See By Chloe Women's Smoky Pink Vintage Inspired Dress, Size FR34/UK6
By See By Chloe
Located in London, GB
Absolutely dreamy, super feminine See By Chloe vintage inspired dress - bought for £650 and unworn. Made from super soft Smoky Pink viscose crepe with soft viscose slip lining. So be...
$948Sale Price|25% Off
Size: Medium
1960s Guy Laroche Couture Lipstick Red Virgin Wool A Line Vintage 60s Mini Dress
By Guy Laroche
Located in San Diego, CA
1960s GUY LAROCHE Couture lipstick red virgin wool A-Line mini dress! The perfect alternative to a little black dress, this red gem is sure to stand out! Hand made, with the utmost a...
$438
Size: Recommended size U.K. 8-12
2010 Alexander McQueen White Ruffled Victorian Baby Doll Dress Smock shirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Sheffield, GB
2010 Alexander McQueen Victorian style blouse featuring ruffled collar line, buttons down the front and long sleeves. Size label ; EU 40 / Recommended size U.K. 8-12 Measurements ar...
$2,495
Size: 44 / US 10 - 12
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Sz 44 Black Corset / Bustier Dress YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Drop dead gorgeous vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Rive Gauche' YSL black dress! Quite possibly the most flattering dress I have ever seen! This rare beauty does wonders for the body! Co...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Backless Violet Silk Charmeuse Gown
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning Alexander McQueen Purple violet silk charmeuse gown with interesting sleeves and exposed bare back. Slightly cowl neck. strap can be removed. Dress zip from the side. Size M...
UNWORN Christian Dior by John Galliano Hourglass Silk Evening Gown Maxi Dress 42
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Switzerland, CH
An extremely luxurious and CHRISTIAN DIOR signature piece that will last you for years Gorgeous, couture-like piece hand-crafted by the seamstresses in Christian Dior's atelier in Pa...
$1,267Sale Price|35% Off
Size: 38.5
New Vintage Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL Collectible Heels Sz 38.5
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent Heels Brand New Size: 38.5 * Tom Ford Era Final Collection Heels This Collection was Featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art * Metallic Covered Heel * Double...
Giorgio di Sant Angelo Colorful Cotton Voile 70s Couture Maxi Dress Gown
By Giorgio di Sant' Angelo
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous and rare early 1970s GIORGIO DI 'SANT ANGELO boho halter maxi dress! Features colorful floral prints throughout. Layers and layer of soft cotton voile provide great movement...
1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Semi-Sheer Black Extra Long Gown Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Baar, CH
Rare 1997 Tom Ford for Gucci dress with original gold-tone "Illusion" hook belt, crafted from thick, body-molding jersey. - From the 1997 Cruise collection. - Comes with original ...
$1,995Sale Price|48% Off
New Fendi Bronze Metallic Chef Baguette Fully Lined in Shearling Bag
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
Fendi Shearling Chef Baguette Brand New * Shearling Wool Lined & Shearling Accents * Foil Leather (Finished with a Film of Metal) * Fendi Gold Hardware * Detachable Fendi Dangle Char...
$1,265Sale Price|24% Off
Size: Medium
Sensational 1950s Demi Couture Crimson Red Crushed Velvet Vintage Mermaid Gown
Located in San Diego, CA
Sensational 50s demi couture crimson red crushed velvet full length mermaid evening dress! Features luxurious crushed silk velvet, with a form fitting bodice and skirt. Dramatic flar...
Vintage 1970s Christian Dior Knitted Bolero Shrug Bed Jacket UK 8-10 US 4-6
By Christian Dior
Located in Nashville, TN
A romance in the softest shade of baby pink, this original 1970's knitted acrylic bed jacket by Christian Dior, is the perfect piece to keep the chill away. The rounded neckline is...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Oblique Printed Chiffon Dress. F/W 2000-2001
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Incredible John Galliano for Christian Dior Oblique printed chiffon dress Fall/ Winter 2000 - 2001. Of an asymmetric bias cut with deep ruffles and flounces. Printed in burgundy on...
$1,195Sale Price|35% Off
Size: 8.5
New Tom Ford for Gucci Satin Runway Sarah Jessica Parker Heels Pumps Sz 8.5
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford For Gucci Heels Brand New As Seen on Sarah Jessica Parker * Stunning in Silver Satin * Size: 8.5 * Black Satin Bow at Front * Leather Insole * Zips up the Back * 4" Heel ...
Alexander McQueen F/W 2006 Lace Up Brown Leather Boots
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Alexander McQueen - Lace Up Brown Leather Boots. - Fall Winter 2006 - Bondage Details Materials: Leather - Made in Italy - Good condition, just some little sign of use ...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Tartan Layered Blazer
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Tartan Layered Blazer Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn / Winter 2006 “The Widows of Culloden” Design...
$1,250Sale Price|24% Off
Size: 6-8 Medium
1960s yellow silk gown with red and silver sequin vintage embroidered gown
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage 1960s profils du monde Yellow silk chiffon gown adorned with red , silver sequins and pearls. Timeless and chic old hollywood glamour style. Fit modern size 6 /8 Measurement...
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.