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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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021An organza wedding dress is a wedding dress made of organza fabric. Organza is a lightweight, woven sheer material but is very strong. Give your dream dress a beautiful and sophisticated look — shop vintage and designer organza wedding dresses from top fashion boutiques around the world on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024A good budget for a wedding dress is what you can afford. The average selling price for wedding dresses in the U.S. is around $1,000. However, prices vary considerably, so you can find dresses that are much less and much more expensive. Explore a diverse assortment of wedding dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because lace wedding dresses are elegant and a classic bridal look, lace wedding dresses are seen as a bridal fabric that will never go out of style. If you are seeking a more trendy design, there are different styles of lace dresses so that the gown is better suited toward your taste and needs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024Yes, you can generally wear a wrap dress to a wedding. In fact, wrap dresses can be flattering picks for special occasions due to the way they visually contour the body with their crisscrossing lines. Just be sure to choose a dress that matches the level of formality for the wedding and to avoid wearing white to keep attention focused on the bride. Shop an assortment of wrap dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 29, 2024The best way to get a Dior wedding dress is by shopping vintage. While the celebrated French luxury house makes custom gowns for VIP clients, and Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri has designed handbags and jewelry that are part of a “bridal selection” offered on the brand’s official website, you cannot purchase Dior wedding dresses or gowns at the site nor can official Dior wedding dresses be found in the company’s boutiques.
Vintage Dior dresses, including silk formal gowns designed by John Galliano, are among fashion’s most coveted garments. Tenacious collectors of vintage fashion should work with trusted resellers or visit e-commerce platforms such as 1stDibs to find Dior wedding dresses or Dior dresses that can be worn as bridal outfits. - 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To be considered vintage, a wedding dress has to be at least 20 years old. Many brides opt for vintage wedding dresses due to their timeless style and unique details. Shop a range of vintage and designer wedding dresses from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Satin wedding dresses photograph well because of their high sheen, which tends to look great in any lighting.
- 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 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 ExpertMarch 13, 2024The color of Queen Elizabeth's wedding dress was white. Norman Hartnell designed the dress worn by then-Princess Elizabeth when she married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1947. The dress was made of satin, tulle and chiffon and featured a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a variety of wedding dresses.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023In the 1900s, wedding dresses typically looked like full, floor-length garments. Brides wore S-shaped corsets below the usually ruffled bodices, and most designs included large puff sleeves. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage wedding dresses from some of the world's top boutiques.
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