1970s Adolfo Gold Lace Beaded Evening Tunic
By Adolfo
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Exquisite Adolfo gold lace beaded evening tunic from the 1970s. Beautifully detailed with gold sequin applique throughout and faux pearl, emerald marquis bead and gold thread trim al...
Adolfo Black and White Shirt Dress with Gold Buttons
By Adolfo
Located in Henrico, VA
This Adolfo dress is a black and white shirt dress that is made out of 100% silk.
Adolfo metallic gold maxi dress
By Adolfo
Located in New York, NY
This Adolfo gold lame skirt is from the 1970s. It has one side pocket and a side closure.
1980 Adolfo Gold Lace & Sequin Pouf Shoulder Cocktail Mini Dress Size 4
By Adolfo
Located in Gresham, OR
Early 1980s Adolfo sequined and beaded gold lace 3/4 sleeve mini dress with pouf shoulder.
Adolfo Gold LamÉ Blouse and Skirt Ensemble
By Adolfo
Located in New York, NY
Adolfo, evening, gold lamé skirt and blouse ensemble. Blouse has a grand;; Bertha flounced collar with an open neckline, having a generous center bow. Wrap skirt is of the same fabri...
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Size: Unmarked (Best Fits Size 6)
Adolfo Brown & Gold Sequin Three Piece Evening Dress Suit, 1960's
By Adolfo, Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue
Located in Atlanta, GA
1960's Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue three piece evening ensemble consisting of a jacket, shell top and maxi skirt all in shades of dark chocolate brown and gold. The open collar wool...
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Size: We estimate 6/8 See measurements
Vintage Adolfo Black Evening Dress Alternative Suit W/ Gold & Green Rhinestones
By Adolfo
Located in Portland, OR
We love this 1980's Adolfo skirt suit! The 2 piece evening suit is in a textural black knit fabric covered in rhinestones. The long jacket has gold and green rhinestone pattern aroun...
Vivienne Westwood Velvet Blouson Jacket
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful velvet Vivienne Westwood Jacket. Cut in a stunning velvet that seems to absorb and refract light like oil on water, the piece balances romance and rebellion with signature ...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...
Vintage Alexander McQueen Bat Wing Knit Top
By Alexander McQueen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Vintage Alexander McQueen Bat Wing Knit Top would be an exciting addition to any wardrobe, especially for someone who enjoys pieces that combine boldness, sophistication, and art...
S/S 2004 Atelier Versace by Donatella Metallic Green Halterneck Gown Custom
By Atelier Versace, Donatella Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Atelier Versace gown from the Spring/Summer 2004 collection, designed by Donatella Versace, is constructed in metallic green chiffon with a halterneck, heavily ruched torso, and...
Cruise 1999 Thierry Mugler Orange Coral Jacquard Corset Boned Bubble Dress
By Thierry Mugler
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare sample from Thierry Mugler's Cruise 1999 collection, this striking coral orange mini dress features a voluminous skirt, fitted top, and spaghetti straps. Covered in a monochro...
1960's Orange Silk Crepe Cocktail Dress with Open Back and Elaborate Beading
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1960's cocktail dress rendered in a bright peach silk crepe with lavish beaded embellishment on cuffs and hem. The streamlined inner shift features a boat neckline. The open back is...
$595
Size: Best fits S, see measurements
Adolfo 1970s Three Piece Red and Metallic Midi or Maxi Skirt and Tank Dress Set
By Adolfo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Three piece vintage Adolfo burgundy red and metallic floral brocade skirt(s) and top set, circa 1970s- 80s, ensures you're set for any occasion! Pair the the bodice with the long ski...
1960s Demi Couture Sheer Beaded Lace Mini Cocktail Dress with Chiffon Wrap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Exquisite anonymous 1960s cranberry and gold red lace demi couture cocktail dress featuring an exquisite floral lace design with hand beading and gold metallic thread embroidery. Unb...
1960s White and Green Beaded Mini Cocktail Dress
By British Crown Colony
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage 1960s Intricate White and Green beaded sequin floral pattern on white lace mini cocktail dress. Dress is lined in silk but sleeve in unlined. Size: best fit size 0/2 or 4 Bu...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2006 lilac black lace one shoulder bias gown dress IT40 S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2006 lilac black lace one shoulder bias gown dress IT40 S Reference: TGAS/D01019 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Lee Alexander McQueen Collection: 2006 Material:...
Vivienne Westwood Black Faux Fur Oversized Cropped Jacket, fw 1993
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Archival Vivienne Westwood Cropped Faux Fur Jacket ▪ Creative Director: Vivienne Westwood ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ▪ Crafted from black faux fur ▪ Designed in a cropped, oversized fit ▪ ...
Mazzuchelli Vintage Sartorial Hooded Dress w Beading
Located in Milano, IT
Particular vintage sartorial dress by Mazzuchelli from the 1980s, made in Italy. The dress is totally handmade in a light ivory cotton. It is believed that the dress may be a bridal ...
$12,384
Size: FR 36 - IT 40 - UK 8
Alexander McQueen red silk chiffon empire evening dress with train, fw 2008
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen red crinkled silk chiffon empire evening dress with long train, structured bust and draped skirt. Fall-Winter 2008
Tom Ford for Yves Saint SS 2002 Laurent Animal Printed Silk Chiffon Dress Set L
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche S/S 2002 Safari Collection Animal Printed Silk Dress ( consists of top and skirt ) Size tag missing, approx. size L 100% Silk Chi...
Chinoiserie Art Deco Lame Coat, Margaine Lacroix 1925
Located in New York, NY
A finely beaded, sequined and embroidered evening coat, attributed to Margaine Lacroix, mid 1920's Paris, in extraordinary condition. The muted silver lamé ground is covered with ...
Zuhair Murad Couture white silver gold beaded sequin mini wedding backless dress
By Zuhair Murad
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE An incredibly rare dress from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2006 This really is a work of art, a tasseled flapper style mini dress. The dress is sheer mesh and i...
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.