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Empire Evening Gowns

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1960s Geoffrey Beene Black Empire Waist Gown
1960s Geoffrey Beene Black Empire Waist Gown

1960s Geoffrey Beene Black Empire Waist Gown

By Geoffrey Beene

Located in Toronto, Ontario

This Geoffrey Been black gown from the 1960's is feminine and demure with its empire waist and

Category

1960s American Empire Waist Dresses

Ceil Chapman Stunning Ivory Brocade Jeweled Empire Gown c 1960
Ceil Chapman Stunning Ivory Brocade Jeweled Empire Gown c 1960

Ceil Chapman Stunning Ivory Brocade Jeweled Empire Gown c 1960

By Ceil Chapman

Located in University City, MO

Ceil Chapman Stunning ivory brocade jeweled empire gown c 1960s The exquisite brocade gown is

Category

1960s American Empire Waist Dresses

1970's Anonymous Simple Black Gown
1970's Anonymous Simple Black Gown

1970's Anonymous Simple Black Gown

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Anonymous black silk empire waist sleeveless gown from the 1970's. The simple dress has a unique

Category

1970s Unknown Empire Waist Dresses

Bill Blass Mocha Chiffon Pleated Gown w/ Belt
Bill Blass Mocha Chiffon Pleated Gown w/ Belt

Bill Blass Mocha Chiffon Pleated Gown w/ Belt

By Bill Blass

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Bill Blass (label missing) 1970's pleated mocha chiffon evening gown. The gown has spaghetti straps

Category

1970s American Empire Waist Dresses

Vintage Loris Azzaro Periwinkle Blue Chain Sleeve Gown
Vintage Loris Azzaro Periwinkle Blue Chain Sleeve Gown

Vintage Loris Azzaro Periwinkle Blue Chain Sleeve Gown

By Loris Azzaro

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Loris Azzaro periwinkle blue maxi gown featuring a v-neckline adorned with purple and

Category

1970s French Empire Waist Dresses

1970's Guy Laroche Haute Couture Cream Silk Beaded Gown
1970's Guy Laroche Haute Couture Cream Silk Beaded Gown

1970's Guy Laroche Haute Couture Cream Silk Beaded Gown

By Guy Laroche

Located in Toronto, Ontario

Amazing 1970's Guy Laroche couture cream silk gown. High neckline, billowing sleeves and empire

Category

1970s French Empire Waist Dresses

1960s Couture Purple Sequin and Beaded Empire Line Dress
1960s Couture Purple Sequin and Beaded Empire Line Dress

1960s Couture Purple Sequin and Beaded Empire Line Dress

Located in London, GB

satin in a darker, deeper purple tone. The chiffon falls from below the gathered bust in an empire-line

Category

1960s American Empire Waist Dresses

Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970s
Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970s

Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970s

By Malcolm Starr

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown - 8- Circa 70's This Elinor Simmons for

Category

1970s American Empire Waist Dresses

Rare Teal Traina Printed Silk Gauze Summer Evening Dress
Rare Teal Traina Printed Silk Gauze Summer Evening Dress

Rare Teal Traina Printed Silk Gauze Summer Evening Dress

By Teal Traina

Located in New York, NY

Teal Traina Anglo Indian inspired silk gauze print dress in magenta, yellow, lavender on white ground. Hidden front zip closure with self button and gilt chain detail. Raised waist w...

Category

1970s American Empire Waist Dresses

Printed evening dress with fringes scarf Gai Mattiolo Love to Love
Printed evening dress with fringes scarf Gai Mattiolo Love to Love

Printed evening dress with fringes scarf Gai Mattiolo Love to Love

By Gai Mattiolo

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Printed evening dress with fringes scarf attached on skirt and tied on the left side of the hips

Category

2010s Turkish Empire Waist Dresses

A 1960s Nan Duskin Couture Metallic Brocade Empire Waist Dress
A 1960s Nan Duskin Couture Metallic Brocade Empire Waist Dress

A 1960s Nan Duskin Couture Metallic Brocade Empire Waist Dress

By Nan Duskin

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Shoulder to shoulder: 14 inches Top of shoulder to empire waist line: 11 inches Empire waist: 29 inches

Category

1960s Empire Waist Dresses

A Jacques Griffe French Couture Evening Dress in Chiffon and Lace Circa 1958
A Jacques Griffe French Couture Evening Dress in Chiffon and Lace Circa 1958

A Jacques Griffe French Couture Evening Dress in Chiffon and Lace Circa 1958

By Jacques Griffe

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1958/1960 France Jacques Griffe Haute Couture dress in cream guipure and fuschia organza muslin dating from the late 50s. Silhouette near the line Tonneau Balenciaga with its h...

