and halter dresses decked out in sequins. Men can make a 1970s-inspired statement with a leisure suit or bell-bottoms matched with a turtleneck. Aviator sunglasses are great accessories for both men and women. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of 1970s apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023In the 1900s, wedding dresses typically looked like full, floor-length garments. Brides wore S-shaped corsets below the usually ruffled bodices, and most designs included large puff sleeves. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage wedding dresses from some of the world's top boutiques.
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