ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2006 “Widows Of Culloden” Gray Bow Empire Sheath Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Gray wool empire style waistband below bustline of dress; structured vertical bow knot detail at center front of dress. ½ Length sleeves with small open “V” shape vent slits at sleev...
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960's Orange Geometric Op Art Signature Print Silk Empire Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Thiensville, WI
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960's Orange Geometric Op Art Signature Print Silk Empire Dress Circa: 1960’s Label(s): Emilio Pucci; Made of Lord & Taylor Designer: Emilio Pucci Style: Empire dre...
1970s-Style Crochet Halter Dress W/ Daisy Embroidered Linen Handkerchief Hem
By Torso Creations
Located in Gresham, OR
1970s-s crochet halter dress with daisy embroidered linen handkerchief hem. Bustline and neck are hand-crochet. Three buttons at back of neck and Empire waist tie at center back. S...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2006 "Neptune" Plum Purple Bow Front Empire Cocktail Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
DESCRIPTION: ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2006 "Neptune" Plum Purple Bow Front Empire Cocktail Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 2006 “Neptune” Des...
1970s Purple Butterfly Fortuny Style Empire Line Dress
Located in London, GB
This pretty 1970s purple empire line dress with butterfly motif has a bohemian, summery feel. The full length dress is comprised of a fine rayon fabric for the skirt in a lilac shade...
Poiret Directoire Style Raffia Bonnet
Located in New York, NY
Although perceived of as a night bonnet, these were usually worn with late afternoon empire styled dresses. Cap is in excellent condition, lined in blue silk.
Carolyne Roehm Purple Satin Portrait Neckline Sleeveless Empire Evening Dress 10
By Carolyne Roehm
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The dress bodice is Empire style and there is a rhinestone applique sewn at the center front.
DOLCE & GABBANA F/W 2006 Empire Style Corset Tassel Goddess Gown 44
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Switzerland, CH
A breathtaking testament to Dolce & Gabbana’s mid-2000s mastery of romantic historicism, this magnificent gown stems from the critically acclaimed Fall/Winter 2006 Ready-to-Wear coll...
1960s Multi Color Metallic Silk Brocade Dress with Embellishment
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1960s multi color metallic silk brocade is in rich jeweled tone adorned with red, gold, yellow large sequins embellishment on the waist. Dress has empire style waist wit...
Black Empire-Style Stretch Lounge Maxi Dress
Located in New York, NY
Black empire-style stretch nylon-blend maxi lounge dress measures 43 1/2" in length in front, 56 3/4" in back, waist is 16" unstretched, 30" stretched, neck-to cuff is 7 1/2", cuff c...
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Brown Jersey Peasant Style YSL Dress with Black Yoke
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
This late 1970's or early 1980's Yves Saint Laurent vintage dress is in a brown rayon jersey with a contrasting black yoke. This peasant style dress was a popular theme in YSL's coll...
Pelush Black Faux Fur Couture Gown Dress in Faux Broadtail and Faux Fox - XS
By Pelush - Luxury Faux Furs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Lined with a sumptuous silky navy blue fabric and invisible zipper. Empire style dress. A collector garment to be proud to pass on to generations to come, an opportunity to share won...
Geoffrey Beene Paisley Print Bohemian Style Dress
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in New York, NY
Geoffrey Beene,paisley pattern, gauze, empire waist , bohemian style dress with flounced hem and separate fringed scarf.Label reads "Beene Bazaar".
Geoffrey Beene silk "bohemian" style long 70's dress
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in New York, NY
Red-orange scoop neckline, bold "fern" + "fauna" print empire waist long dress with front lacing and flounced hem and sleeve. Back zipper closure
C.1970 Anne Fogarty Gold Moire Style Empire Dress With Velvet & Rhinestone Trim
By Anne Fogarty
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Anne Fogarty empire maxi dress has the midas touch. The heavy gold lame fabric has a moire design with textural gold braided trim on the empire waist bodice and cuffs. The tri...
Bottega Veneta Black Empire Strapless Draped Very Long Gown
By Bottega Veneta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bottega Veneta black strapless jersey draped very long gown, there is a long drape scarf that is attached to the bodice it can be worn over the shoulder or long as in the photo. Simp...
Late 1960s Moroccan Style Brocade Gown
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Although no label is found I am confident this dress can be attributed to Oscar de la Renta. Having sold many of his gowns from the same era, this gown is a real ODL showstopper. Ma...
Tarquin Ebker Pink Crepe Cocktail Dress w/ Empire Style
By Tarquin Ebker
Located in Gresham, OR
Tarquin Ebker contemporary pink crepe cocktail dress with empire waist style and knotted decolletage detail. 32" empire waist.
Gianfranco Ferre Black Silk Chiffon Pleated Empire Style Gown
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gianfranco Ferre Black Silk Chiffon Pleated Empire Style Gown - 44 This stunning dress is in excellent condition.
