1980’s Eugene Alexander Colorblock Ruched Strapless Velvet Evening Gown
By Eugene Alexander
Located in Concord, NC
Striking vintage evening gown by Eugene Alexander from the 1980’s featuring a dramatic colorblocked bodice in jewel-toned teal and vibrant purple satin.
Eugene Alexander One Shoulder Black Jersey Draped Gown With Floral Shoulder 1980
By Eugene Alexander
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Eugene Alexander, one shoulder draped jersey gown with floral shoulder applique detail, from the early 1980s.
Eugene Alexander 80s Strapless Lamé Party Dress
By Eugene Alexander
Located in Gresham, OR
Eugene Alexander 80s strapless lamé party dress originally sold at Neiman Marcus.
1980 Eugene Alexander Black Velvet Evening Gown w Cobalt & Purple Silk Sash
By Eugene Alexander
Located in Gresham, OR
A stunning 1980s Eugene Alexander black velvet column gown with a vivid cobalt and purple silk sash draped across one shoulder and bust, gathered to a large rosette with boning at sh...
Sold
Size: Small / Small Medium
1980s Eugene Alexander Avant Garde Green + Black Vintage 80s Mini Dress
By Eugene Alexander
Located in San Diego, CA
Avant Garde EUGENE ALEXANDER 1980s green silk brocade and black silk velvet off the shoulder mini dress!
$1,895
Size: Small - Small Medium
Malcolm Starr 1960s Black Silk Chiffon Grecian One Shoulder Vintage 60s Gown
By Malcolm Starr
Located in San Diego, CA
Approximately Size Small Measurements: 32 inch bust 28 inch waist 38 inch hips 60 inches from top back shoulder seam to hem A striking vintage 1960s Malcolm Starr black silk chiff...
1950s Neiman Marcus Couture Black Silk Chiffon Strapless Vintage 50s Wiggle Gown
By Neiman Marcus
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous bombshell 1950s NEIMAN MARCUS couture strapless silk chiffon evening dress! Impeccable construction, with so much detail and workmanship. Built in interior bustier keeps eve...
80s Ungaro Jersey Ruched Strapless Dress
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning and oh so flattering 80s Ungaro gown in a royal blue jersey comprised of silk and cotton. It has a drop waist ruched bodice to below the hips and then a flowy skirt. The upp...
Remarkable Vintage Oscar de la Renta Black Velvet & Chiffon Grecian Gown
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Absolutely remarkable vintage Oscar de la Renta gown! Beautiful black silk velvet skirt, with a pleated asymmetrical chiffon bodice. Slight mermaid train. Hidden hook-and-eyes at top...
Oscar de la Renta Navy Velvet Strapless Gown - 12
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Oscar de la Renta gown is strapless and dark navy blue velvet. It is in very good condition with minor wear on the velvet. Measurements Bust: 36" Waist: 34" Hips: 40.5" L...
1980s Vicky Tiel Couture Strapless Ombre Pleated Bodice Mesh Evening Gown Sz 0 2
By Vicky Tiel
Located in San Diego, CA
This striking 1980s vintage Vicky Tiel Couture for Neiman Marcus evening gown features a sculpted strapless boned bodice crafted from finely pleated chiffon in a dreamy ombré of aqua...
Halston Purple Silk Single Shoulder Silk Evening Gown 1970's
By Halston
Located in Studio City, CA
1970's Halston purple silk evening gown with a single shoulder strap and wrap skirt featuring a draped waist tie. The silk fabric which the bodice and waist tie are fabricated from i...
1990s Angel Sanchez Navy Blue Silk Vintage 90s Strapless Evening Gown Dress
By Angel Sanchez
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning late 1990s ANGEL SANCHEZ Couture navy blue silk strapless mermaid evening gown ! The perfect alternative to black, this shade of navy blue in particular is quite striking. I...
Randolph Duke 1990s Navy Blue Sz 8 Jersey Asymmetrical Vintage 90s Grecian Gown
By Randolph Duke COUTURE, Randolph Duke
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous mid 90s RANDOLPH DUKE navy / midnight blue rayon jersey asymmetrical Grecian evening halter dress! Duke started his career as head designer for Halston in the late 1980s and...
1960s Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner Vintage One-Shoulder Black Cocktail Dress
By Bill Blass, Maurice Rentner
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage 1960s Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner one-shoulder cocktail dress with side buttons. Simple and chic! Details: Fully Lined Side Zip Closure Marked Size: 14 Estimated ...
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage black silk gown with Swarovski crystals, 1990s
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Montgomery, TX
From the Gianni Versace Couture collection. Museum grade! Italian size is 38 ( US 4 ) 90-s Vintage Gianni Versace Couture black silk gown with Swarovski crystals. Opt for sleek simpl...
1990s Bellville Sassoon Velvet Slip Dress with Sequinned Bodice
By Bellville Sassoon
Located in London, GB
This 1990s Bellville Sassoon floor-length dress is crafted from an amalgamation of beautiful fabrics. The flattering, bias-cut body and skirt are tailored from devoré cloth, showcasi...
1970's Pauline Trigère Black One Shoulder Gown with Ruffle
By Pauline Trigère
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's Pauline Trigère black one shoulder wool jersey gown with silk taffeta ruffle. Elegant and timeless look with body contour seams enhancing the figure and a sexy open slit on th...
