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1940s Velvet Dress

Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Dress
Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Dress

Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Dress

Located in London, GB

A stunning vintage black velvet gown. The dress has a sweetheart neckline, with gathering at the

Category

1940s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns

VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS
VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS

VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS

Located in New York, NY

This vintage 1940s bias-cut velvet dress is the black velvet dress your wardrobe is missing— it is

Category

1940s Maxi Dresses

Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué
Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué

Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué

Located in New York, NY

velvet with felt rose appliqué and beaded embroidery— it actually presents like a dress, but is really

Category

1940s Aesthetic Day Dresses

1970s Does 1940s Purple & Red Velvet Tie-Dye Boho Dress
1970s Does 1940s Purple & Red Velvet Tie-Dye Boho Dress

1970s Does 1940s Purple & Red Velvet Tie-Dye Boho Dress

Located in London, GB

pattern on the front of the bodice and around the hem. This dress has a very 1940s feel to it with a full

Category

1970s British Cocktail Dresses

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Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Evening Dress or Hostess Gown
Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Evening Dress or Hostess Gown

Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Evening Dress or Hostess Gown

Located in Portland, OR

This vintage early 1940s black velvet gown by Kamore was originally designed to be a hostess gown

Category

Mid-20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns

Vintage 1940s Velvet Dress
Vintage 1940s Velvet Dress

Vintage 1940s Velvet Dress

Located in New York, NY

Vintage 1940s Velvet Dress, Size Small: This is the black velvet dress your wardrobe is missing

Category

1940s Maxi Dresses

1940s  Burgundy velvet dress
1940s  Burgundy velvet dress

1940s Burgundy velvet dress

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Size: 6/medium

1940s Burgundy velvet dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Beautiful vintage 1940s Burgundy velvet cocktail dress with creme dots. size: 6 14" - across

Category

1940s American Cocktail 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

Category

Mid-20th Century British Evening Dresses

1940s Black Velvet gown with sequins applique
1940s Black Velvet gown with sequins applique

1940s Black Velvet gown with sequins applique

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Hollywood Glam 1940s V neck Sequin floral appliqué with colors of coral, seafoam green, dusty blue

Category

1940s American Evening Gowns

1940's Silk Velvet Dress
1940's Silk Velvet Dress

1940's Silk Velvet Dress

Located in Water Mill, NY

Exquisite 1940's soft, silk velvet dress in a lovely shade of dusty blue with bronze undertones

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

Velvet / Rayon Black Embellished Dress 1940s
Velvet / Rayon Black Embellished Dress 1940s

Velvet / Rayon Black Embellished Dress 1940s

Located in Port Hope, ON

This tailored dress is in great condition for its age. The upper part is velvet embellished with

Category

1940s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns

1940s Black Velvet Hand Painted Dress
1940s Black Velvet Hand Painted Dress

1940s Black Velvet Hand Painted Dress

Located in London, GB

Sensational black velvet gown with beautiful hand painted floral motifs in subtle hews of purple

Category

1940s Evening Dresses and Gowns

1993 Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe black velvet RUNWAY dress
1993 Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe black velvet RUNWAY dress

1993 Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe black velvet RUNWAY dress

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe, Chloé

Located in San Fransisco, CA

Very unique, 1940's style jet-black velvet dress with yellow accents designed by Karl Lagerfeld for

Category

1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

1940s Henri Bendel Black Velvet Evening Gown with Dolman Sleeves + Lace Insert
1940s Henri Bendel Black Velvet Evening Gown with Dolman Sleeves + Lace Insert

1940s Henri Bendel Black Velvet Evening Gown with Dolman Sleeves + Lace Insert

By Henri Bendel

Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL

This formal evening gown is labeled Henri Bendel and was likely manufactured sometime in the 1940s

Category

1940s American Evening Gowns

Late 1940s Hand Embroidered Black Velvet Fitted Dress
Late 1940s Hand Embroidered Black Velvet Fitted Dress

Late 1940s Hand Embroidered Black Velvet Fitted Dress

Located in Rockwood, ON

This is really an amazing and strong styled late forties dress that I just love. It is made of a

