ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tag
By Alberto
Located in Genève, CH
This vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode
ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tag
By Alberto
Located in Genève, CH
This vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode
Sexy 1990s Vintage Emilio Pucci Bright Orange Silk Jersey Side Print Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy 1990s Emilio Pucci silk jersey dress in a vibrant bright orange hue! Wonderful signature print on the side, and around front collar. Extremely slimming. Looks great alone, or wi...
Gucci Alligator and Leather Boots Rare Fall Winter 2005 Sz 8
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Worn Twice Uppers are Perfect 2005 Runway Show * Gucci * U.S. Size: 8 * Soft Brown Leather * Alligator Uppers * Gold Buckle * 4.25" Heel * Gold Leather Lining * With Gucci Boot Dust ...
1990s Michael Casey Silk Ombre Botanical-Patterned Strapless Gown W/ Train
By Michael Casey
Located in Gresham, OR
A lovely 1990s Michael Casey silk ombre botanical-patterned silk chiffon strapless gown with ruching and gathering at bodice. Asymmetrical delicate bronze toned bamboo leaf beaded g...
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...
Alaia Leopard Print Knit Pencil Skirt, Fall-Winter 1991-1992
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Geneva, CH
Timeless and endlessly versatile is the leopard print. Even more when this leopard print is iconic ! From one of the most recognizable and famous Alaïa collection, this Fall-Winter 1...
$500
Size: vintage 12; comparable to size M
Dove Gray A-Line Shift Dress with Bead-Crusted Neckline and Pockets - M, 1960s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Perfect for brunch, weddings and cocktail parties, this heavyweight linen dress combines crisp geometry with masterful but discrete beading. Its Mod fingertip pockets and gentle A-li...
UNWORN Rare Gucci by Tom Ford SS 1996 Black Lace Mini Dress Gown 38
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
Stunning Gucci by Tom Ford lace dress From his SS 1996 collection for Gucci Finest black lace Fully lined with nude silk Made in Italy Dry Clean Only Size 38 Seen in the AD campaig...
Louis Estevez Silk Bodycon Backless Dress 1950s
By Louis Estevez
Located in Water Mill, NY
A stunning black silk dress from Estevez. The neckline has 2 fringe edged overlapping panels at the center front and the back is low cut. Intricate seaming creates a clever figure ...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Maxi Skirt
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk long skirt with yellow, green and white abstract shapes including glowers and leaves on a brown background from John Galliano for Christian Dior. It is semi fitted t...
$1,250
Size: Small / Small Medium
1970s Coral Pink Silk Chiffon Halter Sheer Caplet Vintage 70s Maxi Dress Gown
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1970s coral pink halter maxi dress / gown with attached sheer caplet! Features a halter neck with two spaghetti straps in the back to offer additional support. Self tied sa...
Dolce & Gabbana c.1996 Vintage Corset Lace-Up Bandage Semi Sheer Black Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Naples, FL
Dolce & Gabbana c.1996 Vintage Corset Lace-Up Bandage Semi Sheer Black Dress Dolce & Gabbana semi sheer black dress featuring corset interior boning throughout, scalloped trim, lace...
Jean Paul Gaultier 1980s Cage Jacket
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous brown cotton denim jacket from Jean Paul Gaultier's Junior Gaultier line. It is a take on the jean jacket with the expected long sleeves, collar, yoke and copper metal sn...
GIANNI VERSACE S/S 1997 Runway Vintage Satin Lace Embroidered Gown
By Gianni Versace
Located in Naples, FL
GIANNI VERSACE S/S 1997 Runway Vintage Satin Embroidered Dress Gown IT 42 Gianni Versace sleeveless satin maxi dress with V-neck, embroidery at top, slit at hem, scalloped trimming ...
Jean Paul Gaultier Collector Boxing Corset Belt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER collector boxing corset belt. This belt features : - Dark navy blue canvas panels embellished with black patent PVC details. - Black laces on front. - Silver tone...
Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Vintage Black Denim Iconic Corset Style Jacket Size 48
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior vintage black denim iconic corset style jacket. This jacket features : - Distressed black denim. - Classic collar. - Front button down fastening. - Front l...
John Galliano Brown Snakeskin Print Maxi Dress with Asymmetric Neckline, SS 2000
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: John Galliano ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Collection: Spring-Summer 2000 ▪ Fabric: Brown snakeskin print knit jersey of 84% Viscose and 16% Polyester ▪ Details: Asy...
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.