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Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

British, 1928-1995

With simple, classic designs, Jean Muir became known as the doyenne of British fashion, counting such luminaries as Princess Alexandra, Glenda Jackson and Lauren Bacall as clients. Similar to Diane von Furstenberg and her signature wrap dresses, Muir was most famous for the matte jersey dresses she initially designed for herself. Born in London, she got her fashion start at the age of 11 when she began designing her own clothing. Muir’s popular vintage dresses and gowns boast small shoulders, a slightly raised waist and a sheath-like skirt, perfect for someone with a petite frame like her own. In fact, Muir tried on every dress before it went into production.

The Jean Muir look — pared down, elegant and timeless — earned the designer an over 40-year-long career, which started in the stockroom at London’s famous Liberty luxury department store. Shortly after her stint in sorting inventory, she became a sketcher in the store’s made-to-measure department. After working as a designer for Jaeger, she was hired by dress manufacturer David Barnes in 1962. There, her jersey designs were so popular she was given her own label: Jane & Jane. She soon caught the attention of a buyer who brought her to Henri Bendel, where her career soared. Just four years after joining Jane & Jane, she started Jean Muir Ltd. with her husband, Harry Leuckert, a German actor.

During her long career, Muir never strayed from her signature long, fluid lines and feminine silhouettes that were especially flattering when the wearer moved. The jersey gave the dresses an architectural appearance and a flexibility in the designs as, unlike silk, the material doesn’t have to be hand-sewn or lined, nor do the edges need to be lined up and bound together to appear neat. Muir was particularly drawn to the simplicity of navy and black fabric, with topstitching giving even the most minimal styles some flair. Although jersey dominated her looks, she also worked with her team of expert craftspeople to punch patterns in suede, create draped textures with leather, tailor wool crepe, paint patterns on cashmere and stitch dramatic layers of tiered silk.

After her death, Muir’s team continued creating her beloved day dresses and evening gowns for another 12 years, carrying on her legacy. In 2007, the label closed, although the vintage dresses are enduringly popular with those seeking refinement and elegance in modern designs.

Find a collection of Jean Muir evening dresses, suits, jackets and other garments on 1stDibs.

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Designer: Jean Muir
Jean Muir Dress Documented 1971 Rare
By Jean Muir
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This Dress just takes my breath away! It is one of my favorites from Jean Muir. The fabric with a moire effect has incredible drape, that just flows and moves with your body. Empir...
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1970s Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Jean Muir Long Dress Black Jersey Asymmetric Hem with Plunge Neckline Vintage
By Jean Muir
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Fabulous Jean Muir! This understated yet stunning long maxi dress features Muir's signature design elements: flowing jersey fabric, tons of movement and figure-flattering constructio...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Vintage Jean Muir Mainline Black Cocktail / Dinner Dress
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage little black dress from Jean Muir , mainline. The dress is in a great quality viscose, and has a round neckline, and elbow length sleaves . It is unlined and has a 5'...
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1980s Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Jean Muir Cut out Maxi Dress 1970s
By Jean Muir
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black jersey full length dress gown from legendary British designer Jean Muir. This dress has lots of detail- cut outs at the shoulders, upper and mid back with shoulder d...
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1970s English Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

1970s Jean Muir Cotton Voile Black + Raspberry Pink Vintage 70s Maxi Dress
By Jean Muir
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1970s JEAN MUIR black and raspberry pink cotton voile long sleeve maxi dress ! I had this same dress a few years ago, and it sold almost instantly. Soft light weight cotton...
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1970s English Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Divine 1970s Jean Muir Pleated Chiffon Ivory Black Dots Layered dress
By Jean Muir
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The self-taught Jean Muir made her name in the 1960s, creating a reputation for exquisitely tailored timeless, feminine clothing. Having previously worked as a designer for the famous textile house, Liberty of London, Muir’s designs are extremely fluid and often incorporate simple jersey or suede fabrics with small craft details throughout. Of her work, Muir has noted that she is more concerned with the process of engineering garments to make “beautiful shapes” rather than designing clothes. Her pieces are held in museums worldwide and she has been hailed as the greatest dressmaker in the world, in a league with Madame Grès, Chanel, and Vionnet. Done in an ivory chiffon featuring a print of large and small black polka dots, this divine Jean Muir dress is effortless and regal at once. The gathered bodice begins with a high square neckline and layered sheer angel sleeves. The knife-pleated chiffon creates a pleasing rhythm throughout, adding another dimension to the layered flounces of the skirt and fluttering elbow-length sleeves. The skirt falls from a high fitted waist to a maxi length just above the ankles, creating a classic, elegant silhouette, while decorative black stitching at the neckline and waist adds a note of refined elegance. Size estimate: SML/MED Measurements: Bust: 34 inches Waist: 28 inches Hips: up to 38 inches Length: 54 inches From the bust waistline, a layer of chiffon creates a long, knee-length flounce, bringing a fullness to the otherwise columnar structure of the dress. The hems of the sleeves and both layers of the skirt are edged in black silk, adding a nice contrast of texture along with striking pop of color. An excellent choice for a wedding or special occasion, this Jean Muir dress has stunning proportions and can easily be worn as a day-to-night look. This vintage Jean Muir dress...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Vintage Jean Muir for Fortnum and Mason Black Dress with Decorative Buttons
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear vintage dress by Jean Muir for Fortnum and Mason . The dress has decorative buttons, and is in a moire effect fabric. Size 10 UK , measurements: Bust 36/37''...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

1960s Jean Muir Silk Liberty Floral Print Dress with Scarf
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
This is a fine Jean Muir 1960s dress and matching tassel scarf and is without question, the best ensemble from this designer we have ever had in our collection. Early in her career, Muir worked with Liberty fabric and this striking psychedelic silk print could certainly be a Liberty design. It features a riot of bright purple, blue, orange, pink and green tones in a stylised paisley print. