40s Day Dress
1940s Maxi Dresses
1940s Day Dresses
1940s Day Dresses
2010s Italian Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
1940s Cocktail Dresses
1970s French Day Dresses
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
1940s Casual Dresses
Mid-20th Century British Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
Early 2000s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
2010s Casual Dresses
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
1980s French Maxi Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
1970s Informal Dresses
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
1980s French Day Dresses
1970s French Day Dresses
1940s Casual Dresses
1970s Hong Kong Day Dresses
Early 2000s Day Dresses
Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses
1990s American Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
2010s French Day Dresses
1990s French Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
1960s American Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
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40s Day Dress For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 40s Day Dress?
Finding the Right day-dresses for You
Luxurious and versatile, designer day dresses are as well suited to tea at an upscale hotel as they are to your next garden or rooftop party.
Today’s featherlight unisex day dresses — as well as the vibrant vintage day dresses of the 1950s and ’60s — look quite different from the heavy, fabric-rich de rigueur garments of the Victorian era. In the late 19th century, a woman of a certain standing might have multiple dresses to wear throughout the day: specifically, one or two for the daytime and one for the evening. For example, a long-sleeve silk dress with a prominently flared back and a round collar of gold beaded lace that hugs the neck would be suitable for stepping out during the day, while a velvet gown trimmed in silk embroidery but overall comparatively informal in appearance would be worn for afternoon tea at home. At night, a silk velvet evening dress could feature natural world motifs such as butterflies (a characteristic of Art Nouveau design) and have short sleeves adorned with lace and ruffles and a scooped neckline — the perfect attire for the theater.
During the 1920s, after all the chores were done, a woman would change from her housework clothing into a more fashionable day dress to run her errands or socialize. Some 1920s day dresses were brightly colored and featured bold patterns — a cotton dress with a dazzling floral print, perhaps, or, in the case of the more venturesome Art Deco apparel sold in high-end couture fashion boutiques of the era, semi-sheer silk garments embellished with three-dimensional beadwork or rich metallic gold lamé.
Today, a closet full of casual vintage day dresses is a must-have. Whether you opt for black, crimson or beige, day dresses bring an element of glamour to your next appointment, and in the summer, who doesn’t love a wonderfully simple, lightweight day dress cut in cotton and linen?
Because different fashion designers of every decade have offered their own take on the widely loved day dress, you’ll be able to find a variety of vintage and designer day dresses on 1stDibs. Search by creator to find enduring designs by the likes of Emilio Pucci, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, or browse by period to uncover a scintillating collection of cotton and satin patterned dresses of the 1950s and ’60s.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023One 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024There 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023In 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.
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