Category

1960s French Empire Waist Dresses

1974 Documented Jean Varon Rainbow Maxi Dress
1974 Documented Jean Varon Rainbow Maxi Dress

1974 Documented Jean Varon Rainbow Maxi Dress

By Jean Varon

Located in London, GB

Goddard and photographed by David Bailey. It has a dramatic empire-line silhouette, under which plumes of

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1970s British Empire Waist Dresses

Alexander McQueen Leather Dress With Belt S/S 2006
Alexander McQueen Leather Dress With Belt S/S 2006

Alexander McQueen Leather Dress With Belt S/S 2006

By Alexander McQueen

Located in London, GB

- Spring / Summer 2006 "Neptune" runway collection by Lee Alexander McQueen - Empire waist

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Early 2000s Italian Empire Waist Dresses

Iceberg Floral Print Silk Dress With Fringe Hem & Embroidered Trim
Iceberg Floral Print Silk Dress With Fringe Hem & Embroidered Trim

Iceberg Floral Print Silk Dress With Fringe Hem & Embroidered Trim

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This vintage Iceberg dress combines elegant silk with a kimono-inspired silhouette, featuring delicate floral prints and intricate embroidered trim. Its playful fringe adds movement,...

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1990s Empire Waist Dresses

Ceremonial dress in champagne satin Edwardian period - England Circa 1900
Ceremonial dress in champagne satin Edwardian period - England Circa 1900

Ceremonial dress in champagne satin Edwardian period - England Circa 1900

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1900 England Beautiful champagne silk satin wedding dress from the Edwardian period in England, designed by Madame Ernest in Leeds. Typical of the S-shaped silhouette of the B...

Category

Early 1900s British Empire Waist Dresses

Spring 2005 Proenza Schouler Purple Printed Dress
Spring 2005 Proenza Schouler Purple Printed Dress

Spring 2005 Proenza Schouler Purple Printed Dress

By Proenza Schouler

Located in Toronto, Ontario

cups that are embellished with top stitching. Empire waist with piping throughout the bust that matches

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Early 2000s American Empire Waist Dresses

Dolce & Gabbana SS2018 floral Jumpsuit
Dolce & Gabbana SS2018 floral Jumpsuit

Dolce & Gabbana SS2018 floral Jumpsuit

Located in Carnate, IT

Dolce & Gabbana Jumpsuit Spring 2018 RTW collection In 100% silk with floral pattern. Italian size 40 Shoulders 42 cm Waist 30cm Length 163 cm Excellent general condition, shows mi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Empire Waist Dresses

Rety Paris Silk Organza Pop Floral
Rety Paris Silk Organza Pop Floral

Rety Paris Silk Organza Pop Floral

Located in New York, NY

pop florals in an empire waist dress with full sweep and ruffled collar. Back zipper. Excellent

Category

1970s French Empire Waist Dresses

Galanos Empire Waist Gown
Galanos Empire Waist Gown

Galanos Empire Waist Gown

By Galanos

Located in New York, NY

Galanos, wool, matelasse, A line, empire waist gown with square neckline, front and back. Dress is

Category

1970s American Evening Gowns

1960s Brocade Empire Gown
1960s Brocade Empire Gown

1960s Brocade Empire Gown

Located in Alford, MA

Brocade gown in a geometric silver and charcoal pattern featuring a wide, square neckline, empire

Category

1960s American Evening Gowns

Chanel Spring 1998 Gray Empire Waist Gown With Black Train
Chanel Spring 1998 Gray Empire Waist Gown With Black Train

Chanel Spring 1998 Gray Empire Waist Gown With Black Train

By Chanel Boutique

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This exquisite Chanel gown from the Spring 1998 runway embodies timeless elegance with its

Category

1990s Evening Gowns

IRENE SARGENT Gold Sequin Gown with Empire Bust Size 6-8
IRENE SARGENT Gold Sequin Gown with Empire Bust Size 6-8

IRENE SARGENT Gold Sequin Gown with Empire Bust Size 6-8

By IRENE SARGENT

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This Irene Sargent Couture gown is composed of a gold sequin fabric. Features an empire v-neck bust

Category

20th Century Unknown Evening Gowns

1960S Lemmon Yellow Beaded Silk Chiffon Empire Waist Gown With Matching Cropped
1960S Lemmon Yellow Beaded Silk Chiffon Empire Waist Gown With Matching Cropped

1960S Lemmon Yellow Beaded Silk Chiffon Empire Waist Gown With Matching Cropped

Located in New York, NY

MORPHEW VINTAGE represents the finest pieces of fashions past. Sourced from across the globe, dating as far back as a century. Each piece is selected with both quality and rarity in ...

