1950s Ceil Chapman Floral Silk Gown with Back Cape
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Dramatic and bright, this incredible Ceil Chapman evening dress from the 1950s has it all: drama, draping, Hi-low hemline, flattering capped sleeve, fitted shape with appliqué bow, c...
Incredible 1950s French Lace Bombshell Chantilly Lace Wiggle Dress + Cape
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 1950s Demi Couture French Lace dress and caplet! Wonderful beige/nude/brown color lace, with matching caplet. Impeccable construction, with the majority of the workma...
1950s 'Old Hollywood' Custom Couture Black & Orange Silk Hourglass Gown w/ Cape
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An important and truly breathtaking one-of-a-kind gown ensemble custom made for Yma Sumac, dating back to the mid 1950's.
1950S NINA RICCI Ivory Silk & Brown Velvet Gown With Evening Cape
By Nina Ricci
Located in New York, NY
1950S NINA RICCI Ivory Silk & Brown Velvet Gown With Evening Cape
1950s Worth British Haute Couture Gold Lamé Cocktail Dress with Cape
By Charles Worth, Worth
Located in London, GB
This fabulous 1950s gold lamé cocktail dress is haute couture by the celebrated design house Worth, is of exceptional quality with incredible hand sewn construction. The textured met...
Late 1950s Capucci Haute Couture Purple Silk Cocktail Dress with Dramatic Cape
By Roberto Capucci
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Roberto Capucci deep purple silk cocktail dress from the late 1950s. The short hemline is countered by a long and flowing cape attachment from the shoulders that billows behind when ...
1950s Norman Norell Color Block Dress and Cape Set
By Traina-Norell, Norman Norell
Located in Water Mill, NY
This is an incredible set in fine black and red wool from master Norman Norell. The black sleeveless dress is semi fitted with princess seaming and has a front and back yoke. It is...
Vintage 1950's Beaded Dragon Motif Documented Hourglass Burlesque Gown Cape Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A truly unique and ultra seductive documented custom couture burlesque stage gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's. This captivating showstopper even comes with an image of the...
1950's Frank Starr Sequin Indigo Blue-Purple Silk Full Party Dress & Cape
By Frank Starr
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Breathtaking 1950's party dress & cape ensemble by the highly adored label "Frank Starr". Ruth Goude was the leading designer for the brand and an innovator of the "New Look" that ga...
1950s Douglas Curry Caped Back Dress
Located in Rockwood, ON
Truly beautiful and exceptional piece designed by Douglas Curry and labeled as a Douglas Curry Original. This is the second dress I have had by Curry and both have been exceptionally...
1950s Silk Chiffon Beaded Cape Dress
Located in Yucca Valley, CA
Beautiful 1960s seafoam blue silk cocktail dress. Grecian-style gathered bust with beaded floral details. Draped scarf back. MEASUREMENTS Bust: 33" Waist: 26" Hips: 35" Total ...
1950s Vibrant Floral Cocktail Babydoll Dress with Attached Cape
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely 1950s babydoll cocktail dress done in a gorgeous purple and green floral silk taffeta, accented by an attached cape in the back. Please note this dress is quite petite; please...
Sold
L 39 in
1950's Vintage White w/Black Floral Print & Sheer Overlay & Cape Sleeveless Cocktail Dress
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This vintage 1950's cocktail dress is presented in white with a black floral print with a sheer black overlay and sheer black attached cape. It has a zipper and eye hook closure up ...
1983 AZZEDINE ALAIA suede wrap RUNWAY top
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Extremely rare Azzedine Alaïa wrap top from the Fall/Winter 1983 runway collection. Designed in a rich salmon-red, persimmon-toned suede, the piece highlights Alaïa’s sculptural appr...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Tartan Layered Blazer
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Tartan Layered Blazer Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn / Winter 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Design...
Christian Dior dress Haute Couture 1969
By Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - (Made in France) Teal veil evening dress with golden lamé buta decoration, wide flounces with a tulle lining on the bottom. Golden lamé slipdress. No size indicated, it fits a...
$790Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 6
Bill Blass Pink White Polka Dot Hand Painted Fit and Flare Vintage Dress, 1990
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 90s BILL BLASS pale pink and white hand painted polka dot fit n' flare cocktail silk taffeta dress! Features large handpainted polka dots throughout. Attached white lace underla...
SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Cubist Flapper Couture Dress
By SADIE NEMSER
Located in Thiensville, WI
SADIE NEMSER c.1920’s Art Deco Silk Beaded Embroidered Cubist Flapper Couture Dress Circa: 1920’s Label(s): Nemser Original Model Style: Drop waist dress Color(s): Shades of navy ...
Mermaid Romantic Gothic 1930s Gown and Broiderie Anglaise Jacket
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk 1930's gown with incredible seaming and lines plus a white broiderie anglaise bolero jacket. The dress skims the body with a front V neckline, sides gathered on...
Brocade and black satin evening coat Circa 1925
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Brocade and black satin evening coat. Small black satin roses embellishment. Silk taffetas lining. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
1960s Sarmi Purple & Orange Ball Gown
By Sarmi
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Eye dazzling iridescent taffeta jewel tone Sarmi ball gown from 1960's. Unusual combination of color with classic silhouette was signature look for Sarmi. Strapless bodice fully bone...
1920s art deco Black lace dress with blue velvet strap
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful Art deco 1920s black lace dress with metallic silk brocade inset and blue velvet strap. Perfect for Downtown abbey costume party .no zipper. Slip on dress. Bust: 34"/ Wais...
Vintage Bill Blass 1990s Size 6 Lipstick Red One Shoulder 90s Silk Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 90s BILL BLASS for Saks 5th Avenue lipstick red one shoulder silk dress! Features a flattering fit with a spaghetti strap on the left shoulder and a cap sleeve on the...
Roberta Bernays Original 1930's Straw Hat
Located in Sharon, CT
16" diameter straw hat. Band has a beige Grosgrain Ribbon. Small hair comb and chin strap.
$1,695
Size: 6-8 US 2-4
Vintage 1930's Coral Lace & Lamé Evening Gown and mantle ensemble UK 6-8 US 2-4
Located in Nashville, TN
Rendered in the most sumptuous shade of coral, this original 1930's geometric lace dress and matching mantle, accented by gunmetal silver lamé threads, is a rare set to behold. The...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN white RIBBED & OPEN KNIT PEPLUM Dress S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
Alexander McQueen ribbed and open knit peplum dress in cream polyamide (43%), cotton (37%), viscose (11%), nylon (5%) and polyester (4%). Has short sleeves and a solid knit skirt. Ha...
Gianni Versace Couture 90s Metallic Mesh Silver Top It. 38
By Gianni Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Gianni Versace Couture Iconic from 90's Metallic Mesh Italian size 38 Silver-tone Metallic Mesh This top has a matching draping metal scarf that is permanently attached around the ne...
LORO PIANA cream MIA PANAMA STRAW Hat L
By Loro Piana
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Loro Piana Mia Panama hat is crafted from cream straw and features a tonal grosgrain band for a refined look. It is accented with a silver-tone logo-engraved eyel...
1980s Christian Dior Black Fine Wool Tuxedo Dress
By Christian Dior
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980s black fine wool Christian Dior cocktail dress. The dress looks like a double breasted tuxedo jacket and pencil skirt ensemble from the front, and a dress from the back. Deep cu...
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.