Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Cruise 2004 White Cotton Sleeveless Midi Dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Milano, IT
- Designed by Karl Lagerfield - Cruise 2004 Collection - Midi Dress - Sleeveless - V-Neck - Zipper Closure on the back - Made in France - Excellent Condition - Size: 40 FR - 44 IT - ...
$2,390Sale Price|28% Off
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld S/S 1995 Midi Black Sleeveless Dress with Button
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Milano, IT
- Sold by SkofArchive - Designed by Karl Lagerfield - Spring-Summer 1995 - Midi Black Sleeveless Dress - Button up closure - Black Buttons with Gold "CC" Logo - Two Pockets on the f...
Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Pleated Ballerina Dress, Spring-Summer 2000
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Geneva, CH
This SS2000 Chanel pleated midi dress is cut from swathes of silk chiffon and features a quilted bodice. Iconic Coco Chanel portrait print. Fully lined in silk, this dress fastens wi...
C. 1995 Chanel Ballerina Sheer Black Mesh Bustier Dress w/ Tulle & Bows
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Yukon, OK
DESIGNER: Circa 1995 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld- has a boutique label but it is a couture handmade piece as you can see from the photo of the inner bodice. The center of the bustier al...
F/W 1989 Ralph Lauren Naomi Campbell Black Bias Cut Silk Sleeveless Dress 8
By Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Ralph Lauren’s Fall/Winter 1989 collection, this black silk dress features a bias-cut silhouette that drapes elegantly over the body. The sleeveless design and high neckline cre...
$12,419
Size: FR40 - UK12 - US6/8
John Galliano Pink Bias-Cut Satin Evening Dress with Rhinestone Straps, SS 2002
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano, Spring-Summer 2002. Bias-cut evening dress in rose-toned crepe-back satin. The fitted bodice features a draped cowl neckline, with rhinestone-embellished straps. The g...
Calvin Klein Collection by Calvin Vintage 1990s Tailored Pinstriped Suit
By Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Collection
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Calvin Klein collection by Calvin Klein vintage 1990's tailored pin stripe suit Calvin Klein defined the look of American minimalism in the 1990s, sleek, understated, and effortlessl...
Alexander McQueen F/W 2004 Beige Metallic Tweed Tie Neck Blazer & Skirt 2pc Suit
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Chicago, IL
Alexander McQueen F/W 2004 "Pantheon As Lecum" tweed skirt suit. As seen on the runway; look #3. Beige with copper and navy metallic basket weave wool blend fabric. Beautiful asymmet...
F/W 1998 Givenchy by Alexander McQueen Runway Black Lace Blue Stretch Gown FR40
By Givenchy, Alexander McQueen
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Alexander McQueen's Fall/Winter 1998 "Blade Runner" collection for Givenchy, this sheer black lace gown features striking a blue underlay. Inspired by the retro-futuristic costu...
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
Size: XS / Small
XS Beautiful 1950s White Tulle Demi Couture Strapless Vintage 50s Tiered Gown
Located in San Diego, CA
Absolutley breathtaking 1950s demi couture white strapless tulle gown, or wedding dress ! Features yards and yards of white tulle layered throughout the skirt. The tulle on the bust ...
$2,447Sale Price|50% Off
Size: 42 / US 8
Chanel Fall 1994 Size 42 8 Lagerfeld Vintage Olive Military Green Skirt Suit
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Chanel Fall 1994 army/military green lightweight wool skirt suit ! Designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Features a tailored jacket with buttons one large button with CC logo at center...
VALENTINO Lilac Feather-Trimmed Silk-Cady Wide-Leg Jumpsuit
By Valentino
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Step into luxury with this unforgettable Valentino jumpsuit in “Cherry Blossom” lilac silk-cady. Voluminous ostrich feather cuffs, a sleek fitted bodice, and a floor-sweeping wide-le...
$1,600Sale Price|50% Off
Size: S - L
1984 Jean Paul Gaultier Yellow Plaid "Clueless" Crop Top and Maxi Skirt
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Austin, TX
1984 Jean Paul Gaultier Yellow Plaid "Clueless" Crop Top & Maxi Skirt Wrap Top and Wrap skirt CONDITION: Very good Made in Italy TOP: Chest: 36-48", Waist: 22"+, Length: 14" SK...
$2,995Sale Price|32% Off
Size: FR40
$4450 New Yves Saint Laurent YSL Pre-Fall 2009 Heavy Wool & Mink Coat Sz FR40
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2009 Brand New Without Tags $4450 Black Wool Mid/Long Coat FR40 Mink Collar, Mink Trim on Pockets & Mink Trimmed Belted Tie Two Front Large Pockets Butt...
Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld Iconic Lace Inserted Crepe Gown
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chloe, Chloé
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld Lace Inserted Silk Crepe Gown from the 1970's. Made in the period when Lagerfeld helmed the direction of Chloe with his weightless body conscious layer...
1996 Dolce & Gabbana Leopard Print Cheetah pattern Velvet Pin Up Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheffield, GB
Sublime 1996 Dolce & Gabbana structured velvet mini dress in an elegant cheetah 'animal' print fabric. The silhouette is timeless featuring a simple shoulder strap, slim cut at t...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Green Knit and Satin Evening Ensemble, SS 1999
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
A two-piece ensemble from Christian Dior by John Galliano, Spring-Summer 1999, consisting of a fitted cable-knit sweater and a coordinating column skirt in a muted seafoam green hue....
John Galliano Black Knit Dress with Floral Chiffon Ruffles and Scarf, FW 2004
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
This John Galliano dress and matching scarf from the Fall-Winter 2003 collection are crafted from a black wool/viscose blend with intricate knit patterns, interwoven with tonal black...
Chloe 1995s Top FR40 Green silk pleated Shirt Blouse UK12 US10 Lagerfeld Chloé
By Chloé, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in PARIS, FR
Chloé top circa 1995 (by Karl Lagerfeld) green silk satin blouse with colorful geometric pattern, pleated on the front, back and all the sleeves, shirt collar closed by 4 buttons, lo...
1970s Jon Adam Cotton Novelty Print Halter Neck Dress
Located in London, GB
Original 1970s cotton midi dress by British boutique label Jon Adam. The dress has a very desirable novelty scenic print showcasing a Japanese woman picking fruit from a tree surroun...
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.