30s Dress Gown
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1930s Evening Dresses and Gowns
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1930s American Wedding Dresses
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1940s Evening Dresses
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21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
1930s American Evening Gowns
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1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s American Evening Gowns
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1970s American Evening Dresses
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Gowns
1970s French Evening Gowns
1970s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s American Evening Gowns
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary British Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s American Evening Gowns
1970s American Evening Gowns
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1960s American Maxi Dress
1980s Italian Evening Gowns
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1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
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1970s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s French Maxi Dress
1980s Italian Formal Gowns
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21st Century and Contemporary Maxi Dress
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1960s Hong Kong Evening Gowns
1970s American Maxi Dress
Early 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1930s Maxi Dress
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
20th Century American Evening Gowns
1980s American Mini Dress
1990s Mini Dress
1960s French Babydoll Dresses
Early 2000s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
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1970s French Evening Gowns
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30s Dress Gown For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.
- Is a gown and a dress the same?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, a gown and a dress are not always the same type of clothing. While a gown is a type of dress, not all dresses are gowns. Gowns tend to be more formal and suited for black-tie and evening events. Shop a wide selection of high-end gowns and designer dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Chinese dressing gown is called a cheongsam or a qipao. It is often styled as a high-necked, closely fitted dress with a slit on the side. Cheongsams were considered fashion-forward and influenced the rise of modern Chinese women in the 20th century. Shop a selection of cheongsams on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A ball gown dress and a princess dress are different names for the same style of cut in a wedding dress. This style of dress features a flattering fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that flares out at the waist. The term ball gown is associated with more volume in the skirt than the term princess dress. Browse 1stDibs to find a beautiful array of wedding dresses from top boutiques around the world.
- 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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A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet
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A Short History of Capri Pants, on the 100th Birthday of Their Inventor
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How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story
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This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior
Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.