Mid-20th Century Evening Dresses and Gowns

This is a late 1960s or early 1970s couture sequinned maxi gown by William Travilla whose name is synonymous with Marilyn Monroe for whom he worked as a costume designer from 1952. He designed, arguably, the most famous cinematic dress in history, the white pleated halterneck dress for 'The Seven Year Itch' and was Oscar nominated 5 times winning for 'The Adventures of Don Juan' where he designed costumes for Errol Flynn. He designed for his own label from 1957 and was widely acclaimed for his work on the television series The Thorn Birds and Dallas during the 1980s. The silk fabric in this gown is just beautiful and has an abstract almost painterly foliage print design; the vibrant greens and blues invoke a tropical vibe. Overlaying the silk from head to toe are tightly spaced clear sequins that have been joined together with a a silver thread giving an iridescence to the top layer of organza. The dress has a deep V-neck crossover empire line bodice with hidden covered popper buttons for modesty along the V-line. The gathered skirt is very full and is separately lined underneath in a fine quality silk crepe. A green velvet band with a neat bow completes the look. There's lots of hand finishing details on this dress and it is so well made that you could wear it either way around depending on whether you wanted slightly more coverage. The label inside the dress reads 'Haute Couture by Sally's and then the address is Palisades Park, New Jersey. Whilst not strictly, haute couture, this dress is as close to American designer royalty that you can get. A fellow vintage dealer I very much admire, Shrimpton...

Reminiscent of the architectural designs popularized by Balenciaga, this unique party dress features a stand-away silhouette that appears to float independently from the body that we...

Pure spun-sugar perfection, right down to the cotton candy colors. Visible beneath the silver lattice-embroidered top skirt, the ruffled attached petticoat provides volume enough to span nearly six feet. Not to be outdone, the massive center rear bow ensures sweetness both coming and going. Strapless prom dress...

Made in the most delicious shade of jade green cotton and decorated with silver glass lined beads and gunmetal silver bugle beads, this original 1950's evening dress and matching bol...

Beautiful 1950s LILLI DIAMOND ivory French lace wiggle dress! Wonderful fit hugs the body in all the right places, and was constructed to really fl...

Elegant Peach Silk Chiffon Art Deco Pleated Edge Trimmed Gown from the 1930's. Pleated trim is used to edge the cape collar, sleeves and create neckline flowers. Hook and eye closure at neck with pleated detail down front. Full bias skirt...

Amazing vintage handmade caftan, caramel color crushed silk velvet heavily with gold rim threads. Circa 1960's The honey gold velvet kaftan is embroidered and embellished entirely by...

1950s "Imperial" Aqua blue knit wool dress featuring iridescent beading and sequin configured in an abstract floral pattern throughout the entire dress. The skirt has a slit that rea...

An elegant and easy to wear white summer gown, or possible wedding dress. The dress is column style and fits over the head, though a zip could easily be added. It has lace sleaves , ...

Beautiful lemon yellow hand made empire line dress, in a lovely striped satin material, and finished with a velvet bow. It is fully lined with yellow...

What a fun yet classic vintage cocktail dress, dating to the 1960s! Though it is missing it's label, this dress is attributed to Givenchy; there are images of this exact dress with G...

1950s Emma Domb Black and Pink Tulle Party Dress. Ruffled tulle bodice embellished with pearls. Ribbon embellishments. Two layers of black tulle ov...

Chic 1960s mod space age LOUIS FERAUD khaki / tan and ivory short sleeve lightweight wool A-Line dress ! Tailored bodice features round white mock buttons up the front. Couture quali...

1960s custom made sleeveless shift cocktail dress in multi color sunflowers embroidered in gold metallic floral netting overlay. Perfect for mother of the bride or wedding . Color ...

Silver lurex jersey sleeveless dress with lozenges pattern. Polyester lining. SIZE L

1930s very Dark Rust Silk Velvet Ruched Evening Gown. Sleeves have been draped into folds that almost extend to the elbow. The bodice has a deep v-neckline a...

This magnificent 1950's cream dress and matching bolero, embellished with trailing soutache and claw set silver rhinestones, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapl...

