Patrick Kelly Cherry Red Knit Wrap Style Dress, 1980s
By Patrick Kelly
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sexy, body conscious illusion wrap dress from cult favorite designer, Patrick Kelly.
Category
Illusion Dress
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1970's Plum Suede and Rayon Crepe Dress
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The dress gives the illusion of wearing a dolman sleeve blouse underneath a suede jumper with buttons down the front, a front slit and oversized front pockets.
Category
1970s Unknown Informal Dresses
1960s Roberta di Camerino Trompe L'oeil Ultrasuede Dress
By Roberta Di Camerino
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Beautiful 1960s ultrasuede Roberta di Camerino trompe l'oeil dress. The brightly colored dress gives the illusion of wearing a blue skirt with a red sweater trimmed in green over a b...
Category
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
S/S 1997 Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Black Lace Bustier Stretch Cutout Slip Dress 40IT
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This not so innocent dress gives the illusion of a bra with a connecting skirt at the front, leaving the back semi-exposed.
Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
Ronald Van der kemp Haute Couture Dress, 2018
Located in Boca Raton, FL
It falls from lightly structured shoulders to a maxi length at the ankles in a high-low hem, creating a columnar silhouette. The dress is fitted throughout and features a gold leathe...
Category
2010s Dutch Evening Dresses and Gowns
New Marni White, Gray Kaleidoscope Print V Neck Sack Dress – It 36-42 / M, 2000s
By Marni
Located in Tucson, AZ
Its starburst waist pleats create the illusion of a wiggle dress from the front, while the deconstructed back provides comfort and walkability.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Shift Dresses
RARE Christian Dior by Raf Simons 2013 Colum Evening Gown Maxi Dress with Train
By Raf Simons for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Switzerland, CH
Design Specifics: • The "Floating" Back: The way the back is covered with lightweight, semi-transparent knitted fabric, it creates an illusion that the dress is barely attached to th...
Category
2010s French Evening Gowns
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Trompe L'oeil Smoking Black Tuxedo Long Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Trompe L'oeil Smoking Black Tuxedo Long Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Shoulder: 15.35 inches (39 cm) Sleeves: 24...
Category
20th Century Italian Evening Dresses
Oscar de La Renta Runway Resort 2013 Royal Blue Chiffon Rosette Dress-Size 4
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Oscar de La Renta Runway Resort 2013 Royal Blue Chiffon Rosette Embellished Dress-Size 4 This pacific royal blue somewhat mini dress is made of a fabric that is silk chiffon strips (...
Category
2010s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
CD Greene Couture SS2012 Turquoise Crystal Embellished Cutout Cocktail Dress 6
By CD GREENE
Located in San Diego, CA
The dress features illusion mesh panels at the sides and hem, each meticulously adorned with large iridescent faceted crystals that catch and reflect light with every step.
Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
2013 Versace Atelier Crystal Embellished Patent Leather Bondage Mini Dress
By Atelier Versace
Located in Montgomery, TX
Material & Embellishment: Crafted on a nude illusion base, the dress is elaborately embroidered with a network of black lace appliqué, vinyl-like glossy strips, and hand-placed cryst...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
runway COMME DES GARCONS Broken Bride AW05 black victorian ruffle silk dress S
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons
Located in Hong Kong, NT
Black. Victorian inspired dress. An illusion of a jacket over dress. Spread collar. 3/4 wide flared Victorian sleeves.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Dresses
Christian Dior Galliano Couture SilkWoolCrepe Changeante Cocktail Dress ss 1999
By Christian Dior Haute Couture, John Galliano
Located in Chicago, IL
The couture fabric is distinguished by narrowing alternating matte and shiny horizontal stripes for the illusion on this dress of a much smaller waist. More so, the front of the dar...
Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 1997 Runway Trompe L'oeil Tuxedo Print Sheer Mesh Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW
Variations of this signature sheer mesh appeared throughout the runway collection, reflecting Gaultier’s ongoing fascination with illusion, subversion and reworking traditional dress...
Category
1990s Italian Informal Dresses
Bob Mackie CHIC! Vintage Black Jeweled Lace Cocktail Dress w/Bow Size 6/8
By Martha, Bob Mackie
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Mackie's studio with rhinestones on a nude chiffon underneath to create a “nude illusion” bodice. This chic dress has a textured bow attached at the side hip, that is very flattering...
Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
1980's Never Worn Jean Louis Scherrer Lace and Satin Cocktail Dress
$500Sale Price|50% Off
1980's Never Worn Jean Louis Scherrer Lace and Satin Cocktail Dress
By Jean-Louis Scherrer
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980's unworn silver lace and taupe satin cocktail dress with illusion neckline by Jean Louis Scherrer.
Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
Valentino Yellow & White Cap Sleeve w/ Leaf Print - 8
By Valentino
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The dress has cross front that creates a v neck. It has the illusion of a wrap around dress.
Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
Christian Lacroix Midnight Sparkle Runway Gown FW 98/99
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Christian Lacroix Midnight Sparkle Runway Gown FW 98/99
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The silver stars also accentuate the lines of the body, especially the curve that cuts across the bodice from shoulder to hip, creating the illusion of a wrap dress. An off-center th...
Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Oleg Cassini Nude Rose Gold Bead and Sequin Illusion Evening Gown - US 6, 1990s
By Oleg Cassini
Located in Tucson, AZ
Achingly similar to Sharon Stone’s nude Bob Mackie gown in “Casino,” this illusion gown covers all the naughty bits with a solid crust of rose gold sequins, silver beads and rhinesto...
Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
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Illusion Dress For Sale on 1stDibs
Surely you’ll find the exact vintage or contemporary illusion dress you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Many people prefer Black, but fashion is all about individuality — you can find Gray, Red and more options on these pages. You’re likely to find the perfect illusion dress among the distinctive accessories we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of this accessory over the years, but those made by Bob Mackie, Peggy Hunt and Geoffrey Beene are often thought to be among the most stylish. When shopping for these accessories, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men or unisex today than there are for women.
How Much is a Illusion Dress?
Prices for an illusion dress can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $225 and can go as high as $4,760, while, on average they fetch $919.
Finding the Right Evening-dresses 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.
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Barbra Streisand Channeled Klimt’s ‘Woman in Gold’ in This Shimmering Dress
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.
A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
Behind the 1970s and ’80s Glam of ‘Halston’ with the Hit Show’s Costume Designer
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!)
A Short History of Capri Pants, on the 100th Birthday of Their Inventor
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story
Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.
You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior
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.
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