$1,850
Size: none; comparable to size XS
Will Steinman New Look Pink Blue Strapless Back Bow Ballerina Dress - XS, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
label: Will Steinman Original size: no size tag present; comparable to modern size XS
Sold
Size: none; comparable to size S
Will Steinman Pink Strapless Asymmetrical Lace Wedding Ball Gown - Small, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
), 168” (taffeta slip) label: Will Steinman Original size: no size tag present; comparable to modern
Sold
Size: none; comparable to size XS
Will Steinman Strapless Gold Metallic Brocade Ball Gown w Rear Bow – XS, 1950s
By Will Steinman
Located in Tucson, AZ
: Mary Carter Original by Will Steinman size: no size tag present; comparable to modern size extra small
Thierry Mugler Red Jacket
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Capri, IT
Thierry Mugler Red Jacket silver tone zip and closure asymmetric style total lenght 74 cm shoulder to hem 37 cm
Alexander McQueen Leather Platform Boots with Studded Heart Motif
By Alexander McQueen
Located in US
Alexander McQueen Leather Platform Boots with Studded Heart Motif -- featured in black leather with the House's iconic gently curved heel with gold heart studding at the toes and aro...
Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 1998 Bodycon Backless Buckle Straps Knit Black Midi Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Naples, FL
Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 1998 Bodycon Backless Buckle Straps Knit Black Midi Dress IT 42
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2002 "Supercalifragilistic" Leather Buckle Pencil Skirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
DESCRIPTION: ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2002 "Supercalifragilistic" Leather Buckle Pencil Skirt Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn/Winter 2002 Designer: Alexande...
Versace S/S 2005 Runway Baroque Print Belted Wrap Dress
By Versace
Located in Naples, FL
Versace S/S 2005 Runway Baroque Print Belted Wrap Dress IT 40 Please see below the approximate measurements: Chest: 29-44" Waist: 25-27" Hips: 29-48" Length: 46" center back Arms fr...
1980s Celine Grey Wool Coat
By Celine
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980s grey wool Celine coat. Double breasted, with epaulets and cinched waist with a matching grey wool belt. Celine marked cream and grey plastic buttons. Excellent vintage conditio...
$1,200Sale Price|22% Off
Jacques Griffe Navy Blue Sequin Mini Dress & Bolero Circa 1960
By Jacques Griffe
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1960's haute couture Jacques Griffe spaghetti strap mini dress and matching short sleeve bolero with a hook and eye closure. Beautiful hand beaded sequins. Purple silk lining. Very s...
NEW Prada Black Exotic Skin Crocodile Platform High Heels Pumps 40.5
By Prada
Located in Switzerland, CH
A PRADA signature piece that will last you for years Pure luxury! A real statement piece With platform and very high heels - for ultra-long legs! The most luxurious skin you ...
1920S Black Silk Chiffon & Lace Art Deco Flapper Cocktail Dress
Located in New York, NY
1920S Black Silk Chiffon & Lace Art Deco Flapper Cocktail Dress
Hot Pants - Shorts & Wrap Maxi Skirt Mignon 1970s Black & White
By Mignon
Located in Wallkill, NY
Vintage Mignon One Piece Hot Pant with matching wrap maxi skirt. Large Black Floral Motif on a white background. Crochet Top Illusion lined at the shoulders, white backed from the Bu...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2007 Black Wool Geometric Paneled V-Neck Cocktail Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2007 Black Wool Geometric Paneled V-Neck Cocktail Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Designer: Alexander McQueen Collection: c.2007 Style: Sheath Dres...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2000 Denim Raw Hem Mid Rise Straight Leg Jeans
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2000 Denim Raw Hem Mid Rise Straight Leg Jeans Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Autumn / Winter 2000 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: St...
BILL BLASS c.1980's Black Crepe Dramatic Puff Sleeve Peplum Skirt Party Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in Thiensville, WI
BILL BLASS c.1980's Black Crepe Dramatic Puffed Sleeve Peplum Skirt Party Dress Circa: 1980’s Label(s): Bill Blass Collection III Designer: Bill Blass Style: Peplum dress Color(s):...
1960s Black Hand Crochet Italian Wool Dress
By Macy's
Located in Sparks, NV
Hand crocheted Italian wool dress by Macy Associates. Details: Fully Lined No Closure/ Fabric Contains Stretch Marked Size: 12 Estimated Size: M Color: Black Fabric: Not M...
$1,475
Size: Small / Medium
Rare Michaele Vollbracht Spring 1979 Abstract Print Bandeau Skirt Ensemble Dress
By Michaele Vollbracht
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and extremely chic Spring 1979 MICHAELE VOLLBRACHT abstract print cotton ensemble! Vollbracht only ran his fashion line from 1979 to 1985. This was from his first collection! Fe...
Vintage Versace Black & White Check Beaded Coat 1990-1991
By Gianni Versace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and unusual vintage Gianni Versace Atelier runway black and white 100% Lana wool check coat The coat features a double-breasted front with stunning red metal and crystal buttons...
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.