French designer, Jacques Fath has been called the "Couturier's Couturier" and was considered one of the greatest couturiers of the 1950's. He was known for his outstanding opulent hi...

Chic EMMA DOMMB 1960s turquoise blue silk, rayon and velvet pearl encrusted dress ! Features a soft velvet above the bust. Silk / Rayon body with semi sheer mesh overlay. Tailored bo...

Elegant 1940's Draped Silk Crepe One Shoulder Gown with ruffled scarf. Draped bodice extends into shoulder with bralette stitched inside for support. Full skirt with panels at each s...

Beautiful and rare vintage 1950s lipstick red silk and nylon taffeta fit and flare dress ! Tailored bodice with a full skirt that features a black taffeta rose with green velvet ste...

Chic 1960s bubblegum pink Jackie O style silk dress! Flattering sheath shape with a bow at top left center neck. Full metal zipper up the back with hook...

A magnificent 1960s Pierre Cardin cocktail party and evening dress. Fashioned from sheer silk chiffon in ivory with a light green abstract floral print and trimmed at the hem with i...

Black silk Gazar cocktail dress with ribbons embroideries. Silk lining. Zip in the middle back and bow ( close with snap) SIZE L

A truly breathtaking and luxurious mid 1930's metallic gold shimmer lamé bias cut gown from the high-end London department store Debenham & Freebody. This special department store became the first of over 60 nationwide. In 1935 Debenham and Freebody advertised their fashionable model gowns under the tagline: ‘Distinction in Dress at Moderate Cost’ which was key during the historic Great Depression. Finding early examples from this rare label is incredibly hard to do let alone a gorgeous 'Old Hollywood...

1960S Off White Silk Blend Radzimir Crystal Beaded Jackie O Style Mod Empire Waist Gown

An ingenious design, this dress features a draped shoulder-to-shoulder scarf that may be worn in the back, the front, or even on the head for three different and completely captivati...

Wool-crêpe sleeveless cocktail dress with rhinestone. Zip and hook&eye middle back. Pauline Trigère (November 4, 1908 – February 13, 2002) was a Franco-American couturière. Her award...

A simply stunning vintage late 1940s evening dress. Made from a very heavy, purple satin Brocade fabric with a swirling floral pattern. It has long tulip sleeves...

1960s Emma Domb Over dyed lace dress. The entire dress is featuring a black dyed lace. The full length sleeves are sheer lined with a sheer net and has a decorative lace cap sleeves ...

Circa 1935/1940 France Elegant day dress in wine-red or burgundy silk crepe from the late 1930s. Loose dress with round collar and matching mechanical lac...

Perfect for Valentines Day! Chic 1960s OSCAR DE LA RENTA museum held pink flower and heart print long sleeve silk dress ! Features vibrant colors of purple, burgundy, green, red and ...

Circa 1958-1963 France Spectacular black tulle evening gown embroidered with heart-shaped sequins by Jean Dessès Haute Couture and dating f...

Beautiful 30s white flower print lightweight cotton voile bias cut sleeveless maxi dress! Features a stark white background with bouquets of flower...

Orange-pink damask evening dress-coat. Raglan sleeves. Zip in the middle back + snap + hook&eye in the middle top. 1 hook&eye on the waist. Gathered waist. Orange silk lining. Circa ...

Meraviglioso abito di ricerca vintage anni 50, colo viola la sua coda leggera rende fluido l'abito che è contornato da pregiate piume. La parte superiore a bustino è completata da un...

A great coral velvet dress from Emma Domb. It has a scoop neckline, shoulder straps and a small band at the waist. The straight skirt portion is encircled around the hem with 7 appl...

This pale seafoam green/blue dress is a very regal example of late 1960s haute couture evening wear. Cut in a classic and flattering A-line ...

This seductive 1950s black silk satin cocktail dress is of superb quality and construction and in superb vintage condition. The dress features a sweetheart neckline in soft black netting with a nude satin underlay and lace ruffle embellishment over the bust. There are spaghetti straps, princess seams along the bodice and a slightly dropped, curved waistline atop of a classic 50s full skirt...

Malcolm Starr early 1960s fuchsia pink silk twill evening dress. A beautiful dress for any special occasion. Dress has low, scooped neckline at the front with high bust darts and an ...

