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Vintage Day Dresses 1940

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1940s White Satin Wedding Dress with Train
1940s White Satin Wedding Dress with Train

1940s White Satin Wedding Dress with Train

Located in London, GB

over the finger, or held by the bridal procession to elevate the fabric. This dress presents very

Category

1940s British Vintage Bridal Gowns

Vintage 1940s  Day Dress
Vintage 1940s  Day Dress

Vintage 1940s Day Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty vintage day dress from the 1940s. The dress is in a mixture of grey, cream and red and has

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage Blue 1940s Day Dress
Vintage Blue 1940s Day Dress

Vintage Blue 1940s Day Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty blue crepe dress with embroidery detail on the bust area and waist. The fabric is a pretty

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage 1940s Linen Print Day Dress
Vintage 1940s Linen Print Day Dress

Vintage 1940s Linen Print Day Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty vintage day dress from the 1940s. The dress has a white background, with crimson, blue

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage 1940's Apricot Silk Day Dress Size 2 4
Vintage 1940's Apricot Silk Day Dress Size 2 4

Vintage 1940's Apricot Silk Day Dress Size 2 4

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This dress is composed of an apricot hue silk. Features sheer lace inserts, front pockets, and

Category

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

Vintage 1940's Burgundy Corduroy Dress UK 8 US 4
Vintage 1940's Burgundy Corduroy Dress UK 8 US 4

Vintage 1940's Burgundy Corduroy Dress UK 8 US 4

Located in Nashville, TN

This wonderful 1940's dress rendered in a deep shade of Bordeaux corduroy, is just the piece to

Category

1940s Day Dresses

1940’s Black and Floral Peplum Shirt Rayon Tea Dress
1940’s Black and Floral Peplum Shirt Rayon Tea Dress

1940’s Black and Floral Peplum Shirt Rayon Tea Dress

Located in London, GB

This desirable original unlabelled 1940’s day dress in black rayon with a pretty pink and yellow

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

Vintage 1940's Yellow Silk Dress with Lace Inserts Size 2
Vintage 1940's Yellow Silk Dress with Lace Inserts Size 2

Vintage 1940's Yellow Silk Dress with Lace Inserts Size 2

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This dress is composed of a yellow hue silk. Features sheer lace inserts, front pockets, and center

Category

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

Vintage 1940's Navy Blue Silk Suzy Perette Dress UK 10 US 6
Vintage 1940's Navy Blue Silk Suzy Perette Dress UK 10 US 6

Vintage 1940's Navy Blue Silk Suzy Perette Dress UK 10 US 6

By Suzy Perette

Located in Nashville, TN

dress, is just the piece to welcome to your vintage collection. The elegant shawl cut lapels, contour

Category

1940s Casual Dresses

Vintage 1940s Dress and Bolero
Vintage 1940s Dress and Bolero

Vintage 1940s Dress and Bolero

Located in London, GB

A pretty vintage dress from the 1940s. In a floral print of brown , yellow, green and beige, the

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage 1940s Apple Print Dress
Vintage 1940s Apple Print Dress

Vintage 1940s Apple Print Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty Summer dress from the 1940s. The dress has an interesting double collar and button detail

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

1940s Vintage Heart Print Tea Dress
1940s Vintage Heart Print Tea Dress

1940s Vintage Heart Print Tea Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty and easy to wear vintage tea dress from the 1940s. The dress has a button front with elbow

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage Cotton Dress and Bolero  Jacket
Vintage Cotton Dress and Bolero  Jacket

Vintage Cotton Dress and Bolero Jacket

Located in London, GB

A pretty summer outfit, a long vintage cotton dress and matching bolero. The dress is in a pretty

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Green and Black Vintage Summer Dress
Green and Black Vintage Summer Dress

Green and Black Vintage Summer Dress

Located in London, GB

A great vintage sundress in a bright emerald green fabric with black and white stripes, and white

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Junior Guild Original Dress, Circa 1940s
Junior Guild Original Dress, Circa 1940s

Junior Guild Original Dress, Circa 1940s

Located in Brooklyn, NY

vintage cocoa brown rayon crepe dress. sheath silhouette. bracelet sleeves. fluttering cape style

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS
VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS

VINTAGE 1940s BIAS-CUT VELVET FUR-TRIMMED DRESS

Located in New York, NY

This vintage 1940s bias-cut velvet dress is the black velvet dress your wardrobe is missing— it is

Category

1940s Maxi Dresses

1940s Novelty Print Colouful Rayon Patchwork Dress
1940s Novelty Print Colouful Rayon Patchwork Dress

1940s Novelty Print Colouful Rayon Patchwork Dress

Located in London, GB

length sleeves are ruched and gathered by hand. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. Due to

Category

1940s British Day Dresses

Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué
Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué

Vintage 1940s Velvet Two-Piece Dress with Rose Appliqué

Located in New York, NY

the time, as store-bought dresses at all were not all that readily available. It's made of black

Category

1940s Aesthetic Day Dresses

Vintage 1940s Black & White Stripe Tea Dress
Vintage 1940s Black & White Stripe Tea Dress

Vintage 1940s Black & White Stripe Tea Dress

Located in London, GB

A fun and easy to wear black and white stripe dress from the late 1940s or early 1950s. The dress

Category

1940s Tea Gowns

1940s Pink and Green Rayon Floral Tea Dress
1940s Pink and Green Rayon Floral Tea Dress

