My Haute Wardrobe
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1970s American Skirt Suits
1970s American Day Dresses
1970s American Day Dresses
1970s French Trench Coats
1960s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s Italian Evening Gowns
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
1930s American Day Dresses
Finding the Right clothing for You
From museum-worthy vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing available on 1stDibs could talk, it would certainly make a statement.
For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers — think Galliano and Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures. Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino and other titans of the era can take a simpler ensemble to the next level, while chic and practical suits from the likes of Christian Dior and Chanel remain classic for haute couture advocates and beyond. By exploring the vast array of vintage collections on these pages, you can transform your closet into a retreat that is as retro as it is royal.
Velvet cocktail dresses and silk evening gowns designed by French-born American couturiere Pauline Trigère — who dressed Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor — have proven timeless since their mid-century debut, while an overcoat by Alexander McQueen is the perfect finishing touch. In fact, an emerald one stays in rotation for Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Those seeking modern high-fashion brands are also in luck. Turn your day-to-day into a runway with selections from Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace or complete that fresh look with stunning footwear classics from the likes of Gucci and Christian Louboutin. The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing.
Build your collection of covetable and iconic vintage garments by shopping on 1stDibs. No matter where you roam, our diverse apparel and accessories will keep you covered in the hottest styles and comfiest black hoodie imaginable.
- Is Versace haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024Yes, Versace is haute couture. The Italian fashion house is an official member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that determines which firms can operate with haute couture status.
More than any designer before him, Gianni Versace mined celebrity, music and Pop art for inspiration. In fact, the New York Times noted in 1997 that the fashion industry "is now driven by contemporary culture because Mr. Versace made it that way."
On 1stDibs, find vintage Versace clothing and accessories. - What qualifies as haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Haute couture is described as high-end luxury wear that has been custom-fitted and constructed by hand from start to finish and is governed by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in France. You can shop a variety of top fashion houses' haute couture designs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Balmain haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024Yes, Balmain is haute couture. The term haute couture refers to high-end luxury wear that has been custom-fitted and constructed by hand from start to finish. The world of haute couture is governed by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in France.
Fashion designer Pierre Balmain established his now-iconic label in 1945. In the postwar years, Balmain became known for bell-shaped skirts falling from slender waists, structured jackets over sheath day dresses and embellishments like fur trim.
From the dresses favored by Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to the sleek, skinny jeans seen on Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and every Kardashian, clothes from the House of Balmain have long been mainstays in celebrity wardrobes. Shop a collection of vintage Balmain from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs. - What is a haute couture dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024A haute couture dress is dress is a dress that was made by an esteemed haute couture designer. Dresses created by haute couture houses are constructed by hand from start to finish. They’re made of the finest materials and are individually tailored to meet the needs of a specific client.
Haute couture garments are expertly created by firms that are official member organizations of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that regulates this segment of the fashion industry. Dior, Maison Margiela and Schiaparelli are examples of universally revered haute couture houses.
Find haute couture dresses on 1stDibs. - Is Dior haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 20, 2024Yes, Dior is haute couture.
The French luxury fashion house Christian Dior is an official member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that determines which maisons can operate with haute couture status.
When Christian Dior launched his haute couture house, in 1946, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion. Vintage Dior bags, shoes, evening dresses, shirts and other garments and accessories are known today for their feminine and sophisticated sensibility.
On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of vintage Dior apparel and accessories. - Is Mugler haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Whether Mugler is haute couture may vary from year to year. This is due to the fact that the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode updates its list of haute couture fashion houses annually. Generally, the French luxury fashion house founded by Thierry Mugler has regularly appeared on the list of official haute couture fashion houses. Explore a variety of Mugler apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- What is a Compactum wardrobe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Compactum wardrobe is a piece of furniture made for storing clothes. Compactum wardrobes typically have mirrored doors and internal storage drawers, cubbies, racks and shelves that hold all of your necessities. Shop a collection of Compactum wardrobes from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a knockdown wardrobe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Knockdown wardrobes are wardrobes that can be dismantled. Knockdown furniture is a type of furniture that requires customer assembly; that is, the furniture comes in parts with instruction manuals for assembly. Find a collection of antique and vintage knockdown wardrobes on 1stDibs today.
- What is a chifferobe wardrobe?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A chifferobe wardrobe is a piece of furniture designed for storing clothes. It features an armoire side that allows you to hang clothes on one side. On the other side, it may feature drawers or shelves to allow for extra versatile storage space. Browse a collection of chifferobe wardrobes on 1stDibs.
- Is Louis Vuitton haute couture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 7, 2024Yes, Louis Vuitton is haute couture. The iconic French luxury brand is a member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body of haute couture as an art form.
Founded in 1868 as the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture and renamed FHCM in 2017, the organization has around 100 members — and Sidney Toledano, the CEO of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), sits on its executive committee. "Haute couture" is a legal term that, literally translated, means "high sewing" and refers to innovative, hand-crafted garments created for private clients and presented to the public every January and July.
Find vintage Louis Vuitton Neverfull bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024In fashion, “haute couture” means "high sewing" or "high dressmaking." Haute couture is French and refers to the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces by an esteemed fashion designer or house for a particular client.
Haute couture garments such as dresses are pieces of clothing constructed by hand from start to finish and are made with the highest quality materials. They are expertly created by firms that are official member organizations of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that regulates this segment of the fashion industry. Dior, Maison Margiela and Schiaparelli are some of fashion's universally revered haute couture houses. - 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024The difference between ready-to-wear and haute couture comes down to availability and pricing as well as whether or not the brand in question can assert haute couture status (this denomination is protected by law). Haute couture garments are crafted by maisons that are official member organizations of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is the governing body in France that regulates this segment of the fashion industry. Haute couture items are custom-made and individually tailored to fit the wearer. As a result, they sell for very high prices. Fashion houses produce ready-to-wear apparel on a much larger scale in a range of predetermined sizes and sell it at lower price points. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
The top of a wardrobe is called a clothes rack, which is reserved for hanging garments.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A freestanding wardrobe is called an armoire. Armoires have been around since medieval times, functioning initially as storage furniture for arms like swords. In modern times, these attractive case goods have a range of uses. Whether you're using your piece in the kitchen for cookware or as a food pantry, in the bedroom for clothes or in the living room as a media console, it will likely become a lovable focal point. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique and vintage armoires.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023You can use a variety of other things in place of a wardrobe. Armoires are a popular alternative. These case goods are usually bigger than wardrobes and have more ornate, decorative designs. You may also consider the chifferobe, which has a hanging area for clothing on one side and a chest of drawers on the other. Open clothes racks can also serve as a substitute for a wardrobe. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019
The difference between an almirah and a wardrobe is that an almirah is a type of wardrobe that originated in India. Typically made of wood and used to hold clothes and shoes, it can also be employed in a kitchen for storing small appliances and miscellaneous items or in an office for books and files.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Both a closet and a wardrobe are used for storing objects, but the former is a small room and the latter is a stand-alone piece of furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023People may have mirrored wardrobes for different reasons. Some may appreciate the convenience of being able to quickly check their appearance after dressing for an event or for going into the office for work. Others may appreciate how mirrors can make a room seem larger or simply maximize the amount of lighting in a given space. On 1stDibs, find a range of mirrored wardrobes.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
An armoire is a type of wardrobe. A wardrobe is a tall storage cabinet that usually has some combination of drawers, shelves and hanging rods. An armoire is freestanding, usually wooden and has one or two doors plus a hanging bar.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
An armoire is a type of wardrobe.
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