1940s Mustard Yellow Beaded Gown
Located in Kingston, NY
1940s golden marigold crepe dress featuring intricate metallic bugle beadwork in an architectural Art Deco–inspired motif across both the front and back bodice. The fitted waist tran...
1940s Mustard Yellow Beaded Gown
Located in Kingston, NY
1940s golden marigold crepe dress featuring intricate metallic bugle beadwork in an architectural Art Deco–inspired motif across both the front and back bodice. The fitted waist tran...
Vintage 1940s Pink Silk Evening Gown Blush Silk Soutache Gown US 4 UK 8
Located in Nashville, TN
A beauty to behold. This original 1940's pink silk dress, embellished with trailing silk threaded soutache embroidery depicting blossoming flowers, surrounded by pearlescent beaded d...
A Couture Evening dress by Maison Paquin/Antonio Del Castillo - France C. 1949
By Jeanne Paquin
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1949. France Haute Couture evening dress in chocolate brown stretch silk jersey by the
1940S Purple Embroidered Antique Lace Gown
Located in New York, NY
1940S Purple Embroidered Antique Lace Gown
Elegant Retro Satin Glamour Gown
Located in New York, NY
Quintessential Timeless Retro Satin Glamour Gown from the 1940's. Of Silk Satin with twist detail
Dramatic Silk Satin Embroidered Dressing Gown
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic Retro Silk Satin Embroidered Dressing Gown from the 1940's. Shirtwaist style in slinky
Emma Domb Rose 1940s Gown
By Emma Domb
Located in Alford, MA
Emma Domb was a California designer known for her cocktail, evening, and wedding attire created first under the Party Lines label and then under the label Emma Domb. This long dress ...
Vintage 1940s Lace Gown with Shoulder Draping
Located in New York, NY
This stunning vintage late 1940s/early 1950s lace gown is defined by the most romantic off-the
1940s Black Velvet Evening Gown with Ecru Lace and Rhinestones
Located in Kingston, NY
1940s black velvet evening gown featuring an elegant lace capelet overlay adorned with hand-set
1940S Green & Purple Floral Plaid Rayon Taffeta Summer Gown
Located in New York, NY
1940S Green & Purple Floral Plaid Rayon Taffeta Summer Gown
1940's Printed Draped Silk One Shoulder Gown
Located in New York, NY
Elegant 1940's Draped Silk Crepe One Shoulder Gown with ruffled scarf. Draped bodice extends into
Black Crepe and Gold Kid Leather Deco Gown
Located in New York, NY
Black Rayon Crepe and Gold Kid Leather One Piece Deco Gown from the late 1930's, early 1940's
1940's Beaded Crepe and Bias Rope Trimmed Gown
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Beaded Crepe and Self Fabric Bias Rope Trimmed Gown from the 1940's. Beautiful and Unusual
1940s Vintage Perriwinkle Colorblock Gown
Located in Kingston, NY
This elegant 1940s evening gown exemplifies the quiet innovation of wartime and immediate postwar
1940s Haute Couture Blue Moiré Silk Halter-Neck Maxi Gown
Located in London, GB
This incredible couture made gown was designed in the 1940s but alas, the dress has lost its labels
1940S Red Rayon Blend Crepe Back Satin Classic Hollywood Gown
Located in New York, NY
1940S Red Rayon Blend Crepe Back Satin Classic Hollywood Gown
Rare 1948 Jacques Fath Beaded Chantilly Lace Dress Gown
By Jacques Fath
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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...
