What is the difference between a dress and a cocktail dress?

The difference between a dress and a cocktail dress is mainly the specificity of the term. A dress is any garment that has a bodice attached to a skirt. The term cocktail dress refers to a dress designed for events in the late afternoon and early evening. Many feature hemlines that fall between the knee and calf. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of cocktail dresses from some of the world's top boutiques.

What is a classic cocktail dress?

A classic cocktail dress is a garment worn for special occasions that usually take place in the evening. Although its name comes from "cocktail party," the dresses are suitable for other types of gatherings. Designs vary greatly, but most cocktail dresses feature a hemline that falls close to the knee. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of vintage cocktail dresses.

What is considered a cocktail dress?

Cocktail dresses usually finish above or at the knees and are paired with high heels. This dress should be party-ready such as dressy separates or a little black dress.

How do you identify a cocktail dress?

To identify a cocktail dress, first look at the hemline. Typically, hemlines for cocktail dresses fall to the mid-thigh or above. Materials and embellishments can also indicate a cocktail dress. For example, fine fibers like silk, chiffon and velvet are commonly used for cocktail dresses, and many pieces feature decorative accents, such as sequins and rhinestones. Keep in mind that there are no real hard and fast rules for what classifies as a cocktail dress. The term generally refers to any dress slightly more casual than a formal full-length gown but still suitable for nighttime wear. Explore a large selection of cocktail dresses on 1stDibs.

What year were cocktail dresses popular?

Cocktail dresses first rose to prominence in the 1920s and onward, with each era making its own mark on the practical and fashionable garment. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary cocktail dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Cocktail Dress Bustier

Red Bustier

Dolce Gabbana Dress Size 38

Purple Cocktail Dresses

Dior Black Evening Dress

Vintage Victor Costa

Sequin Bustier

Vintage Bustier

Dolce And Gabbana Corset Dress

$615

Pink terry cloth bustier cocktail dress MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC

By Moschino Cheap and Chic

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Pink terry cloth bustier cocktail dress . Main fabric composition: 70% cotton, 15% rayon, 12% nylon, 3% other fiber.

Category

2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses

Escada sequins bustier cocktail dress

$740

Escada sequins bustier cocktail dress

By Escada

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Sequins bustier cocktail's bustier dress, flowers pattern pastels, black & white / chiffon base

Category

1990s Unknown Cocktail Dresses

$410

Bustier dress with cutwork Rinascimento

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Bustier dress with cutwork. Zip in the middle back. Adjustable shoulder straps. No fabric composition tag but probably polyester jersey. SIZE S

Category

Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses

Silk kaki cocktail bustier ballon dress ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

$1,641

$4,800

Size: 6

John Galliano for Christian Dior Ethereal One Shoulder Silk Dress

By John Galliano, Christian Dior

Located in Water Mill, NY

A beautiful ethereal one shoulder dress from Christian Dior comprised of layers of semi sheer black silk over an opaque silk under dress. It has one shoulder with 2 panels of softly...

Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

New Emilio Pucci Runway Pumps Heels Wedges Sz 37

$689Sale Price|23% Off

Size: 37

New Emilio Pucci Runway Pumps Heels Wedges Sz 37

By Emilio Pucci

Located in Conroe, TX

Brand New Emilio Pucci Gorgeous Blue Suede Wedge Heels Size: 37 Suede Adjustable Ankle Strap Pucci Painted Cork Heel Heels: 5" Platforms: 1" New With Dust Cover

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes

$350

Size: Small

1940s Vintage Black Velvet Cocktail Dress with Collar + 3/4 Cropped Sleeves

Located in Sparks, NV

Flattering vintage 1940s cocktail dress in black velvet with a draped collar and 3/4 length sleeves. Unlined with side metal zip closure. Fits like a modern size small. The bust meas...

Category

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

5.03 Carat Royal Blue Sapphire Cushion Three Stone Platinum Engagement Ring

$36,900

5.03 Carat Royal Blue Sapphire Cushion Three Stone Platinum Engagement Ring

By Merkaba

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

A G.I.A certified 5.03 carat royal blue sapphire cushion cut platinum three stone ring, handcrafted by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills as a refined collector jewel and meaningful alter...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Cocktail Dress Bustier", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Cocktail Dress Bustier For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the vintage or contemporary cocktail dress bustier you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Gray, Beige and more. Finding the perfect cocktail dress bustier may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions were made as early as the 20th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 21st Century, can also be found on the site. There have been many well-made iterations of this accessory over the years, but those made by Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen and Roberto Cavalli are often thought to be among the most stylish. If you’re browsing our inventory for these accessories, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men and unisex.

How Much is a Cocktail Dress Bustier?

The price for a cocktail dress bustier starts at $280 and tops out at $86,000, and on average, selling for $1,252.

Finding the Right Evening-dresses 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 Cocktail Dress Bustier

What is the difference between a dress and a cocktail dress?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
The difference between a dress and a cocktail dress is mainly the specificity of the term. A dress is any garment that has a bodice attached to a skirt. The term cocktail dress refers to a dress designed for events in the late afternoon and early evening. Many feature hemlines that fall between the knee and calf. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of cocktail dresses from some of the world's top boutiques.
What is a classic cocktail dress?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A classic cocktail dress is a garment worn for special occasions that usually take place in the evening. Although its name comes from "cocktail party," the dresses are suitable for other types of gatherings. Designs vary greatly, but most cocktail dresses feature a hemline that falls close to the knee. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of vintage cocktail dresses.
What is considered a cocktail dress?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Cocktail dresses usually finish above or at the knees and are paired with high heels. This dress should be party-ready such as dressy separates or a little black dress.
How do you identify a cocktail dress?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify a cocktail dress, first look at the hemline. Typically, hemlines for cocktail dresses fall to the mid-thigh or above. Materials and embellishments can also indicate a cocktail dress. For example, fine fibers like silk, chiffon and velvet are commonly used for cocktail dresses, and many pieces feature decorative accents, such as sequins and rhinestones. Keep in mind that there are no real hard and fast rules for what classifies as a cocktail dress. The term generally refers to any dress slightly more casual than a formal full-length gown but still suitable for nighttime wear. Explore a large selection of cocktail dresses on 1stDibs.
What year were cocktail dresses popular?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Cocktail dresses first rose to prominence in the 1920s and onward, with each era making its own mark on the practical and fashionable garment. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary cocktail dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.

Barbra Streisand Channeled Klimt’s ‘Woman in Gold’ in This Shimmering Dress

Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.

A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet

From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.

Behind the 1970s and ’80s Glam of ‘Halston’ with the Hit Show’s Costume Designer

Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)

A Short History of Capri Pants, on the 100th Birthday of Their Inventor

Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.

How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear

The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.

A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story

Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.

You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About

This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.

The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior

Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.