2007 Jenny Packham Teal Sequinned Slip Dress
By Jenny Packham
Located in London, GB
hook-and-eye clasp. From the mainline collection of the renowned British designer and occasion-wear
2007 Jenny Packham Teal Sequinned Slip Dress
By Jenny Packham
Located in London, GB
hook-and-eye clasp. From the mainline collection of the renowned British designer and occasion-wear
$995Sale Price|58% Off
Size: 36.5
Gucci 90th Anniversary Ad Runway Python Skakeskin Pump Heels Sz 36.5 $2425
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Worn One Time Minor Markings to Soles Only Gucci's 90th anniversary Fall Runway show, $2425 * Python Heels * Size: 36.5 * Purple & Orange Snakeskin Python * Adjustable A...
Gucci Belted Cutout Backless Dress Gown
By Gucci
Located in Naples, FL
Gucci Belted Cutout Backless Dress Gown IT 38 Gucci dress with cutout open back, belt accent at waist and concealed zip closure at back.
Valentino Top One Shoulder Ruffle and Bow Trim M
By Valentino
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a Valentino one shoulder top with ruffle and bow trim in silk. Black knit fitted top. Double layer black silk ruffle trims 'neckline'. Signature bow detail at the s...
Azzedine Alaia F/W 1986 Jacket Skirt and Pants Suit
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Water Mill, NY
An amazing iconic fine black wool 3 piece skirt, pant and jacket suit from Azzedine Alaia as displayed in SCAD Fashion Museum in Atlanta. The spectacular front wrapping jacket is a...
1960s Black Fringe Tassel Cocktail Dress
Located in University City, MO
1960s Black fringe tassel cocktail dress The chic retro cocktail dress is designed with contiguous stationary fringe that covers the bodice and back side The midsection is dis...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN pink LEATHER CROPPED BIKER Jacket 40
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
Alexander McQueen cropped biker jacket in pale pink textured calf leather. With epaulettes, buttoned notch collar, zipper pocket on the chest, buttoned flap pocket on the front, belt...
$2,795
Size: Small / Medium
Vintage Bob Mackie 1980s Plunge Low Back 80s Long Sleeve Evening Nightgown Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage 1980s BOB MACKIE for SAKS 5th AVENUE black and white plunging low back evening nightgown or evening gown! Features a sheer black and white mesh bodice, back and sleeves....
1981 Madame Gres Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Skirt & Blouse Ensemble w/Shoes
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
A 1981 Madame Gres haute couture dark scarlet silk taffeta skirt and blouse ensemble with matching high-heeled shoes size 6 1/2. Features the iconic Mme Gres gathered/balloon sleeve,...
Joy Stevens 1970s Pink Mauve Dusty Rose Long Sleeve Disco Vintage 70s Dress
By Joy Stevens
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s JOY STEVENS pink / mauve long sleeve jersey dress! Perfectly cut v-neck reveals just the right amount of cleavage. Simply slips over the head and ties in the back to fit a...
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Medium
Vintage Mollie Parnis 1970s Blue and White Novelty 70s Linen + Cotton Dress
By Mollie Parnis
Located in San Diego, CA
From the queen of dressing First Ladies, comes this wonderfully chic 1970s vintage MOLLIE PARNIS blue and white nautical linen/cotton dress ! Features the perfect linen/cotton blend ...
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Medium
Sylvia Ann 1970s Rose Print Pink Ivory Chiffon Vintage 70s Maxi Dress Gown
By SYLVIA ANN
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s SYLVIA ANN pink, ivory and green chiffon ruffled maxi dress / gown! Features rose bouquets in various sizes throughout. Flutter sleeves, with a flowy layer of chiffon drap...
1960s Lilly Pulitzer Op Art Splatter Paint Colorful Velvet Vintage Maxi Dress
By Lilly Pulitzer
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and rare 60s LILLY PULITZER colorful op-art print cotton velvet maxi dress! Features chevron prints in vibrant colors of blues, green and orange. Contrasting thin stripes in bla...
Vicky Tiel Draped Illusion and Matte Jersey Gown
By Vicky Tiel
Located in New York, NY
Vicky Tiel's chic and sexy draped stretch illusion gown on a matte jersey base. The illusion is ruched at shoulder and is gathered across bodice and releases to a gathered panel whic...
Chic 1960s Evon Besack Black Crepe + Velvet A - Line Vintage 60s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1960s EVON BESACK black crepe and velvet A-Line dress! Features a flattering square neck with a tailored bodice. Forgiving full skirt with intricate velvet details at hem. Full ...
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Small - Medium
Fabulous 1950s Gene Shelly's Fully Beaded Iridescent Paillettes Silk Blouse Top
By Gene Shelly
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous 1950s Gene Shelly's silk beaded top!!! Fully hand sewn Paillettes and seed beads throughout, with a full metal zipper on the back. A true work of art! 100% black silk. Extre...
Tom Ford for Gucci 2004 Collection Silk Stretch Black Brooch Dress It. 40
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Gucci Black Silk Stretch Cocktail Dress with Brooch 2004 Collection Designer size 40 - US 4 Black Stretch Silk Cocktail Dress, Black Crystals Removable Brooch with Gucc...
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.