1940S Black & Gold Silk Satin Damask French Demi-Couture Gown
Located in New York, NY
. 1940S Black & Gold Silk Satin Damask French Demi-Couture Gown
1940s Lace Wedding Gown with Original Matching Bolero
Located in Kingston, NY
A romantic mid-century lace wedding gown dating to the late 1940s to early 1950s, complete with its
2pc Black Sequin Gown with Silk Slip Dress, Circa 1940
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a black sequin and silk 2pc gown, custom made from the 1940's. It has short sleeves, layers
1940S Nave Blue & White Cotton Voile Embroidered Gown With Sheer Jacket
Located in New York, NY
1940S Nave Blue & White Cotton Voile Embroidered Gown With Sheer Jacket
Gorgeous Late 1940s Strapless Sunburst Weave Silver Lame Gown w Full Skirt
Located in Gresham, OR
Gorgeous Late 1940s Strapless Sunburst Weave Silver Lame Gown w Full Skirt: A pristine, stunning
Vintage 1940's Ivory Crepe Silk & Rhinestone Evening Gown US 4 UK 8
Located in Nashville, TN
A beauty to behold. This original 1940's ivory crepe silk gown, embellished with silver glass claw
1940S Champagne Rayon & Silk Silver Lamé Jacquard Quilted Gown With Appliqué B
Located in New York, NY
1940S Champagne Rayon & Silk Silver Lamé Jacquard Quilted Gown With Appliqué Bodice
Vintage 40s Evening Dress Gown Black Taffeta Scalloped Lace Hem Irving Detroit
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Fabulous vintage evening dress or gown, likely made in the late 40s or early 50s. Made from black
$600Sale Price|20% Off
1940s Couture Old Hollywood Silky Black Jersey Shoulder drape Evening Gown
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early 1940s Custom made, old Hollywood silky black Jersey gown with shoulder drape. Couture
1940S Black Silk Rayon Blend Faille Asymmetrical Wrap Bodice Gown With Bows &
Located in New York, NY
1940S Black Silk Rayon Blend Faille Asymmetrical Wrap Bodice Gown With Bows & Shirring
1940'S Burgundy & Black Acetate Plaid Full Ballroom Skirt Gown With Victorian R
Located in New York, NY
1940'S Burgundy & Black Acetate Plaid Full Ballroom Skirt Gown With Victorian Revival Bustle
1940S OMAR KIAM Dove Grey Cotton Elaborately Embroidered Summer Gown With Shoul
Located in New York, NY
1940S OMAR KIAM Dove Grey Cotton Elaborately Embroidered Summer Gown With Shoulder & Waist Ties
1940S Black Net Strapless Gown With Green & Pink Striped Taffeta Bodice Shawl
Located in New York, NY
1940S Black Net Strapless Gown With Green & Pink Striped Taffeta Bodice Shawl
1940s New York Creation Mint & Black Striped Bodice Gown w Structured Shoulder
By New York Creation
Located in Gresham, OR
1940s New York Creation Mint Green Grosgrain & Black Velvet Striped Bodice Gown w Structured
COUTURE c.1940's Purple Gold Belted Sequin Embellished Evening Dress Gown
Located in Thiensville, WI
Vintage Couture c.1940's purple button front floor length evening gown. Extended shoulders. High v
1940S Black, White & Red Silk Organza Sheer Buffalo Check Gown Couture From Par
Located in New York, NY
Black, White & Red Silk Organza Sheer Buffalo Check Gown Couture From Paris
1940S NICHOLAS UNGAR Dusty Rose Rayon Blend Satin Plissé Stripe Gown With Train
By Nicholas Ungar
Located in New York, NY
1940S NICHOLAS UNGAR Dusty Rose Rayon Blend Satin Plissé Stripe Gown With Train
1940'S Black Silk & Rayon Chiffon Rare One Shoulder Gown With Asymmetrical Drap
Located in New York, NY
1940'S Black Silk & Rayon Chiffon Rare One Shoulder Gown With Asymmetrical Draped Floral Print
1940S Salmon Pink Rayon Crepe Gown With Micro Sequin Ostrich Plums In Gold
Located in New York, NY
1940S Salmon Pink Rayon Crepe Gown With Micro Sequin Ostrich Plums In Gold
1940s Demi Couture Navy Blue + Pale Pink Short Sleeve 40s Vintage Gown / Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 1940s demi couture navy blue and light pink short sleeve crepe gown! Features a
1940's Blue Hawaiian Print Rayon Hostess Gown
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Bold periwinkle blue, black and white rayon 1940's hostess gown printed with Hawaiian ethnographic
Vintage 1940s Red Crepe Silk Floral Beaded Evening Gown 1940s Dress US 6 UK 10
Located in Nashville, TN
This truly enchanting 1940's crepe silk gown, rendered in the most vibrant shade of vermilion red
