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70s Maxi Dresses

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70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dress
70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dress

70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dress. flaws: some yellow spots on the sleeve

Category

1970s Italian Maxi Dresses

1960s/'70s Black and White Plaid Maxi Dress
1960s/'70s Black and White Plaid Maxi Dress

1960s/'70s Black and White Plaid Maxi Dress

Located in Alford, MA

Vintage maxi dress constructed of plaid taffeta in black and white and featuring a rolled

Category

Mid-20th Century American Maxi Dress

Evelyn Byrnes Vintage 1970s 70s Long Black Sequin Maxi Dress
Evelyn Byrnes Vintage 1970s 70s Long Black Sequin Maxi Dress

Evelyn Byrnes Vintage 1970s 70s Long Black Sequin Maxi Dress

By Evelyn Byrnes

Located in Sparks, NV

Vintage black sequin maxi dress by Evelyn Byrnes. Sheer sleeves with zip up cuffs. Details

Category

1970s American Maxi Dress

Givenchy Printed Plunging Maxi Dress
Givenchy Printed Plunging Maxi Dress

Givenchy Printed Plunging Maxi Dress

By Givenchy

Located in Geneva, CH

Wonderful 70's silhouette with this Givenchy maxi dress. Made of airy silk chiffon featuring a red

Category

1970s French Maxi Dresses

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70s Maxi Dresses For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of 70s maxi dresses for sale on 1stDibs. Our collection of 70s maxi dresses includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Brown, Red and more. There have been many classic iterations of 70s maxi dresses over the years, but those made by Joseph Magnin Co., Jay Morley and Giorgio di Sant' Angelo are often thought to be among the most stylish. There aren’t many items for unisex if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for men and women.

How Much are 70s Maxi Dresses?

Prices for 70s maxi dresses can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $225 and can go as high as $4,500, while these items, on average, fetch $795.

Finding the Right Evening Dresses And Gowns 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.

Questions About 70s Maxi Dresses
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, the maxi dress was very popular in the 1970s. This was a strange transitional era for women’s clothing as they left behind more modest clothing and embraced a risque approach to style. This meant that in the 1970s maxi dresses sat alongside miniskirts in the same closet. Shop a collection of 1970’s-inspired vintage clothing from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Yes, maxi dresses are flattering. The key to choosing one that complements your curves is to look for styles that work with your body shape. For an hourglass figure, a maxi dress with a plunging v-neck and/or a fitted waist is often a good choice. Strapless tops and full skirts can balance a pear-shaped figure, while embellishments like ruffles and ruching can enhance an athletic body type. If you have an apple-shaped body, look for maxi dresses with empire waists, belts or swingy skirts. Shop a large selection of maxi dresses on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    The best shoes to wear with a maxi dress is dependent on the occasion and design of the dress. Wearing flat shoes such as sandals are great for a casual outfit during the day. For evenings, heels could be substituted for elevating your look if a formal dinner or other event is in the plans.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, platform shoes are not from the ‘70s. Platform shoes have been around for centuries, with origins in Greek theater. Salvatore Ferragamo popularized the footwear again in the 1930s with his rainbow-soled design. Find vintage and contemporary platform shoes from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    In order to dress for a ‘70s party, it is important to dress in the styles of the day. Namely, opt for bell-bottom jeans, polyester tops, shirts and jackets with wide lapels, peasant tops and halter tops. Additionally, choose bright colors and patterns such as tie-dye.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    From crinkle boots to platform boots, there were many different styles of boot found in the 1970s. One of the most popular and famous styles from the time was the go-go boot which first rose to prominence in the 60s. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage boots from the 1970s from some of the world’s top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    The sunglasses that were popular in the 70s were those that were large and often square in shape. A popular 70s style was the aviator style. Many of the 70s style glasses were characterized by colored lenses and funky frames. Shop 1970s sunglasses and other vintage sunglasses on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    What the ’70s glasses were called depended on the shape of their frames. Sunglasses and eyeglasses that feature rounded frames with a double bridge are aviator glasses. The oversized women's sunglasses that feature curved, thick frames are butterfly sunglasses, while the angular looks worn by Elton John and other celebrities of the 1970s are square sunglasses. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of vintage sunglasses.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Many kinds of skirts were popular in the 1970s, including denim skirts, A-line skirts, and peasant skirts. Earth tones, pastels, and wildly colorful patterns were common styles of the 70s. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a wide collection of vintage 1970s skirts from some of the world’s top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    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.

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