Skip to main content

Shelf Bust Dress

1950s Dress Black Embroidered Shelf Bust Taffeta Party Dress
1950s Dress Black Embroidered Shelf Bust Taffeta Party Dress

1950s Dress Black Embroidered Shelf Bust Taffeta Party Dress

Located in Wallkill, NY

Vintage Dress with Layers of Tulle. Measurements taken Laying flat Dress 34 Bust** 26 Waist** Open Hips

Category

1950s American Evening Dresses

Bill Tice Vintage 1970s Hand Painted Blue Maxi Halter Dress
Bill Tice Vintage 1970s Hand Painted Blue Maxi Halter Dress

Bill Tice Vintage 1970s Hand Painted Blue Maxi Halter Dress

By Bill Tice

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful vintage 1970s Bill Tice hand painted dress. Shelf bust, spaghetti straps, and adjustable

Category

1970s American Maxi Dresses

Recent Sales

Karl Lagerfeld Evening Dress with Shelf Bust
Karl Lagerfeld Evening Dress with Shelf Bust

Karl Lagerfeld Evening Dress with Shelf Bust

By Karl Lagerfeld

Located in Yucca Valley, CA

Excellent 1990s Karl Lagerfeld evening dress with shelf bust. Super sleek on right on trend for

Category

20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Vintage 1950's Ceil Chapman Beaded Baby-Blue Silk Ruched Shelf-Bust Dress
Vintage 1950's Ceil Chapman Beaded Baby-Blue Silk Ruched Shelf-Bust Dress

Vintage 1950's Ceil Chapman Beaded Baby-Blue Silk Ruched Shelf-Bust Dress

By Ceil Chapman

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

ruched shelf-bust with wide scoopneck. I especially love the hourglass nipped-waist tailored skirt which

Category

1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

2002 Alexander McQueen Corset Shelf-Bust Lace & Chiffon Cocktail Dress
2002 Alexander McQueen Corset Shelf-Bust Lace & Chiffon Cocktail Dress

2002 Alexander McQueen Corset Shelf-Bust Lace & Chiffon Cocktail Dress

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

schoolgirls. I love the ruched shelf-bust bodice with slight flutter cap-sleeves. The lace-up detailing is so

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses

Vintage 1950's Black Silk Shelf Bust Deadstock Wiggle Dress
Vintage 1950's Black Silk Shelf Bust Deadstock Wiggle Dress

Vintage 1950's Black Silk Shelf Bust Deadstock Wiggle Dress

Located in Hudson on the Saint Croix, WI

vintage 1950's dress * black silk dupioni * acetate lining * amazing ruche bodice and hips

Category

1950s Cocktail Dresses

1950's Ruby-Red Beaded Satin Shelf-Bust Halter Cocktail Dress
1950's Ruby-Red Beaded Satin Shelf-Bust Halter Cocktail Dress

1950's Ruby-Red Beaded Satin Shelf-Bust Halter Cocktail Dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

, pleated shelf-bust halter. My favorite part is the sparkling beadwork which really catches the eye! The

Category

1950s French Cocktail Dresses

1950's Black Embroidered-Swirl Taffeta Shelf-Bust Full Party Dress
1950's Black Embroidered-Swirl Taffeta Shelf-Bust Full Party Dress

1950's Black Embroidered-Swirl Taffeta Shelf-Bust Full Party Dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

seductive low-cut plunge, pleated sweetheart shelf-bust. I adore the hourglass nipped-waist which was the

Category

1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

1950's Alfred Shaheen Metallic Floral Print Shelf-Bust Long Gown
1950's Alfred Shaheen Metallic Floral Print Shelf-Bust Long Gown

1950's Alfred Shaheen Metallic Floral Print Shelf-Bust Long Gown

By Alfred Shaheen

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

accents. I adore the low-cut plunge, sweetheart bodice with built-in boned shelf-bust. The hourglass

Category

1940s Maxi Dresses

1940's Royal-Blue Embroidered Chiffon Shelf-Bust Evening Gown
1940's Royal-Blue Embroidered Chiffon Shelf-Bust Evening Gown

1940's Royal-Blue Embroidered Chiffon Shelf-Bust Evening Gown

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

the time. The bodice is an alluring low-cut plunge shelf-bust. I love the flattering hourglass nipped

