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Vintage Shift Dress

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Vintage Multicolour Silk Shift Dress
Vintage Multicolour Silk Shift Dress

Vintage Multicolour Silk Shift Dress

Located in London, GB

A chic dress for Summer, a multicolour shift dress in blue, yellow and green. The dress is fully

Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Shift Dress

Vintage Ivory Raw Silk Shift Dress
Vintage Ivory Raw Silk Shift Dress

Vintage Ivory Raw Silk Shift Dress

Located in London, GB

A great vintage raw silk shift dress. The dress has wonderful sleeves, a button opening at the

Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Shift Dress

Vintage Susan Small Black Shift Dress
Vintage Susan Small Black Shift Dress

Vintage Susan Small Black Shift Dress

By Susan Small

Located in London, GB

A chic black vintage dress by Susan Small. The dress has attractive tucks on the front, a central

Category

1960s British Vintage Shift Dress

Liviana Conti Vintage Black Shift Dress
Liviana Conti Vintage Black Shift Dress

Liviana Conti Vintage Black Shift Dress

By Liviana Conti

Located in London, GB

A chic shift dress by Italian designer Liviana Conti. The dress has a scoop neckline , and is

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Shift Dress

Vintage Alberta Ferretti Green Sleeveless Grommet Shift Dress
Vintage Alberta Ferretti Green Sleeveless Grommet Shift Dress

Vintage Alberta Ferretti Green Sleeveless Grommet Shift Dress

By Alberta Ferretti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Alberta Ferretti bright green sleeveless shift

Category

1990s Italian Vintage Shift Dress

Vintage African Print , Ivory Coast Couture Shift Dress
Vintage African Print , Ivory Coast Couture Shift Dress

Vintage African Print , Ivory Coast Couture Shift Dress

Located in London, GB

A wonderful vintage cotton dress by Lumiere Couture of the Ivory Coast , Africa. The dress is in

Category

1960s Ivorian Vintage Shift Dress

Moschino Vintage Gray Beaded Crochet Lace Shift Dress, 1990s
Moschino Vintage Gray Beaded Crochet Lace Shift Dress, 1990s

Moschino Vintage Gray Beaded Crochet Lace Shift Dress, 1990s

By Moschino

Located in Sparks, NV

Vintage 1960s-inspired gray beaded crochet shift dress and matching slip by Moschino. Top layer is

Category

1990s Italian Vintage Shift Dress

A vintage 1970s abstract floral printed Shift day Dress
A vintage 1970s abstract floral printed Shift day Dress

A vintage 1970s abstract floral printed Shift day Dress

Located in London, GB

An easy to wear floral printed day dress. The dress is sleavless and has an elasticated waist

Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Shift Dress

Gianni Versace Couture Vintage 1990s 90s Color Block Wool Shift Dress
Gianni Versace Couture Vintage 1990s 90s Color Block Wool Shift Dress

Gianni Versace Couture Vintage 1990s 90s Color Block Wool Shift Dress

By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace

Located in Sparks, NV

Vintage Gianni Versace Couture label color block shift dress in purple, yellow and brown. Details

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Vintage Shift Dress

Comme des Garcons Vintage Black Avant Garde Patchwork Shift Dress
Comme des Garcons Vintage Black Avant Garde Patchwork Shift Dress

Comme des Garcons Vintage Black Avant Garde Patchwork Shift Dress

By Comme des Garçons

Located in Sparks, NV

Unique Comme des Garcons black shift dress with patchwork sides and painted "wet look" trim

Category

Late 20th Century Vintage Shift Dress

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Vintage Shift Dress For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the vintage or contemporary vintage shift dress you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Beige, Pink and more. Finding the perfect vintage shift dress may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions were made as early as the 20th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 20th Century, can also be found on the site. Making an accessory such as this has likely been a part of the legacy of many fashion designers, but those produced by Joseph Magnin Co., Karl Lagerfeld and Pauline Trigère 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 is a Vintage Shift Dress?

Prices for a vintage shift dress can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $200 and can go as high as $2,995, while, on average they fetch $695.

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.

Questions About Vintage Shift Dress
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025
    No single designer made the shift dress. Instead, the style evolved over time. Many fashion historians credit Coco Chanel's little black dress as an important precursor to the modern-day shift dress and Mary Quant for popularizing the style in the 1960s. Designer Lilly Pulitzer reinvented it with colorful, bold prints, while Yves Saint Laurent elevated it with a color block motif inspired by the painting Composition with Yellow, Red, Black, Blue, and Gray by Piet Mondrian. Explore a diverse assortment of shift dresses on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To tell if a dress is vintage, look at the labels inside. By researching the maker and looking at images of the brand's other designs, you may be able to estimate the age of your dress. The label may even have a date printed on it. Generally, clothing must be at least 20 years old to qualify as vintage. If you need assistance dating your clothing, a knowledgeable expert, such as an appraiser or vintage clothing reseller, can help. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of vintage dresses.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
    To tell how old a vintage dress is, use trusted online resources to conduct research. Start by searching for labels that identify the maker. Then, consult online information and images to determine when the brand produced pieces similar to yours. If you run into any problems or would like assistance, consult a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of vintage dresses.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    To be considered vintage, a wedding dress has to be at least 20 years old. Many brides opt for vintage wedding dresses due to their timeless style and unique details. Shop a range of vintage and designer wedding dresses from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.

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