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1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Party Lines by Domb 1940s Brown Plaid Taffeta Drop-Waist Party Gown
Party Lines by Domb 1940s Brown Plaid Taffeta Drop-Waist Party Gown

Party Lines by Domb 1940s Brown Plaid Taffeta Drop-Waist Party Gown

By Emma Domb

Located in Morongo Valley, CA

Party gown in brown plaid taffeta, c. 1940s, by Party Lines by Domb — the early California label of Emma Domb. - Brown taffeta with plaid windowpane pattern; warm brown base with cr...

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

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1940s Adrian Black Linen Cocktail Party Dress
1940s Adrian Black Linen Cocktail Party Dress

1940s Adrian Black Linen Cocktail Party Dress

By Gilbert Adrian

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1940s gorgeous, lightweight linen party dress from famed American costume designer Adrian features his iconic structural avant-garde pleating.

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage 1940s Emma Domb Red Chiffon Party Dress
Vintage 1940s Emma Domb Red Chiffon Party Dress

Vintage 1940s Emma Domb Red Chiffon Party Dress

By Emma Domb

Located in Hudson on the Saint Croix, WI

➳ vintage 1950s dress * red chiffon * acetate lining * gathered bodice * side zipper * by Emma Domb condition | excellent fits like m/l length 61" bodice 17.5" bu...

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1940s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage 1940s party dress, Velvet burnout, novelty print
Vintage 1940s party dress, Velvet burnout, novelty print

Vintage 1940s party dress, Velvet burnout, novelty print

Located in NEWARK, GB

A superb, gorgeous vintage late 1940s evening dress. It has a sumptuous black silk velvet bodice with a soft sweetheart neckline and faux buttons shaped like flowers in a diamante s...

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Mid-20th Century British 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Late 1940's Adele Simpson Cherry Red & Blue Satin Party Dress
Late 1940's Adele Simpson Cherry Red & Blue Satin Party Dress

Late 1940's Adele Simpson Cherry Red & Blue Satin Party Dress

By Adele Simpson

Located in Atlanta, GA

This early Adele Simpson design is the epitome of a fun party dress. The cherry red satin fabric is accented with navy blue flowers and provides the right amount of stiff structure ...

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage Soutache & Lace Pink Full Sweep Party Dress 1940s 1950s
Vintage Soutache & Lace Pink Full Sweep Party Dress 1940s 1950s

Vintage Soutache & Lace Pink Full Sweep Party Dress 1940s 1950s

Located in Sparks, NV

Description: Stunning vintage 1940's/50's pink with mauve/lilac lace and soutache trim cocktail/party dress.

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1950s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage 1940s Rainbow Striped Party Dress with a Full Sweep
Vintage 1940s Rainbow Striped Party Dress with a Full Sweep

Vintage 1940s Rainbow Striped Party Dress with a Full Sweep

Located in Sparks, NV

Gorgeous vintage party dress in colorful rainbow stripes. Full sweep with gathered shoulders and a V-neckline. Details: Side Metal Zip Closure Unlined Multicolor Rainbow Str...

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Susan Small English Mod Maxi Sweater Dress, 1970's
Susan Small English Mod Maxi Sweater Dress, 1970's

Susan Small English Mod Maxi Sweater Dress, 1970's

By Susan Small

Located in Atlanta, GA

Susan Small was a British ready-to-wear clothing line opened in the 1940's with a reputation for party dress designs.

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1970s English 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Tangerine Dream Embroided Rhinestone 1940's Dress
Tangerine Dream Embroided Rhinestone 1940's Dress

Tangerine Dream Embroided Rhinestone 1940's Dress

Located in Toronto, ON

1940's Party Dress. This dress is in a beautiful shade of tangerine orange.

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

1940's Beaded Crepe Party Dress
1940's Beaded Crepe Party Dress

1940's Beaded Crepe Party Dress

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Gorgeous 1940's mauve rayon crepe party dress is embroidered entirely with swirling lines of gunmetal gray glass beads.

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

1940's Fuchsia Floral Print Metallic Indian-Silk Halter Full-Skirt Party Dress
1940's Fuchsia Floral Print Metallic Indian-Silk Halter Full-Skirt Party Dress

1940's Fuchsia Floral Print Metallic Indian-Silk Halter Full-Skirt Party Dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This "Merwin Fawkes" designer creation is one of the most alluring and flattering 1940's party dress I have ever seen. Fashioned from "light as a feather" fuchsia-pink floral Indian-...

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

1940s/1950s Lawn Party White Pique Dress
1940s/1950s Lawn Party White Pique Dress

1940s/1950s Lawn Party White Pique Dress

Located in New York, NY

SALE! Originally $295 This lovely white lace trimmed dress evokes a past era of elegany garden parties. The dress has a side zipper plus hook and eyes, and is a medium weight basket...

