What is the symbolism of the silk dresses?

The symbolism of a silk dress is really a matter of individual interpretation. Some people associate silk dresses with wealth and status because silk is a luxury material, while others merely appreciate its enveloping texture and link it with softness and sensuality. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silk dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques.

Silk Summer Dresses

Floral Halter Dress

Yves Saint Laurent Print Dress

Vintage Givenchy Dress

Peach Dress

Green Evening Gown Long Sleeve

Grey Silk Evening Gowns

Short Silk Dresses

White Chiffon Dress

Yves Saint Laurent Silk Summer Dress

$495

Yves Saint Laurent Silk Summer Dress

By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent

Located in Geneva, CH

Summer mood with this vintage YSL flower print dress !

Category

1980s French Cocktail Dresses

$1,100

1920s Peach and Blue Silk Chiffon Floral Dress

Located in London, GB

This enchanting 1920s silk chiffon floral print dress is delightfully feminine and in absolutely beautiful condition for a piece of this era. The dress has a scoop neck at both front...

Category

1920s American Summer Dresses

1990s Perry Ellis Silk Rose Print Slip Dress

$900

1990s Perry Ellis Silk Rose Print Slip Dress

By Perry Ellis

Located in London, GB

Before his infamous 1992 “grunge” collection that resulted in his firing, Marc Jacobs’s work at Perry Ellis reflected a refined take on American sportswear infused with a youthful se...

Category

1990s Chinese Summer Dresses

1960s Mustard Paisley Silk Short-Sleeve Pleated Dress

$400

1960s Mustard Paisley Silk Short-Sleeve Pleated Dress

Located in London, GB

This timeless 1960s silk dress is crafted from a smooth silk and printed all-over with a classic paisley design updated for the era in vibrant mustard, aqua and coral-red hues. It ha...

Category

1960s American Summer Dresses

1970s Harry Algo Printed Green & White Silk Chiffon Dress

$995

1970s Harry Algo Printed Green & White Silk Chiffon Dress

By Harry Algo

Located in London, GB

In seafoam green and white, printed silk chiffon, the dress is cut to a simple shift silhouette, with darting below the bust and a neatly cinched waistline.

Category

1970s French Summer Dresses

$675

1960s Rainbow Watercolour Silk Floral Dress with Pleated Skirt

Located in London, GB

This unlabelled late 1960s British Couture silk summer dress has a super feminine silhouette with a nipped-in waist.

Category

1960s American Formal Wear

Christian Dior Spring Summer 2003 black silk skater dress

$2,824

Christian Dior Spring Summer 2003 black silk skater dress

By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior

Located in PARIS, FR

Beautiful Christian Dior black silk bodycon skater dress from the Spring Summer 2003 collection.

Category

Early 2000s Mini Dress

A romantic, bias-cut slip dress from Dior's Spring/Summer 2005 collection, designed by John Galliano.

Category

Early 2000s Evening Dresses

Recent Sales

Stunning Valentino floral printed silk summer dress

Unavailable

Size: 4-6

Stunning Valentino floral printed silk summer dress

By Valentino

Located in Toronto, ON

Stunning Valentino floral dress! Graphic floral print silk dress, with rouged shoulder details and front side sweep design. Tea length!!

Category

1970s Italian Casual Dresses

Unavailable

Size: Small

Edwardian (1890-1910) Apricot Charmeuse & Silk Chiffon Gown

Located in Oradell, NJ

This is an extraordinarily beautiful Edwardian (1890-1910)apricot charmeuse and silk chiffon gown with many hand-sewn details. The gown has capped sleeves with each sleeve being embe...

Category

20th Century Unknown Edwardian Summer Dresses

Sant' Angelo chiffon feathered bottom black silk crepe gown

Unavailable

Sant' Angelo chiffon feathered bottom black silk crepe gown

Located in New York, NY

This gown is a black silk crepe with a chiffon overlay and a feathered chiffon bottom of black, brown grey and white chiffon layers. The skinny straps and slip style dress make this...

Category

1970s American Summer Dresses

Unavailable

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1959 Black Silk Faille Coat Dress

By Christian Dior

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning Yves Saint Laurent era Christian Dior haute couture dress from the spring/summer of 1959. Black silk faille coat dress with belt.