1940s Pink and Green Rayon Floral Tea Dress

Located in London, GB

This pretty 1940s rayon midi dress is printed with repeat florals in bright violet, emerald green

Category

1940s American Casual Dresses

1940s Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon Dress
1940s Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon Dress

1940s Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon Dress

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Vintage Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon Cocktail Dress with purple sequins. Perfect dress for

Category

1940s American Cocktail Dresses

1940s L'Aiglon Heraldic Style Novelty Print Rayon Dress
1940s L'Aiglon Heraldic Style Novelty Print Rayon Dress

1940s L'Aiglon Heraldic Style Novelty Print Rayon Dress

Located in London, GB

dropped waistband. The dress is unlined. In excellent vintage condition, particularly for a piece of

Category

1940s American Casual Dresses

1940s Floral Cold Rayon and Navy Crepe Shirt Volup Dress
1940s Floral Cold Rayon and Navy Crepe Shirt Volup Dress

1940s Floral Cold Rayon and Navy Crepe Shirt Volup Dress

Located in London, GB

It is unusual to come across an original vintage rayon and crepe dress from the 1940s in a rare

Category

1940s American Casual Dresses

1940s Haute Couture Black Silk Dress
1940s Haute Couture Black Silk Dress

1940s Haute Couture Black Silk Dress

Located in London, GB

this period. The dress is in remarkable vintage condition, especially for a garment of its age and

Category

1940s French Formal Wear

1940s Novelty Ship Print Pastel Coloured Rayon Dress
1940s Novelty Ship Print Pastel Coloured Rayon Dress

1940s Novelty Ship Print Pastel Coloured Rayon Dress

Located in London, GB

This charming 1940s pastel toned shirt dress is in beautiful vintage condition and has a feminine

Category

1940s American Formal Wear

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Day Dress
Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Day Dress

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Day Dress

Located in Topanga, CA

Navy blue 40's day dress with small white and hot pink flower motif. Debbie Harry

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection Cotton Eyelet Dress
Debbie Harry Vintage Collection Cotton Eyelet Dress

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection Cotton Eyelet Dress

Located in Topanga, CA

Beautiful pink and purple eyelet cotton 40's day dress. Easy fit, hits below the knee.

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Floral Dress
Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Floral Dress

Debbie Harry Vintage Collection 40's Floral Dress

Located in Topanga, CA

!940's floral print dress with lightly layered gathering at the waist and ties at back. Hits just

Category

1940s American Day Dresses

Late 1940s Red Print Dress
Late 1940s Red Print Dress

Late 1940s Red Print Dress

Located in New York, NY

Vintage late 40s early 50s French red print dress. Decorative silver buttons, adorable print

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Norman Hartnell floral dress, circa 1949
Norman Hartnell floral dress, circa 1949

Norman Hartnell floral dress, circa 1949

By Norman Hartnell

Located in London, GB

A wonderful example of the finest British haute couture by Norman Hartnell, this beautiful dress is

Category

1940s British Day Dresses

Vintage 1940's Magenta Knitted Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8
Vintage 1940's Magenta Knitted Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8

Vintage 1940's Magenta Knitted Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8

Located in Nashville, TN

This incredible 1940's magenta knitted dress, rendered in a multitude of different knitted stitches

Category

1940s Day Dresses

1940’s Navy Dress With Floral Print and Beading
1940’s Navy Dress With Floral Print and Beading

1940’s Navy Dress With Floral Print and Beading

Located in London, GB

Really stylish and fun asymmetrically cut 1940’s day dress. Made in a beautifully soft navy silky

Category

1940s Day Dresses

A vintage 1940s floral printed autumnal day dress small
A vintage 1940s floral printed autumnal day dress small

A vintage 1940s floral printed autumnal day dress small

Located in London, GB

A lovely vintage 1940s printed autumnal dress with a pretty grape and berry print throughout, with

Category

1940s Unknown Casual Dresses

Vintage Brown 1940s Dress
Vintage Brown 1940s Dress

Vintage Brown 1940s Dress

Located in London, GB

A pretty dress from the 1940s. The dress has a shawl collar, side zip opening, gathering at the

Category

1940s Unknown Day Dresses

Vintage 1940's Silk CC41 Hand-Painted Dress UK 8 US 4
Vintage 1940's Silk CC41 Hand-Painted Dress UK 8 US 4

Vintage 1940's Silk CC41 Hand-Painted Dress UK 8 US 4

Located in Nashville, TN

This truly breathtaking 1940's black crepe silk CC41 dress, with a hand painted and printed

Category

1940s Casual Dresses

Vintage 1940s CC41 Dress with Contrasting Panels
Vintage 1940s CC41 Dress with Contrasting Panels

Vintage 1940s CC41 Dress with Contrasting Panels

Located in London, GB

A lovely CC41 dress from the 1940s. The dress has short sleaves, and a round collar with a popper

Category

1940s British Day Dresses

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Vintage Day Dresses 1940 For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the vintage or contemporary vintage day dresses 1940 you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Black is a pretty popular color, but we also have Gray, Beige, Brown and more in stock now. If you’re looking for a vintage day dresses 1940 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. There have been many well-made iterations of this accessory over the years, but those made by Claire McCardell, Stefney and Adele Simpson are often thought to be among the most stylish. 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 Vintage Day Dresses 1940?

Prices for a vintage day dresses 1940 can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $212 and can go as high as $1,500, while, on average they fetch $395.

Finding the Right Day-dresses for You

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.

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