Question 1

What did brides wear in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.

Question 2

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 3

Did they have record players in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What did phones look like in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1930s, phones typically looked like rotary telephones. They had either a round or square base with a numbered dial that spun when you dialed and a handset receiver with both an earpiece and a mouthpiece. A cord connected the handset to the base. Find a variety of rotary phones on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What dresses were popular in the 90s?

Accepted Answer

Many different styles of dress were popular in the 1990s, including the slip dress which became very common by the middle of the decade. Tastes and styles varied between regions and among people. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage 1990s dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques.

Question 6

What dresses were popular in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

A 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.

Question 7

What were the dresses in the 20s called?

Accepted Answer

In the 1920s, the flapper dress became a fresh new look for both day and evening wear. This shift dress hung from shoulder to just below the knee with a significant drop waistline. The evening versions of these dresses often featured lace, fringe, beadwork and luxe fabrics like chiffon, velvet and taffeta. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage flapper dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How can I tell if a dress is from the 1960s or 1970s?

Accepted Answer

To tell if a dress is from the 1960s or 1970s, first look for a label. You may be able to determine the approximate date of the dress simply by researching the designer using reputable online sources. Also, check the zippers. Dresses from the 1960s will usually have metal or nylon zippers. Ones from the 1970s are more likely to be plastic. You'll find a large selection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is a 1940s style dress?

Accepted Answer

The 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.

Question 10

What dresses did they wear in the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

The 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.

Question 11

What dress was popular in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

One 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.

Question 12

What are 1920s dresses called?

Accepted Answer

The iconic dresses from the 1920s are called flapper dresses. This name comes from the term flapper, which was used to describe young women during the period who enjoyed personal fulfillment and independence in American cities, particularly as they gained the right to vote and enjoy other freedoms previously reserved for men. Flappers danced at jazz clubs and upended most societal restrictions placed on women at the time, and fashion statements typically attributed to flappers included short “bob” haircuts, higher hemlines and other then-audacious style choices. Find a selection of flapper dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 13

How should I dress for a ’70s party?

Accepted Answer

There 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.

Question 14

How did people dress in the 1990s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1990s, people dressed in different ways. Styles included grunge, modern preppy, hip-hop and goth. Some trends of the decade were slip dresses, plaid flannel shirts, long plaid skirts, overalls, combat boots and loose-fitting rolled jeans. Neon colors were popular for a time, as were fabric headbands and fabric-covered ponytail holders. Shop a selection of 90s vintage apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.

Question 15

What is black tie dress code?

Accepted Answer

Black 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.

Question 16

What are 50s style dresses called?

Accepted Answer

1950s-style dresses are often called poodle skirt dresses. The dress is generally a fit-and-flare shape with a wide swing skirt. Another popular type of dress is the form-fitting sheath, also known as a pencil dress.

Question 17

What color were flapper dresses in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

Flapper dresses from the 1920s came in a range of colors, although darker hues such as black and navy were immensely popular. Flapper dresses were cut with straight and slim silhouettes, were typically knee-length and had a lower neckline. They were often made from silk chiffon and featured beaded details. You’ll find a selection of 1920s flapper dresses from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 18

What is the dress code for a black tie event?

Accepted Answer

The 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.

Question 19

What was the dress style in the 1960s called?

Accepted Answer

What the dress style was called in the 1960s varied, as there were several types of dresses that were fashionable during the decade. At the start of the 1960s, many women wore swing dresses featuring fitted bodices and full skirts. Collared, button-up belted dresses called shirtwaist dresses were also popular, as were loose-fitting, flowy shift dresses. By the late 1960s, new styles emerged, such as flared, flowing tent dresses, sleeveless jumpers usually styled over sweaters and blouses and drop-waist dresses, which had their waist seams at the hips rather than the natural waist. Find a variety of 1960s dresses and other vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 20

Who made the little black dress famous?

Accepted Answer

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel made the little black dress famous. In 1926, Chanel introduced it, reclaiming a color that had once been largely reserved for mourning. When it debuted, Vogue magazine called the dress Chanel's Ford, considering that just as the Model T made automobile ownership attainable for the middle class, the little black dress made high fashion accessible for everyday women. Find a variety of Chanel dresses on 1stDibs.

1930s Black Dress

1930s French Evening Dresses

1930s Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1930s French Chemises

1930s American Evening Dresses and Gowns

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s Evening Dresses

1930s Informal Dresses

1930s British Evening Dresses and Gowns

1930s American Evening Dresses

1930s Evening Gowns

1930s American Evening Dresses and Gowns

1930s American Maxi Dress

1930s Unknown Evening Dresses

20th Century Evening Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s British Evening Dresses

1920s French Evening Dresses

1930s Unknown Evening Gowns

1930s European Evening Dresses

1930s Unknown Day Dresses

1930s American Evening Dresses

1920s Casual Dresses

1930s British Evening Gowns

1930s French Evening Dresses

1930s Evening Dresses

1930s American Evening Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Day Dresses

1930s French Evening Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s Cocktail Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s American Sheath Dresses

1930s British Evening Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s Casual Dresses

1930s French Evening Dresses

1930s British Evening Dresses and Gowns

1930s French Cocktail Dresses

1960s Casual Dresses

1930s Cocktail Dresses

1930s British Evening Dresses

Early 20th Century Evening Dresses

1930s American Evening Gowns

1930s Unknown Evening Dresses

1930s Evening Gowns

20th Century American Evening Gowns

20th Century American Evening Gowns

Early 20th Century Evening Gowns

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses

20th Century American Evening Gowns

1930s American Evening Dresses

1930s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Early 2000s French Informal Dresses

1930s Unknown Cocktail Dresses

1930s Black Dress For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much is a 1930s Black Dress?

Finding the Right Clothing for You

Read More

Barbra Streisand Channeled Klimt’s ‘Woman in Gold’ in This Shimmering Dress

A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet

Behind the 1970s and ’80s Glam of ‘Halston’ with the Hit Show’s Costume Designer

A Short History of Capri Pants, on the 100th Birthday of Their Inventor

How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear

A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story

You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About

The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior

More Ways To Browse