Category

1950s French Day Dresses

Floral Frinted Chiffon Silk summer Dress inspired by Raoul Dufy Circa 1938-1940

Located in Toulon, FR

Circa 1938-1940 France Beautiful summer long dress in silk crepe muslin printed with large polychrome flowers (poppies?)

Category

1940s French Summer Dresses

Gianfranco Ferre black silk summer dress

Sold

Sold

Sold

Size: S

Moschino Leopard Print Silk A-line Swing Dress

By Moschino

Located in London, GB

Moschino Leopard Print Silk A-line Swing Dress Brown dress fully crafted from silk georgette and designed with all-over leopard print. Featuring A-line swing cut and a V-neckline w...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Summer Dresses

$3,400

$2,598

Size: 38

Yves Saint Laurent Long silk Haute Couture Dress

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Yves Saint Laurent - (Made in France) Long silk Haute Couture dress. No size label, it fits a 38FR. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Shoulder width...

Category

1970s French Maxi Dress

Yellow silk chiffon evening bustier dress Lorena Sarbu

$813

Size: XS

Yellow silk chiffon evening bustier dress Lorena Sarbu

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Yellow silk chiffon evening bustier dress. Boned bustier inside with padded bra with zip and hook&eye closure in the middle back. Hidden zip closure in the middle back on the dress....

Category

2010s Unknown Evening Dresses

Alessandra Rich Floral Print Silk Mini Dress with Sweetheart Neckline

$466Sale Price|40% Off

$989

Size: 2/4

1930s Creme and Green Floral Print Silk Chiffon Day Dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Vintage 30s creme, green, orange floral print silk day dress. Fit size 2/4

Category

1930s American Day Dresses

People Also Browsed

VERA WANG White Tulle & Lace Wedding Gown With Gathered Bustier Size 4 10K

By Vera Wang

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This Vera Wang wedding gown is composed of layers of white tulle and lace . The bodice features a gathered detailing with a boned interior and center back zipper closure. In excellen...

Category

20th Century American Wedding Dresses

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Silk Summer Dress", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Silk Summer Dresses For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an extraordinary variety of silk summer dresses available on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for black silk summer dresses and you’re unable to find the right fit, there are plenty of variations in beige, brown and more. If you’re looking for accessories from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find some that date back to the 18th Century while other versions may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Silk summer dresses such as these have likely been a part of the legacy of many fashion designers, but those produced by Christian Dior, John Galliano and Chanel are consistently popular. When shopping for these accessories, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men or unisex today than there are for women.

How Much are Silk Summer Dresses?

Prices for silk summer dresses can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $95,000, while these items, on average, fetch $1,996.

Finding the Right Clothing for You

Start building your collection of covetable and iconic vintage clothing today — no matter where you roam, there is a curated selection of designer dresses and gowns, sweaters, shirts, dazzling shoes and more on 1stDibs that will keep you covered in the hottest styles from head to toe.

From elegant museum-worthy vintage Chanel dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing for sale 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 John Galliano and Roberto Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures.

Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino, Ralph Lauren 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 Balmain endure for haute couture advocates and beyond.

And vintage is the name of the game on today’s red carpets, too. Celebrity stylists are turning to archival pieces created by the likes of Bob Mackie, Thierry Mugler and Jean-Paul Gaultier as alternatives to new gowns plucked straight off the runway. Wearing such sought-after items gives celebrities instant allure and suggests a personal style that’s not only achingly glamorous but intellectually informed and influenced by a love of craftsmanship.

Those seeking contemporary luxury looks and in-demand street-style fits can indulge in designs by Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Loro Piana, while pieces from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace endure as examples of fashion’s most covetable goods.

The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing. Find vintage clothing and accessories for sale on 1stDibs, including designs by Balenciaga, Valentino, Celine, Loewe and more.

Questions About Silk Summer Dresses

What is the symbolism of the silk dresses?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
The symbolism of a silk dress is really a matter of individual interpretation. Some people associate silk dresses with wealth and status because silk is a luxury material, while others merely appreciate its enveloping texture and link it with softness and sensuality. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of silk dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques.

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.