Emilio Pucci White Jersey Draped One-Shoulder Butterfly Print Maxi Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fashion History: This dress comes from Emilio Pucci, the Florentine house founded in 1947 by Marchese Emilio Pucci di Barsento, celebrated for its bold, kaleidoscopic prints and bod...
GUCCI red viscose 2016 RUFFLED VELVET BELTED JERSEY GOWN Maxi Dress L
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Gucci long sleeve jersey gown in viscose (98%) and elastane (2%) with ruffled details on neckline and cuffs. The design features a black velvet ribbon waist belt. Open...
Louis Feraud Paris vintage black blue red abstract print jersey midi maxi dress
By Louis Feraud Paris
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI Vintage Louis Feraud Paris long vintage dress Black with blue, red and beige abstract style print Long sleeves Crew neck Stretch fabric Concealed back zip Size: FR 38 ...
1970s Lilli Diamond Black Jersey Rhinestone Vintage 70s Wrap Maxi Dress Gown
By Lilli Diamond
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy, yet classic 1970s LILLI DIAMOND black jersey rhinestone encrusted faux wrap jersey plunging Grecian halter gown / maxi dress!
S/S 2010 Rick Owens "Release" Sheer Black Stretch Jersey Maxi Tank Dress IT38
By Rick Owens
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Rick Owens dress from the Spring/Summer 2010 “Release” collection is crafted from sheer black stretch jersey. The form-fitting silhouette features a high neckline, racerback cut...
$1,199Sale Price|30% Off
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Sleevless Trompe L'oeil Maxi Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage sleevless maxi jersey dress featuring an x-ray screen trompe l’œil jean jacket and jeans on the front and back.
$1,599Sale Price|30% Off
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Vintage Trompe L'oeil Maxi Dress with Detachable Sleeves
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Nice, FR
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage maxi jersey dress with detachable sleeves featuring an x-ray screen trompe l’œil jean jacket and jeans on the front and back.
Moroccan Green Embroidered Caftan Maxi Dress Kaftan Size M
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant vintage Moroccan Kaftan, embroidered with gold threads design all over. The maxi poly jersey dress kaftan features a traditional neckline, with side slits and gently fluted ...
Vintage Stephen Burrows Orange Matte Silk Jersey Chiffon Abstract Print Dress
By Stephen Burrows
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare vintage STEPHEN BURROWS matte silk jersey and chiffon orange / marigold maxi dress !
Amazing 1970s Light Pink Grecian Sequined and Beaded Long Sleeve Maxi Dress Gown
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing and gorgeous vintage 70s pale pink sequined and beaded long sleeve jersey gown / maxi dress! Features a pleated tailored bodice, encrusted with hand-sewn sequins and beads at...
1970s Luis Estevez Silk Jersey Lipstick Red Strapless Vintage 70s Grecian Gown
By Estevez
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful mid 1970s LUIS ESTEVEZ lipstick red silk jersey strapless Grecian gown / maxi dress ! Features an intricate gathered boned bodice.
1970s Ronald Kolodzie Navy Blue Orange Green Long Sleeve Vintage 70s Maxi Dress
By Ronald Kolodzie
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1970s RONALD KOLODZIE navy blue, orange and green long sleeve jersey maxi dress! Features a tropical Hawaiian print in vibrant colors of neon orange, green, peach and light p...
Vintage Moroccan Caftan Hot Pink with Gold, 1970's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant vintage Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with gold, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional designs in ...
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.
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