Category

1940s Day Dresses

Red Velvet Drop Waist Dress circa 1940s
Red Velvet Drop Waist Dress circa 1940s

Red Velvet Drop Waist Dress circa 1940s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is a red velvet drop waist dress c. 1940s. The designer for the dress is unknown due to the

Category

1940s Shift Cocktail Dresses

1940's Black Velvet Asymmetric One-Shoulder Bombshell Gown
1940's Black Velvet Asymmetric One-Shoulder Bombshell Gown

1940's Black Velvet Asymmetric One-Shoulder Bombshell Gown

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

In this gorgeous 1940's "Madeleine et Cie" designer gown, the detailed construction and meticulous

Category

1940s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1940's Hollywood  Black Velvet  Gown w/  Lace Train and Wrap
1940's Hollywood  Black Velvet  Gown w/  Lace Train and Wrap

1940's Hollywood Black Velvet Gown w/ Lace Train and Wrap

Located in Toronto, ON

Late 1940's red carpet velvet boned bodice gown with lush black and white lace and crinoline

Category

1940s Canadian Evening Gowns

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1990's Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld Long sleeve Leopard Zucca print mini Dress

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By Fendi

Located in Sheffield, GB

1990’s Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld Long sleeve Leopard print mini Dress. MADE IN ITALY. Slightly sheer stretchy material. Repeat FF logos amongst the iconic 1990s Fendi House Leopard pr...

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RARE Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 2003 Pink Embroidered Kimono Clutch Bag Purse
RARE Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 2003 Pink Embroidered Kimono Clutch Bag Purse

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Regency Burgundy Silk Velvet Jeweled Cutout Back Bias Gown with Train – L, 1930s

Regency Burgundy Silk Velvet Jeweled Cutout Back Bias Gown with Train – L, 1930s

Located in Tucson, AZ

While the rich color, poured-on bias draping and jewel button sleeves will elicit gasps, the real star of this gown is the back: two diamond cutouts linked by pave jeweled hoops make...

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1960s I. Magnin Double-Breasted Leopard Print Faux Fur w Notched Collar

1960s I. Magnin Double-Breasted Leopard Print Faux Fur w Notched Collar

By I Magnin and Co

Located in Gresham, OR

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Bobbie Jerome 1950s Sculptural Velvet Handbag with Bakelite Handles

Bobbie Jerome 1950s Sculptural Velvet Handbag with Bakelite Handles

Located in Water Mill, NY

A gorgeous rich black silk velvet handbag with rounded deep orange Bakelite top handles. It has a gently curved top and gold clasp closure. The bag is lined in black silk with 2 Ins...

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Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT
Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT

Roberto Cavalli Runway Sequin Sun Evening Gown and Cape F/W 2004 Size 40IT

By Roberto Cavalli

Located in Saint Petersburg, FL

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By Jean Patou

Located in Sparks, NV

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Located in Switzerland, CH

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By Maggie Norris Couture

Located in Milano, Lombardia

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Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Avant-Garde Hooded Dress c 21st C

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Avant-Garde Hooded Dress c 21st C

$445Sale Price|22% Off

Size: Refer to measurements

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By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche

Located in University City, MO

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By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent

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Fall 2005 Alexander McQueen 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' Full Lace Back Dr Runway
Fall 2005 Alexander McQueen 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' Full Lace Back Dr Runway

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EPIC John Galliano Evening Gown Black Silk Dress FW 08/09

EPIC John Galliano Evening Gown Black Silk Dress FW 08/09

By John Galliano

Located in Berlin, BE

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1940s Velvet Dress For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact vintage or contemporary 1940s velvet dress you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Black is a pretty popular color, but we also have Brown, Gray, Red and more in stock now. Finding the perfect 1940s velvet dress may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions were made as early as the 20th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 21st Century, can also be found on the site. Finding an appealing accessory such as this — no matter the origin — is easy, but Christian Dior, Emma Domb and Hattie Carnegie each produced a popular version that is worth a look. When shopping for these accessories, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men or unisex today than there are for women.

How Much is a 1940s Velvet Dress?

On average, a 1940s velvet dress on 1stDibs sells for $795, while they’re typically $150 on the low end and $6,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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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