Category

1940s French Evening Dresses

2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Beaded Ivory Silk Shelf-Bust Hourglass Gown
2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Beaded Ivory Silk Shelf-Bust Hourglass Gown

2008 Christian Dior by John Galliano Beaded Ivory Silk Shelf-Bust Hourglass Gown

By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

meticulously tailored clothes. This gown is everything you look for in Galliano era Dior. The flattering shelf

Category

Early 2000s French Wedding Dresses

1950s Blums Voque Silk Cocktail Dress
1950s Blums Voque Silk Cocktail Dress

1950s Blums Voque Silk Cocktail Dress

Located in Chicago, IL

not separate form the dress Shelf bust Dress is in exceptional condition

Category

1950s Unknown Cocktail Dresses

People Also Browsed

Victor Costa Strapless Dress
Victor Costa Strapless Dress

Victor Costa Strapless Dress

By Victor Costa

Located in Alford, MA

One of Victor Costa's best designs, this strapless cocktail/evening dress is fashioned of white satin and black velvet alternating horizontal stripes with fitted bodice leading to an...

Category

Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns

1950s Vintage Brown + Beige Wool Blazer Jacket Size XS
1950s Vintage Brown + Beige Wool Blazer Jacket Size XS

1950s Vintage Brown + Beige Wool Blazer Jacket Size XS

Located in Sparks, NV

Darling vintage early-1950s blazer jacket in a beige and brown woven wool. Fully lined with front button closure. Light shoulder pads are sewn in underneath the lining. This has a ju...

Category

1950s American Blazers

Chic 1960s Metallic Hunter Green + Mint Cowl Neck Vintage 60s Mod Shift Dress
Chic 1960s Metallic Hunter Green + Mint Cowl Neck Vintage 60s Mod Shift Dress

Chic 1960s Metallic Hunter Green + Mint Cowl Neck Vintage 60s Mod Shift Dress

Located in San Diego, CA

Tres Chic early 1960s forest green and light green metallic cowl neck shift dress! Beautiful vibrant green goes great with practically any skin tone! Oversize exaggerated collar, and...

Category

1960s American Cocktail Dresses

Black Beaded Cardigan
Black Beaded Cardigan

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Cardigans

Early 1990s Michael Kors Red Stretch Cotton Ribbed Halter Dress
Early 1990s Michael Kors Red Stretch Cotton Ribbed Halter Dress

Early 1990s Michael Kors Red Stretch Cotton Ribbed Halter Dress

By Michael Kors

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This body-hugging halter dress was designed by Michael Kors for his mainline in the early 1990's. It is crafted from a cotton blend in a ribbed knit with a bodycon fit. The minimalis...

Category

1990s Cocktail Dresses

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Camisole and Skirt Set
Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Camisole and Skirt Set

Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Camisole and Skirt Set

By John Galliano, Christian Dior

Located in Water Mill, NY

A fabulous 2 piece set in white lace from Christian Dior. It consists of a scoop neck camisole tank style top and straight midi length skirt in alternating lines of lace and sheer. ...

Category

Early 2000s French Day Dresses

1980s Escada Vintage Black + White Polka Dot Striped Print Strapless Dress
1980s Escada Vintage Black + White Polka Dot Striped Print Strapless Dress

1980s Escada Vintage Black + White Polka Dot Striped Print Strapless Dress

By Escada Margaretha Ley, Amen Wardy

Located in Sparks, NV

Vintage 1980s black and white strapless tube dress by Margaretha Ley for Escada with a polka dot and stripe print. Fully lined with rear zip closure. The marked size is 34, and the d...

Category

1980s German Cocktail Dresses

John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress

John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress

By Christian Dior, John Galliano

Located in Water Mill, NY

A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...

Category

1990s Italian Day Dresses

1920's Sequined Flapper Capelet
1920's Sequined Flapper Capelet

1920's Sequined Flapper Capelet

Located in Geneva, CH

Rare and hard-to-find garment, this fantastic mid 20’s Art-Deco evening cape will go with just about everything ! Made of black tulle and thousands of hand-sewn sparkling silver sequ...

