Designer Day Dress
1980s Casual Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
20th Century Day Dresses
1950s French Day Dresses
1980s British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
2010s Swiss Day Dresses
1970s French Day Dresses
1960s French Day Dresses
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
1970s Finnish Informal Dresses
2010s American Mini Dresses
2010s American Mini Dresses
1960s Italian Day Dresses
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
1990s American Chemise Dresses
1990s American Chemise Dresses
1990s French Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Casual Dresses
1990s French Day Dresses
1970s Informal Dresses
1970s Day Dresses
1960s Italian Shift Dresses
1950s American Casual Dresses
1970s American Day Dresses
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
1990s American Chemise Dresses
1970s American Maxi Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
1980s American Day Dresses
1960s American Day Dresses
1980s British Day Dresses
2010s Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
2010s Italian Day Dresses
1980s Hong Kong Day Dresses
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
1990s Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
1990s American Day Dresses
1980s Italian Day Dresses
1970s Casual Dresses
2010s Italian Day Dresses
2010s Day Dresses
1980s American Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary British Day Dresses
- 1
- ...
Designer Day Dress For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Designer Day Dress?
Finding the Right day-dresses for You
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.
- Who designed the Revenge dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Christina Stambolian designed the “revenge” dress, the dress that Princess Diana wore to a dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens in 1994. Stambolian had actually created the evening gown for the Princess of Wales three years before. It was a black off-the-shoulder piece made of silk. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of evening gowns from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024Norman Hartnell designed the Queen's coronation dress. The British designer actually produced eight different dresses for Queen Elizabeth II to consider. Ultimately, she opted for one made of white satin that featured intricate gold embroidery. Hartnell also created the dress the Queen wore when she married Prince Philip on November 20, 1947. On 1stDibs, find a range of Norman Hartnell apparel.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Narciso Rodriguez designed Carolyn Bessette's wedding dress. When he created the dress in 1995, the American designer was working for Cerutti. Bessette commissioned him to create her wedding gown because the two of them were friends. In 1997, Rodriguez launched his own eponymous fashion label. Explore a collection of Narciso Rodriguez apparel on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024William Travilla designed Marilyn Monroe's pink dress. The iconic strapless dress appeared in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. An accomplished costume designer, Travilla won an Academy Award for his work on the 1948 film The Adventures of Don Juan and was nominated for Oscars three more times across his career. Explore a variety of William Travilla apparel on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos designed Princess Eugenie's wedding dress. It featured a shoulder-hugging, plunging V-neckline and a long, full train. For the reception, the princess sported a champagne-colored embroidered silk dress created by Zac Posen. Shop a wide range of wedding dresses from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Elizabeth Hurley’s famed 1994 safety pin dress, which the actress wore to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, was designed by Versace. The dress was made with revealing slits in the sides that were held together with oversized gold safety pins. On 1stDibs, shop vintage and contemporary Versace pieces from top sellers worldwide.
Read More
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.