UNWORN Missoni Blue Chevron Crochet Knit Kaftan Maxi Dress 42
By Missoni, Missoni Mare
Located in Switzerland, CH
Missoni's signature crochet-knit kaftans are a vacation staple. Yellow and blue tones make this dress style perfect for sun-soaked beach resorts. Stunning MISSONI kaftan dress Fant...
Missoni Mare Knit Kaftan Beaded Constellations
By Missoni Mare
Located in Miami, FL
Missoni Mare navy knit kaftan with embroidered and beaded constellations over the front of the dress. This is a very unique piece that I have never seen before with Missoni. The c...
$1,049Sale Price|30% Off
Size: 42
NEW Multicolor Missoni Silver Metallic Crochet Knit Kaftan Tunic Mini Dress 42
By Missoni Mare, Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
This multicolored sheer knit kaftan with a silver Lurex flecks from Missoni is a glamorous vacation coverup. Combined with a floppy hat and statement sandals, this kaftan's oversiz...
NEW Multicolor Missoni Silver Metallic Crochet Knit Kaftan Tunic Mini Dress
By Missoni Mare, Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
This multicolored sheer knit kaftan with a silver Lurex flecks from Missoni is a glamorous vacation coverup. Combined with a floppy hat and statement sandals, this kaftan's oversiz...
Sold
Size: 42 fits best US 4-6
Stunning Multicolor Missoni Silver Metallic Crochet Knit Kaftan Tunic Mini Dress
By Missoni Mare, Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
This multicolored sheer knit kaftan with a silver Lurex flecks from Missoni is a glamorous vacation coverup. Combined with a floppy hat and statement sandals, this kaftan's oversiz...
Sold|$1,495
Art Deco Lame Broche Fringed Shawl
Located in New York, NY
Art deco lame floral patterned shawl with ivory silk fringe, 48 x 38 plus 22" fringe. Excellent condition w slight oxidation in center.
Luca Luca 1990s Terra Cotta Tan Sz 8 / 10 Virgin Wool Italian Vintage 90s Dress
By LUCA LUCA
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and classic never worn 1990s LUCA LUCA terra-cotta virgin wool sleeveless sheath dress! The perfect alternative to the little black dress, this gem offers so much versatility. F...
John Galliano Lace Cardigan and 2 Camisoles Set
By John Galliano
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous cardigan and camisole set in black knit lace plus an additional matching red camisole all from John Galliano. The set consists of 2 flower pattern lace knit camisoles one ...
$394
Size: Recommended Size; UK 6-8
2000s Dolce & Gabbana Psychedelic Pink Silk Lace Floaty Sheer Blouse - Tunic Top
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Sheffield, GB
A superb 2000's pure silk Dolce & Gabbana psychedelic blouse with fabulous chantilly lace inserts. Plunged V-Neck, cap sleeves and past the hip length hem. Measurements are provided...
Black Beaded Cardigan
Located in Alford, MA
Black cardigan from the 1950s-'60s embellished with black beads and sequins. Sweater composition is lambswool, angora and nylon and has tiny spherical buttons. Lined. Retailed by Gim...
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 12
Beautiful 1990s Badgley Mischka Size 12 Fully Beaded Grey Vintage 90s Deco Gown
By BADGLEY MISHCKA, Badgley Mischka
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 1990s BADGLEY MISCHKA size 12 gray fully beaded + rhinestone deco style evening gown! Features elegant 3/4 sleeves with a fitted bodice and forgiving skirt. Hand cr...
Roberto Cavalli Blue & White Ming Gown Dress with Fur Trim Wrap S/S 2005 Sz 42IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Blue & White Ming Gown Dress with Fur Trim Wrap S/S 2005 Sz 42IT. This dress is marked a 42IT. Measurements not stretched reflect a small but has a lot of s...
NARCISO RODRIGUEZ 2018 Silk Soft Pink/Peach Gown Maxi Dress
By Narciso Rodriguez
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Narciso Rodriguez 2018 Original Price $2,995 Special Capsule Collection for Barneys NY The most adorable softest baby pink color bordering on peach Pullover Lined 100% silk IT40 fits...
Chanel Vintage Double Breasted Logo Silk Red Dress
By Chanel
Located in Naples, FL
Chanel Vintage Logo Double Breasted Dress Vintage red and multi-color dress by Chanel. Floral print throughout. Short sleeves. Double breasted closure. Goldtone hardware. Conditi...
1990S GUCCI Caramel Brown Rayon Jersey Low Cut Mini Cocktail Dress With Sleeves
Located in New York, NY
1990S GUCCI Caramel Brown Rayon Jersey Low Cut Mini Cocktail Dress With Sleeves
Celine Brown Cut out Back Dress with Bead Trim S/S 2003
By Celine, Michael Kors
Located in Water Mill, NY
A very chic brown jersey dress by Michael Kors for Celine. It has rows of brown wooden bead adorned fine straps emanating from the front neckline which extend over the shoulders cros...
Iconic Vintage Alaia Neutral Tone Lace Bodycon Knit Dress 1990's
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Azzedine Alaia beige fitted dress with knit lace bodice. Features square neckline, bow at front and zipper at back. The dress fits a today's size 4. Please contact us for mea...
PAMELA DENNIS 2001 Vintage Gunmetal Silver Evening Gown Maxi Dress
By Pamela Dennis
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Pamela Dennis Evenings 2001 Vintage Metallic gunmetal silver Size USA 12 Pristine condition Measurements in inches laying flat: length 57, pit to pit 17, smallest of waist 17 Final...
NWT's THE DANES Vintage Black Silk Extra Long Evening Gown Maxi Dress
Located in Leonardo, NJ
The Danes Vintage Black 100% silk Extra long Pullover Sheer mesh back Size USA 8 NWT's, Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: length 66, pit to pit 16 to 18, smallest of waist...
$299Sale Price|62% Off
Size: 40
NEW Missoni Gold Metallic Crochet Knit Lurex Palazzo Wide Leg Pants Trousers 40
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
MISSONI LUREX PALAZZO PANTS A timeless and elegant piece - so versatile that it is stunning on a night, elegant at daytime and cozy worn as loungewear. Missoni signature piece ...
$1,295
Size: US 4, GB 30, I 38, F 36, D 32
Christian Lacroix Vintage Strapless Floral Print Mini Dress with Raffia, 1990s
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Sparks, NV
Incredible vintage Christian Lacroix strapless mini dress with a floral print and black raffia embroidered lace. Sexy iconic Lacroix! Fully lined with zip closure. The marked size is...
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.