1950s Black Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses
1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns
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1950s French Evening Gowns
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1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses
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1950s American Day Dresses
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1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses
1950s Italian Ballerina Dresses
1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
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1950s American Day Dresses
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Gowns
1950s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1950s Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s Evening Gowns
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s Cocktail Dresses
1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s Cocktail Dresses
1950s Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1950s American Day Dresses
1950s Italian Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1950s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
1950s British Ball Gowns
1950s American Evening Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s Evening Dresses
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20th Century Evening Dresses
1950s American Evening Dresses
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1950s Spanish Cocktail Dresses
1950s Shift Cocktail Dresses
20th Century American Evening Gowns
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1950s American Evening Gowns
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1950s Black Dresses For Sale on 1stDibs
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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 ExpertJune 30, 2023Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 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, 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.
- What is black tie dress code?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Black tie dress code is a formal dress code typically reserved for special events that take place in the evening. For men, black tie usually requires a tuxedo and a black tie, though in some cases, a black suit may suffice. Women typically wear floor-length gowns, high heels and jewelry and carry clutch handbags. Find a selection of men's and women's formal apparel on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024The dress code for a black tie event is formal. For women, this typically means full-length gowns, clutch handbags and statement jewelry. Men's black tie attire is usually a tuxedo. As the name suggests, a black bow tie or necktie is the traditional accessory, but today, some men choose to wear ties in other solid colors or even prints. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of men's and women's formal apparel.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024For ladies, black tie dress code means that there is an expectation to dress formally. This typically involves wearing a full-length gown. Bold statement jewelry and pumps are also commonly worn to black-tie events. For handbags, women usually opt to carry small clutches with black tie attire. Explore a wide variety of gowns, shoes, bags and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023What makes the Chanel little black dress so special has everything to do with what the garment symbolized and the era in which it materialized. Legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel revolutionized women’s wear, introducing a more casual, less constricting look for the early 20th century, and debuting uncomplicated skirts and jackets made of a cloth-like fabric called jersey that was considerably unconventional in the world of couture fashion. She set the fashion world alight in 1926 with an elegant but versatile black dress, which was simple and spare compared to other Jazz Age garments (and quite bold, as black was reserved for mourning). Importantly, the dress was affordable during a time of great financial difficulty and aimed at the broadest possible market. Find vintage Chanel dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Coco Chanel first made the little black dress popular in 1926. That year, Vogue magazine referred to the dress as Chanel’s Model T as a way to describe how the approachable design was something the average woman could wear, just as Ford’s Model T automobile made it possible for more everyday people to own a car. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Chanel dresses.
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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
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear
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A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story
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