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1940s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

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By Carolina Herrera

Located in San Diego, CA

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1960's Harry Algo Brown and Cream Satin Gown

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1960's Harry Algo Brown and Cream Satin Gown

By Harry Algo

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Fabulous Harry Algo brown and cream satin shirtwaist style gown from the 1960's. Upper bodice with a silk cream collar and a large brown bow. Woven satin ribbon on bodice creates che...

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1980s Bernard Perris Vintage Brown Copper Metallic Pleated Dress
1980s Bernard Perris Vintage Brown Copper Metallic Pleated Dress

1980s Bernard Perris Vintage Brown Copper Metallic Pleated Dress

By Bernard Perris

Located in Sparks, NV

Amazing vintage Bernard Perris copper/brown pleated dress with belt loops and tiered skirt. Partially lined with front button closure, rear zip, hook and snap closure with zip closur...

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1980s French 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage 1980s Victor Costa Women's Christmas Maxi Dress Velvet Plaid
Vintage 1980s Victor Costa Women's Christmas Maxi Dress Velvet Plaid

Vintage 1980s Victor Costa Women's Christmas Maxi Dress Velvet Plaid

By Victor Costa

Located in Miami, FL

This dress is a holiday dream. Like you stepped off the set of White Christmas. A 1980s Victor Costa in red and green plaid taffeta with a full skirt and plisse ruffle hem at the b...

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1980s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

OSCAR DE LA RENTA 2006 Vintage Brown Silk Evening Gown Maxi Dress
OSCAR DE LA RENTA 2006 Vintage Brown Silk Evening Gown Maxi Dress

OSCAR DE LA RENTA 2006 Vintage Brown Silk Evening Gown Maxi Dress

By Oscar De La Renta

Located in Leonardo, NJ

Oscar de la Renta Vintage Similar style seen on the runway FW06 Dark brown silk Red velvet rosette Invisible back zip Size USA 2 but fits more like a 0 as it is tight at the bust E...

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Early 2000s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

1950s Nina Ricci Couture Brown + Black Medallion Print Silk Vintage 50s Dress
1950s Nina Ricci Couture Brown + Black Medallion Print Silk Vintage 50s Dress

1950s Nina Ricci Couture Brown + Black Medallion Print Silk Vintage 50s Dress

By Nina Ricci

Located in San Diego, CA

Wonderful mid-late 50s NINA RICCI Couture brown and black medallion print silk dress ! Feataures symmetrical medallion prints on an iridescent silk. Wrap style with interior button a...

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1950s Autumnal 3 - D Checkered Plaid Pleated 50s Cotton Vintage Dress
1950s Autumnal 3 - D Checkered Plaid Pleated 50s Cotton Vintage Dress

1950s Autumnal 3 - D Checkered Plaid Pleated 50s Cotton Vintage Dress

Located in San Diego, CA

Chic 1950s 'Autumnal' pleated cotton dress! Warm tones, in plaid, with three dimensional contrasting black sketched plaid throughout. Pleated bodice and skirt, that looks sensational...

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1950s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Incredible Vintage Rose Taft 1950s Style Black + Brown Lace + Silk Taffeta Gown
Incredible Vintage Rose Taft 1950s Style Black + Brown Lace + Silk Taffeta Gown

Incredible Vintage Rose Taft 1950s Style Black + Brown Lace + Silk Taffeta Gown

By ROSE TAFT

Located in San Diego, CA

Insanely gorgeous vintage ROSE TAFT black and brown 1950s 50s style couture strapless gown! Features a full brown silk satin gown, with an attached black silk French lace overlay. Bl...

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Late 20th Century American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

1960s S. Howard Hirsh Chocolate Brown + Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown
1960s S. Howard Hirsh Chocolate Brown + Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown

1960s S. Howard Hirsh Chocolate Brown + Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful early 60s vintage S. HOWARD HIRSH chocolate brown and black silk chiffon vending dress! Features a black paneled bodice, with a brown full length skirt. Slit at back center...

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1990s Pamela Dennis Couture Size 8 Vintage Chocolate Brown Sequin Taffeta Gown
1990s Pamela Dennis Couture Size 8 Vintage Chocolate Brown Sequin Taffeta Gown

1990s Pamela Dennis Couture Size 8 Vintage Chocolate Brown Sequin Taffeta Gown

By Pamela Dennis / Bergdorf Goodman, Pamela Dennis

Located in San Diego, CA

Exquisite vintage 90s PAMELA DENNIS couture, for BERGDORF GOODMAN, chocolate cocoa brown sequined and silk taffeta evening dress! Features all-over hand-sewn small brown sequins thro...