Category

1920s Unknown Capes

Christian Dior by John Galliano Purple Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 1998
Christian Dior by John Galliano Purple Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 1998

Christian Dior by John Galliano Purple Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 1998

By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior

Located in London, GB

▪ Christian Dior Evening Dress and Shawl Ensemble ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Spring-Summer 1998 ▪ Constructed from a deep purple hammered satin ▪ Scoop neckline design ▪...

Category

1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Handmade Sheer Navy Czech Glass Bead Tabard Flapper Dress, France - M-L, 1920s
Handmade Sheer Navy Czech Glass Bead Tabard Flapper Dress, France - M-L, 1920s

Handmade Sheer Navy Czech Glass Bead Tabard Flapper Dress, France - M-L, 1920s

Located in Tucson, AZ

Exceptional in every way, from its unheard-of larger size to the intricacy of its beadwork. The tying tabard-style skirt offers adjustability, while the deep navy color differentiate...

Category

1920s French Cocktail Dresses

1940s Orchid Print Rayon Crepe Dress W/ Dramatic Orchid Corsage
1940s Orchid Print Rayon Crepe Dress W/ Dramatic Orchid Corsage

1940s Orchid Print Rayon Crepe Dress W/ Dramatic Orchid Corsage

Located in Gresham, OR

1940s Orchid print rayon crepe dress: Large-scale orchid print makes this fabulous V-neck dinner dress really pop! Long sleeves and a sarong-style pleated and gathered panel at sid...

Category

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 “Eye” Runway Red Black Leather Cut Out Vest Jacket
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 “Eye” Runway Red Black Leather Cut Out Vest Jacket

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 “Eye” Runway Red Black Leather Cut Out Vest Jacket

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Thiensville, WI

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2000 “Eye” Runway Red Black Leather Cut Out Vest Jacket Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 2000 “Eye” Runway look #50 Style...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Vests

Giorgio Armani 1990s 90s Vintage Khaki / Light Green Herringbone Blazer Jacket
Giorgio Armani 1990s 90s Vintage Khaki / Light Green Herringbone Blazer Jacket

Giorgio Armani 1990s 90s Vintage Khaki / Light Green Herringbone Blazer Jacket

By Giorgio Armani

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautifully tailored vintage Giorgio Armani blazer! This fitted blazer is a khaki/ on the verge of light green, with herringbone print throughout. Two pockets at each side of the wai...

Category

1990s Italian Blazers

VivienneWestwood HandCut Moire CorsetStyle Velvet Red EveningCocktail Dress 1998
VivienneWestwood HandCut Moire CorsetStyle Velvet Red EveningCocktail Dress 1998

VivienneWestwood HandCut Moire CorsetStyle Velvet Red EveningCocktail Dress 1998

By Vivienne Westwood Gold Label, Vivienne Westwood

Located in Chicago, IL

Vivienne Westwood (1941-2022) designed this corset-style hourglass-shaped red velvet evening cocktail dress with its outsized double bow and sheer moire faux-underlay while producing...

Category

1990s British Evening Dresses

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Shelf Bust Dress", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Shelf Bust Dress For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact vintage or contemporary shelf bust dress you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Many people prefer Black, but fashion is all about individuality — you can find Brown, Red and more options on these pages. If you’re looking for a shelf bust dress from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing accessory such as this — no matter the origin — is easy, but Ceil Chapman, Alfred Shaheen and Don Loper each produced a popular version that is worth a look. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Shelf Bust Dress?

The price for a shelf bust dress starts at $295 and tops out at $3,500, and on average, selling for $688.

Finding the Right Evening-dresses for You

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.

Read More

Barbra Streisand Channeled Klimt’s ‘Woman in Gold’ in This Shimmering Dress

Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.

A Chanel Obsessive’s Cache Extends Well beyond Her Walk-In Closet

From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.

Behind the 1970s and ’80s Glam of ‘Halston’ with the Hit Show’s Costume Designer

Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)

A Short History of Capri Pants, on the 100th Birthday of Their Inventor

Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.

How the Chanel Jacket Forever Changed What Women Wear

The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.

A Pair of Shoes — Heels or Flats — Can Tell an Impactful Story

Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.

You Saw It at the Met Ball. Here’s What Camp Fashion Is Really About

This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.

The V&A Takes a Fresh Look at the New Look’s Pioneering Progenitor, Christian Dior

Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.