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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.
- What is a Melo Melo pearl?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Melo Melo pearls are natural mineral pearls produced by a large sea snail colloquially known as Melo Melo. The pearls range in color from orange to brown to tan. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted gems and pearls from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Who invented California dial?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The California dial likely originated in the 1930s because Californians loved mixing Roman and Arabic numbers. However, the style grew in popularity in the 1970s when refinisher Kirk Rich was tasked with creating California dial watch faces. You’ll find a range of California dial watches on 1stDibs.
- What is a California Watch Dial?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A California watch dial is a clock face featuring half Roman numerals (generally for 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock) and half Arabic numerals (generally for 4 o’clock to 8 o’clock). A dash might replace the hours of 3, 6, and 9 — instead of the comparatively unexciting numerical representation — and an inverted triangle might be used to represent the hour of 12. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique, modern and contemporary watches.
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