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1990s American 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6
Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6

Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6

Located in Nashville, TN

A beauty to behold, this original 1930's satin dress rendered in the most sumptuous shade of amber satin, is the perfect statement piece for your special occasion wardrobe. The rou...

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1930s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

Madame Eme 1920's Custom Brown Silk Gown with Boler Size Small
Madame Eme 1920's Custom Brown Silk Gown with Boler Size Small

Madame Eme 1920's Custom Brown Silk Gown with Boler Size Small

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This Madame Eme set is composed of a brown silk and features a floral accent. There are side hook and eye closures on the dress. The bolero has an open style with draped sleeves. In ...

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Louis Féraud Haute Couture Black and Brown Silk Taffeta Dress

Louis Féraud Haute Couture Black and Brown Silk Taffeta Dress

By Louis Feraud

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Louis Feraud - (Made in France) Haute Couture black and brown silk taffeta dress sewn with lace. No size nor composition label, it fits a 36FR/38FR. Additional information: Conditio...

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1980s French 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

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Located in Water Mill, NY

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By Christian Dior

Located in San Francisco, CA

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Chanel Vintage S/S 1998 Silver Crystal Chiclet Straps Black 98p Gown Dress

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By Chanel

Located in Jersey City, NJ

Meet this exquisite vintage Chanel dress from the iconic Spring/Summer 1998 collection, famously worn by the stunning Naomi Campbell. Crafted from luxurious black wool crepe, its sil...

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Lilac One-Shoulder Gown with Hand Beaded Lace Detail
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Located in Los Angeles, CA

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Elie Tahari Beaded Chiffon Floral Gown

By Elie Tahari

Located in New York, NY

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Located in Dubai, AE

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Bonnie Cashin for Sills Spring 1968 Cream Check Wool Tweed Coat, Documented
Bonnie Cashin for Sills Spring 1968 Cream Check Wool Tweed Coat, Documented

Bonnie Cashin for Sills Spring 1968 Cream Check Wool Tweed Coat, Documented

By Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie Cashin

Located in Los Angeles, CA

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Alexander McQueen Hummingbird Dragonfly Floral Fitted Dress

Alexander McQueen Hummingbird Dragonfly Floral Fitted Dress

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Berlin, BE

Gorgeous Alexander McQueen fitted dress with beautiful kaleidoscope print featuring hummingbirds, dragonflies and flowers. Gold tones background, beautiful construction. Alexander ...

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2010s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

New Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008 Size 40 / US 8 Black Silk Strapless Dress
New Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008 Size 40 / US 8 Black Silk Strapless Dress

New Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008 Size 40 / US 8 Black Silk Strapless Dress

By Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent

Located in San Diego, CA

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Vivienne Westwood S/S 1992 Salon White Boulle Mesh Tulle Corset

Vivienne Westwood S/S 1992 Salon White Boulle Mesh Tulle Corset

By Vivienne Westwood

Located in Jersey City, NJ

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1990s 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

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1950s Victor Josselyn Cocktail Dress

1950s Victor Josselyn Cocktail Dress

Located in London, GB

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Black lingerie bustier dress JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER for La Redoute
Black lingerie bustier dress JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER for La Redoute

Black lingerie bustier dress JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER for La Redoute

By Jean Paul Gaultier

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

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Christian Dior Couture Numbered Gown 1970s
Christian Dior Couture Numbered Gown 1970s

Christian Dior Couture Numbered Gown 1970s

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Located in Water Mill, NY

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Jean Paul Gaultier Sweater with Belt 1990s

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Located in Water Mill, NY

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1987 AZZEDINE ALAIA black wool RUNWAY dress with off the shoulder neckline S/M
1987 AZZEDINE ALAIA black wool RUNWAY dress with off the shoulder neckline S/M

1987 AZZEDINE ALAIA black wool RUNWAY dress with off the shoulder neckline S/M

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in San Fransisco, CA

Stunning jet black wool dress by Azzedine Alaia, Fall 1987, as seen on the runway on Yasmin Le Bon. The dress has a wide, rounded neckline that can be worn on or off the shoulders, w...

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1980s Italian 1940s Vintage Party Dresses

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1940s Vintage Party Dresses For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our collection of 1940s vintage party dresses. If you’re looking for black 1940s vintage party dresses and you’re unable to find the right fit, there are plenty of variations in red, gray and more. Finding the perfect accessories for you may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions of these were made as early as the 20th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 20th Century, can also be found on the site. Finding appealing 1940s vintage party dresses such as these — no matter the origin — is easy, but Ceil Chapman, Emma Domb and Fred Perlberg each produced popular versions that are worth a look.

How Much are 1940s Vintage Party Dresses?

On average, 1940s vintage party dresses on 1stDibs sell for $1,600, while they’re typically $195 on the low end and $3,950 for the highest priced versions of these items.

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.

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