$1,499Sale Price|21% Off
Size: 34
Saint Laurent YSL One shoulder Black Velvet Metallic Layered Dress, 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A designer who in many ways was ahead of his time, YSL seamlessly has evolved his aesthetic from traditional to modern and back again. Following his themed Russian and Opium collecti...
Vintage Liancarlo Couture Size 10 Black Off Shoulder Silk Velvet Burn Out Gown
By Liancarlo Couture, Liancarlo
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous 1990s LIANCARLO COUTURE black silk chiffon and lightweight silk velvet burnout evening dress! Features a structured perfect fitting bodice, with built-in interior support to...
F/W 1997 Bill Blass Runway Deep Red Velvet Strapless Evening Gown
By Bill Blass
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This deep red strapless evening gown from Bill Blass's Fall/Winter 1997 collection, as worn by Elsa Benitez on the runway, is crafted from luxurious velvet. The gown features a fitte...
ROBERTO CAVALLI S/s 2003 Parrot And Tropical Print Crossback Dress Gown Size S
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
Size S
Stunning Vintage Bill Blass Lipstick Red Strapless Silk Mermaid Dress / Gown
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage Bill Blass red silk Mermaid dress! Vibrant liptick red color, with intriicate stitching, which produce an unbelievable sexy fit! Super flattering, and utterly jaw dr...
2000s KRIZIA Sheer micro mini beaded yellow
By Krizia
Located in Austin, TX
2000s KRIZIA Sheer mini beaded nylon and spandex with beading Condition: Excellent 33" bust, 30" waist, 31" hips, 29" length One size ( fits US 0 - 6 )
Manolo Blahnik 2008 Silk Printed Mules With Turquoise Rhinestones, 5.5
By Manolo Blahnik
Located in North Miami, FL
This gorgeous pair of Manolo Blahnik pair of sexy mules have the most luscious silk printed design on them with chartreuse leather interior. The design is very Pucci esque. The turqu...
1999 Chloe Runway Documented Pink Jacquard Low-Back Gown
By Chloé
Located in London, GB
This full-length evening dress was designed by Stella McCartney for Chloé and appeared on the runway in black as part of the brand’s Spring 1999 collection (look 56/77). McCartney se...
Bill Blass Cross Back Dress 1980s
By Bill Blass
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black jersey dress from Bill Blass. It is semi fitted with a full gathered skirt. The back is bare to just below the waist with the exception of straps which meet at a me...
$5,000
Size: Large - 40FR - 44IT
John Galliano Spring 2001 Fuchsia and Gold Metallic Bias Cut Slip Gown
By John Galliano
Located in Paris, FR
Striking evening gown from John Galliano, Spring–Summer 2001 collection period. The dress is cut in a saturated fuchsia jersey enhanced with fine gold metallic thread, producing a sh...
1990s Ralph Lauren Pink Silk Maxi Dress with Crystal Straps
By Ralph Lauren
Located in London, GB
This Y2K Ralph Lauren silk maxi dress is just about the closest design we have ever seen to the brand's custom made gown for Gwyneth Paltrow to attend the 71st Academy Awards where s...
PAMELA DENNIS COUTURE 1998 Vintage Silk Gold Evening Gown Maxi Dress w. Train
By PAMELA DENNIS COUTURE
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Pamela Dennis Couture 1998 Vintage As seen in American Vogue Yellow Gold tapestry print 100% thick silk Removable long oversized dramatic train Back zip Size USA 6 Excellent Conditio...
La Perla S/S 2002 beige nude sheer embellished backless wedding slip dress gown
By La Perla
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE La Perla S/S 2002 Composed of two layers of beige stretch sheer silk chiffon, embellished with circular motifs in varying sizes, formed from a combination of silve...
2000S JOHN GALLIANO CHRISTIAN DIOR Olive Green Silk Chiffon One Shoulder Dress
By John Galliano
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully made with an internal corset to keep the shape of the dress. Some damage due to young rich girls who's mother's taught them no sense of decorum. Damage is on side where t...
$1,675
Size: Extra Small
Beautiful 1960s Extra Small XS Couture Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1960s demi couture black silk chiffon sequin evening gown! Features thousands of hand-sewn black sequins throughout the sleeves and skirt. Thin spaghetti strap underlay wit...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Ethereal One Shoulder Silk Dress
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
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...
Vintage Alexander McQueen Bat Wing Knit Top
By Alexander McQueen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Vintage Alexander McQueen Bat Wing Knit Top would be an exciting addition to any wardrobe, especially for someone who enjoys pieces that combine boldness, sophistication, and art...
$580
Size: Size 1 Small
Leonard, Paris Strapless Silk Floral Print Gown with Silk Flower Corsage Bodice
By Leonard
Located in New Hope, PA
This strapless dress from Leonard, Paris is just so cheerful and feminine. The floral print seems to have every shade of every color under the rainbow set against a black background...
EPIC John Galliano Evening Gown Black Silk Dress FW 08/09
By John Galliano
Located in Berlin, BE
This black silk evening gown by John Galliano, from his Fall/Winter 08/09 Collection is one of those moments: a love letter to the art of couture at its most theatrical and refined. ...
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.