1960s Grecian Style Chiffon Gown w/ Empire Beaded Cut-Outs
Located in Gresham, OR
A gorgeous 1960s Grecian style black silk chiffon gown: Back zipper, Empire waist w/ beaded eyelet cut-outs. Heavily ruched at bodice and shoulders. Fully lined.
1970S VALENTINO Style Baby Pink Haute Couture Silk Crepe Boned Empire Waist Go
Located in New York, NY
1970S VALENTINO Style Baby Pink Haute Couture Silk Crepe Boned Empire Waist Gown
1970's Jean Muir Green Day Dress
By Jean Muir
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's British designer Jean Muir's heathered green knee-length day dress. Empire style waist line with soft draped pleats, pin tuck stitching, V-neck and loop buttons down center.
Edward Abbott Fringed Cocktail Dress
By Edward Abbott
Located in New York, NY
Edward Abbott black crepe scoop neck dress with empire style waist and straight fitted body.
Chanel silk blue cocktail dress
By Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL Cruise Collection 2002 Multi-layered midnight blue silk voile cocktail dress. Empire style décolleté with large layered drapery, asymmetrical, long sleeves with free flounces.
Geoffrey Beene Velvet and Lace Dress
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in New York, NY
Geoffrey Beene, black velvet empire waist, baby doll style dress, having a high neck satin collar and a bell sleeve treatment.
1960s Mollie Parnis wool crepe gown with sequin trim
By Mollie Parnis
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mollie Parnis 1960s empire waist mod style maxi dress in black wool crepe...Open round neckline which dips low in the back is trimmed in a double row or rhinestones, there are also a...
Gucci by Tom Ford Iconic 1998 Plunging Neckline Empire Style Dress Gown
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Gucci F/W 1998 collection by Tom Ford elegant net overlay evening dress. Features plunging neckline with empire style bodice Bias cut full skirt with a layer of grey silk ...
Mameluck Dress in Muslin and Embroidered Veil - First French Empire Circa 1810
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1810 France Day dress in muslin and veil embroidered with plumetis, Mameluck sleeves , dating from the first French Empire. Large neckline in lace on a high-waisted fitted bod...
Sold
Size: Medium / Large
Rare 1970s Harwood Steiger Screen Printed Ant Eater Novelty Linen Tunic Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare chic vintage early 70s HARWOOD STEIGER artist signed screenprinted avocado green short sleeve linen tunic caftan style empire dress! Soft linen blend fabric is lightweight, and ...
EMILIO PUCCI c.1960s Multicolor Silk Ruffle Empire Waist Mock-Neck Maxi Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Thiensville, WI
Empire-style waistline, slight gather to fabric at waistline.
1960s Celedon Green Rayon Jersey Grecian-Styled Gown w Jeweled Empire Waist
Located in Gresham, OR
1960s Celedon Green Rayon Jersey Grecian-Styled Gown w Jeweled Empire Waist: Unknown maker, however, this gown is beautifully draped at waist with a deep decolletage and fluid skirt....
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2006 "Neptune" Metallic Gold Linen Empire Sheath Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2006 "Neptune" Metallic Gold Linen Empire Sheath Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 2006 Designer: Alexander McQueen S...
1960S Off White Silk Blend Radzimir Crystal Beaded Jackie O Style Mod Empire Wa
Located in New York, NY
1960S Off White Silk Blend Radzimir Crystal Beaded Jackie O Style Mod Empire Waist Gown
MONIQUE LHUILLIER BLISS Ivory Silk Empire Style Bias Cut Gown Size 4
By Monique Ihuillier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Monique Lhuillier gown is composed of an off-white silk with a bias cut. The striking neckline is accented by a sweeping train. There is a zipper closure. In excellent conditio...
Yves Saint Laurent Printed Silk Peasant Maxi Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Geneva, CH
Deep flounce at the lower thigh going down to the hem of the dress. Delicate Empire style stitched belt. Iconic actress Romy Schneider was wearing the same one, but in pale lilac.
1970s Black and White Penguin Prints Cotton Maxi Dress
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1970s black and white cotton Jacquard penguin print sleeveless maxi dress with large collar and large 2 pockets. Button in the front and slightly high waist empire style.
1960s Lilly Pulitzer Cool Column Dress in Pastel Shades
By Lilly Pulitzer
Located in Gresham, OR
This is a wonderful summer dress from Lilly Pulitzer! It's an empire waist style sleeveless full length dress with high slits trimmed in braid work.
1990s Grès White Evening Gown in an Antique Style
Located in Paris, FR
GRES (Made in France) Very vestal evening gown in off-white silk, composed of pleated silk adorned in the back and some parts in the front with white transparent silk muslin. The...
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.
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
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!)
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
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.