A gorgeous lavender silk dress made in 1960s British Hon Kong. It is sleeveless with a V neckline elaborately detailed in loops of piping highligh...

A highly traditional gown with positively regal bearing, this full-skirted wedding dress covers all bases. Though it conceals and arms and neck for propriety, its Queen Anne neckline provides allure through its center plunge; it has a full train for the ceremony, but can be buttoned at the rear back for the reception and dancing; lace and pearl beading provide texture and interest, but ultra-heavyweight Duchess satin lend gravitas and modesty. Truly, fit for a Queen. Ivory wedding gown...

Gorgeous and heavy hand-beaded and sequin wool knit dress. Unlined. Back metal zip and hook closure. Fabric contains some stretch. Details: Unlined Back Metal Zip Closure Cir...

We love vintage mid century evening gowns and this one is especially lovely. This vintage late 1950's or early 1960"s hi low evening dress is in a cream and bronze jacquard with gold metallic thread detail. The dress is fitted at the waist and has two decorative bows in the front center. There is a center back zipper for closure, and front of the dress is shorter than the back. This fully lined dress...

This is a wonderful late 1950s French couture lemon yellow beaded blouson dress from Pouppone. We have sold this label before and the workmanship is extraordinary, certain akin to t...

Balmain began his post-war career at the atelier of Lucien Lelong, where he worked alongside both Dior and Hubert de Givenchy. He is nown for his classic and elegant designs. His mastery of tailoring skills helped him to created with simplicity and fluid elegance. This Demi-couture Balmain cocktail dress incorporates the house’s well known mastery of tailoring and traditional techniques of classic couture. This beautiful cocktail dress is constructed from a luxurious silk faille material from the Lyon silk...

A rare 1960's formal dress by important American designer Gertrude Arzt of Huntington Texas. Indian inspired overall pattern in gold thread on a satin/silk morphing color from yello...

RARE red double lining crêpe evening dress with cape. Zip and hook&eye on the left side of the dress + split on the same side, lenght= 32 cm. ...

The combination of black and pink makes this dress simultaneously alluring and innocent. Cut with an asymmetrical "minarete silhouette" peplum made famous by Travis Banton, it also features an off-shoulder neckline made more wearable by the presence of spaghetti straps. Tea length short sleeve off-shoulder party dress of black taffeta with tulle overlay embellished with pink ribbon lace and embroidered flowers; lightly ruched sweetheart bust and spaghetti straps. Asymmetrical peplum from left hip to right ankle; black and pink tulle skirt...

Oscar de la Renta Gilt Floral Reembroidered Lace Mini Baby Doll Dress from the 1960's. Designed as a mini with full sheer sleeves with a faux bolero edged in elaborate gold bullion and rhinestone trim with gilt hoops. Opens down front with hooks and snaps with built in tulle crinoline. Retailed by L.A. Schulman, White Plains...

This 1960s cream and gold lurex maxi dress by Jean Allen could easily be dressed up for a formal event or worn more informally as resort wear. It is sleevel...

The breathtaking rich red and maroon watercolor deco floral print used on this late 1930's silk gown has a striking allure that I find irresistible. The elegant bodice has a low plun...

This is a lovely vintage dress designed by Kiki Hart in the late 1960's or early 1970's. The dress has a brown/black sequin bodice and ivory satin long skirt, cuffs and collar. .Th...

50s flocked Velvet Drop Waist Cocktail Dress. There is a lot of fading and wear on the velvet of the skirt, as well as badly done repairs to ...

Pale blue fully beaded cocktail dress on a chiffon base. Rayon lining. Beaded belt with snap and hook&eye to close it. Zip and snap on the left side. Gros-grain on the waist. Boned ...

Beautiful late 60s LEVANTIS Nikis 3 - Athens black and red linen maxi dress ! Fitted bodice has a full metal zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Bishop sleeves features hid...

This vivacious 1960s red silk chiffon empire line dress is by American designer Levino Verna and is in beautiful vintage condition with a vibrant, ...

Chic 50s vintage R&K ORIGINALS ivory / off-white silk jacquar sleeveless Dress! Features a luxurious silk jacquard floral silk. Fitted bodice with a forgiving full skirt. Two bows at...