Victorian Style Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary American Peignoirs
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21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Tunisian Cocktail Dresses
1970s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
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1910s Unknown Cage Dresses
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Mini Dresses
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1960s Evening Gowns
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1910s Camisoles and Shell Tops
1960s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
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20th Century French Jackets
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress
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1980s French Evening Dresses
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21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Gowns
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1880s French Directoire Style Evening Dresses
1950s English Evening Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s French Evening Gowns
1960s American Wedding Dresses
1920s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Evening Dresses and Gowns
1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s American Evening Dresses
1930s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
Early 1900s Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
2010s Polish Cocktail Dresses
1980s Cocktail Dresses
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
Late 19th Century French Victorian Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s English Wedding Dresses
1980s American Mini Dress
1960s English Aesthetic Day Dresses
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
Late 19th Century American Evening Gowns
1930s American Evening Dresses
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s American Wedding Dresses
1970s British Wedding Dresses
1980s French Evening Gowns
1990s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s American Maxi Dress
1980s British Evening Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Dresses
1970s British Day Dresses
1970s English Aesthetic Evening Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
1970s French Evening Gowns
1960s Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 20th Century Art Deco Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1970s English Cocktail Dresses
Late 20th Century French Ball Gowns
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s Maxi Dress
1970s British Mini Dress
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Victorian Style Gowns For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Victorian Style Gowns?
Finding the Right Evening Dresses and Gowns 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, 2022Victorian furniture often features dark woods with ornate carvings, heavy luxurious fabrics and often features natural images. Painted and gilded accents add to the luxe feel. From 1830 to 1890, during the reign of Queen Victoria, this very ornate style was popular with a great mix of other styles. Shop a collection of Victorian furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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