Question 1

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 2

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 3

What did Ladies Wear in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.

Question 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

Which designer was called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

Claire McCardell was the designer often called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s. An American designer, she helped introduce women's sportswear to the United States and was particularly well-known for her bias-cut, loose-fitting Monastic dress. When World War II broke out in the 1940s, she designed pieces out of readily available materials like denim, calico and wool jersey, introducing new fabrics for women's clothing that would remain popular well after the close of the war. Many people point to McCardell as one of the first successful American fashion designers. Shop a collection of Claire McCardell apparel on 1stDibs.

Question 16

What did wedding dresses look like in the 1900s?

Accepted Answer

In 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.

Question 17

Which designer became famous with her wrap dresses in the 1970s?

Accepted Answer

The designer who became famous with her wrap dresses in the 1970s is Diane von Furstenberg. She debuted her first example in 1974. When creating the Wrap dress, von Furstenberg drew inspiration from the skirts worn by ballerinas. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the now-iconic dress, an exhibit called Diane von Furstenberg: Journey of a Dress was held at museums in the United States and abroad. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Diane von Furstenberg apparel and accessories.

1940s Knit Dress

1940s Day Dresses

Vintage 1940's Magenta Knitted Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8

1940s American Evening Gowns

1940's Terracotta Crochet Tea Length Knit Dress Size 2 4

Recent Sales

1940s Day Dresses

Navy Blue Silk Ribbon Knit Knee Length Dress and Belt, 1940s

1940s American Dress and Coat Ensembles

Outstanding Sienna & Black Knit Beaded Ensemble, 1940's Vintage

1940s French Evening Gowns

Important 1940s Madame Grès Grecian Goddess Silk Knit Gown in Black and Red

1940s Austrian Day Dresses

1940's Austrian Hand Knit Claret Wool Dress

1940s Unknown Casual Dresses

A vintage 1940s red and black ribbon work knit dress

1940s American Day Dresses

1940's Emerald Green & Gray Wool Knit Dress With Micro Pleating & Scarf

1940s American Casual Dresses

1940s Multi-Color Stripe Boucle Knit Dress with Coordinating Knit Purse

1940s Casual Dresses

A vintage 1940s cream ribbon work, ribbon knit dress size S small

1940s American Aesthetic Day Dresses

1940's Emerald Green & Toffee Deco Motif Wool-Knit Pleated Skirt Sweater Dress

1940s Austrian Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1940's Austrian Metallic-Gold Threaded Brown Wool-Knit Swing Dress Ensemble

1940s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1940's Metallic Creme Wool Knit Beaded Floral-Motif Hourglass Cocktail Dress

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

1940's Elegant Beaded Navy-Blue Hourglass Hand-Knit Wool Swing Dress

1940s American Aesthetic Day Dresses

1940's Cranberry-Red Beaded Applique Chenille Knit Wool Belted Sweater Skirt Set

People Also Browsed

1990s Evening Gowns

1990s Bob Mackie Size 10 Black Crepe Sexy 90s Vintage High Slit Evening Gown

1990s Italian Day Dresses

John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress

1950s French Cocktail Dresses

1950s Christian Dior Little Black Dress w Tucked Bustline and Fitted Waist

1980s Loungewear

NWT 1980s Christian Dior Ivory Satin Lace Three Piece Cami 80s Lingerie PJ Set

Early 1900s American Jackets

Edwardian Batiste Embroidered Bolero

1930s Aesthetic Evening Dresses

30s Pale Yellow Mesh Gown with Swiss Dot Motif, Ruffle, and Slip

1980s French Maxi Dress

Late 1980s Thierry Mugler Sculptural Velvet Faux Skirt Suit Midi Dress

1920s French Sheath Dresses

Circa 1922 ADAIR Paris Black Silk Velvet Beaded Evening Flapper Dress Size XL

1980s Day Dresses

1980s Claude Montana Black Linen Shirtwaist Dress

1950s American Swimwear

Yellow Polynesian Print Tulip Skirt Swimsuit Play Suit Beach Romper – S, 1950s

Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

AlexanderMcQueen 2002 Shredded SilkChiffon Wool Black Evening Gown

1940s American Skirt Suits

1940's Wool Skirt Suit

1990s French Coats and Outerwear

Thierry Mugler Fall 1997 Couture Faux Fur Brown & Gold Sparkly Coat - Jacket

1970s French Jackets

Yves Saint Laurent Chinese Collection Belted Wool Jacket

1970s German Jackets

Sexy German Christine Vogdt 1970s Lynx Fur Stroller Length Coat US Size 8 Medium

1950s French Day Dresses

A Madame Grès Couture Evening Dress - Autumn Winter 1953

1940s Knit Dress For Sale on 1stDibs

How Much is a 1940s Knit 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