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1960s Evening Dresses and Gowns

HELEN ROSE Black Silk Chiffon Draped Gown with Empire Waist Size 2 4
HELEN ROSE Black Silk Chiffon Draped Gown with Empire Waist Size 2 4

HELEN ROSE Black Silk Chiffon Draped Gown with Empire Waist Size 2 4

By Helen Rose

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This Helen Rose design is composed of a black silk chiffon. Features a beautiful draped design with tacked waist. There is a center back closure. In excellent vintage condition, some...

Category

20th Century American Evening Gowns

UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana 2006 Gold Metallic Lace Tassel Empire Dress Gown 42
UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana 2006 Gold Metallic Lace Tassel Empire Dress Gown 42

UNWORN Dolce & Gabbana 2006 Gold Metallic Lace Tassel Empire Dress Gown 42

By Dolce & Gabbana

Located in Switzerland, CH

GORGEOUS DOLCE & GABBANA GOLDEN LACE DRESS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PIECES BY DOLCE & GABBANA DETAILS: A DOLCE & GABBANA timeless classic signature piece that wi...

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Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses

1990S Bereda Feredi Black Beaded Silk Empire Waist
1990S Bereda Feredi Black Beaded Silk Empire Waist

1990S Bereda Feredi Black Beaded Silk Empire Waist

Located in New York, NY

Decade: 1990s. Material: Silk . Vintage condition: Excellent. Measurements Bust: 32-34 in. Waist: 32-36 in. Overall length: 66 in. US: 10.

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1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns

Chanel Lace Striped Camellia Empire Dress S/S 1988
Chanel Lace Striped Camellia Empire Dress S/S 1988

Chanel Lace Striped Camellia Empire Dress S/S 1988

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel

Located in Boca Raton, FL

neckline that frames the décolletage. A satin waistband at a high empire waistline separates the lace

Category

1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

1970s Janice Wainwright Empire Waist Metallic Cheetah Print Maxi Dress
1970s Janice Wainwright Empire Waist Metallic Cheetah Print Maxi Dress

1970s Janice Wainwright Empire Waist Metallic Cheetah Print Maxi Dress

By Janice Wainwright

Located in Boca Raton, FL

, drape, and pattern. This gown was designed during her Simon Massey years in the 1970s, but glimpses the

Category

1970s British Evening Dresses and Gowns

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Empire Evening Gowns For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of empire evening gowns for sale on 1stDibs. Our collection of empire evening gowns includes a variety of colors, spanning black, gray, beige and more. Finding the perfect accessories for you may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions of these were made as early as the 19th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 21st Century, can also be found on the site. Finding appealing empire evening gowns such as these — no matter the origin — is easy, but Malcolm Starr, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana each produced popular versions that are worth a look. Finding accessories for sale for women should be easy, but there are 13 pieces available to browse for men as well as unisex, too.

How Much are Empire Evening Gowns?

The prices for empire evening gowns start at $41 and top out at $47,750 with these items, on average, selling for $977.

Finding the Right Evening Dresses And Gowns 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 Empire Evening Gowns
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    The difference between an evening dress and an evening gown is length. An evening gown is generally a full-length garment that falls between the ankles and the floor. An evening dress is a semi-formal or formal dress designed to be worn at night or on special occasions. Evening gowns are one type of evening dress, and you can also find examples with mini, knee-length and midi-length hemlines. Shop a wide range of evening gowns and other evening dresses on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    There really isn't a difference between a cocktail gown and an evening gown. Both terms describe a full-length formal dress designed for evenings and special occasions. On the other hand, a cocktail dress or evening dress is a less formal garment that usually falls between just above and just below the knees and is suitable for evening wear. Explore a wide variety of cocktail dresses and evening gowns on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    The best color for an evening gown is a matter of preference. Evening gowns are popular in a variety of colors, including black, red, purple, green, blue, pink and more. 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.

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