1940S Red & Navy Silk Striped Organza Gown With Full Ballroom Swing Skirt Drape
Located in New York, NY
1940S Red & Navy Silk Striped Organza Gown With Full Ballroom Swing Skirt Draped Bodice
Ceil Chapman Long Pink Silk Floral Print Drape Waist Gown , Circa 1940's
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage multi-colored silk floral print gown by Ceil Chapman, from 1940s. The gown has a
1940s Peach Ruffle Necked Slip Style Evening Gown
Located in London, GB
A stunning soft peach silk gown in exceptional condition from the 1940s. The dress has thin straps
Vintage 1940's Coral Pink Sequin Embellished Gown Peplum Cut Cocktail US 6 UK 10
Located in Nashville, TN
embellished with black sequins and black bugle beads, this original 1940's gown is just the piece to add to
Burgundy silk chiffon draped evening dress Circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Burgundy silk chiffon draped evening dress. Zip closure on the middle back. Silk satin slip dress lining. SIZE: XXS
Rare 1940s Taffetas Silk Dress
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous 1940s peach pink silk dress featuring maxi length, fixed flounces on front bust & goes on back sleeves, bias cut with many tailoring details, maxi length. In good vintage c...
1940's 'Jewel' Colored Floral Silk Dress
Located in Sharon, CT
'Jewel Colored' print, silk crepe long -nearly floor length evening dress. V yoke in front. Dress appears to be custom hand sewn and pieced in 'couture' manner. Very slim bodice t...
Art Deco Sonia Delaunay Style Black Voided Velvet Evening Dress, Levine & Smith
Located in Sharon, CT
In the manner of Sonia Delaunay. e xciting voided Deco pattern throughout Velvet edging at the neckline and sleeve ends. Tied velvet belt with loops. Zipper in back and two pocket...
1940's Black Crepe Evening Dress with Gold Sequin Trim
Located in New Hope, PA
This sleek 1940's black crepe evening dress has a striking design worked in gold sequins from the right shoulder to the left hip. The diagonal lines terminate in a curve at the shoul...
1940s Haute Couture Purple Satin Chiffon Dress
Located in London, GB
Original late 1930s or early 1940s purple satin and chiffon gown with matching waist sash. This
A French Evening Dress in Artificial silk fibrane - Early 1940s
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1940 France Evening dress in pink purple and yellow gold artificial silk fibrane from the 1940s. Heavy and very fine fabric with an excellent "drop", slightly stretchy and elec...
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
A French Powder Pink Crepe Satin Ceremonial Dress Circa 1940
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1940 France A Collectible Long dress for evening or ceremony in Fibrane, a reversible matte and satin crepe in artificial fibre, in a subtle powder pink colour, dating from th...
1940's IRENE LENTZ black dress with blouson silk chiffon overlay
By Irene Lentz
Located in San Fransisco, CA
A stunning and hard-to-find piece from the late 1940's created by Irene Lentz. This black gown
Lilli Ann New 1940s Asymmetric Neckline Silk Dress
By Lilli Ann
Located in Water Mill, NY
A rare unworn 1940s dress in purple silk from Lilli Ann. It has an asymmetrical front neckline with a V in back, short sleeves and a straight skirt with a back kick pleat. The dres...
Vintage Early 1940's Crimson Red Satin Evening Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8
Located in Nashville, TN
This breathtaking early 1940's crimson satin dress, rendered in a full circle cut and tailored to perfection, is the perfect piece for that special occasion. The V shaped neckline...
1940's Cotton Lace and Satin Cocktail Suit
Located in New York, NY
Charming Cotton Lace and Silk Satin Cocktail Suit from the 1940's. Strong shouldered, fitted suit in silk satin with full gathered sleeves. Both bodice and skirt are overlaid in cott...
Black crêpe evening dress with rhinestone and sequin Halle Brothers Co 1940's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black crêpe evening dress with rhinestone and sequin embellishment on a see-through tulle base. Shoulder pad. Hook&eye closure on the middle front. Fabric Belt. Zip closure on the le...
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.
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.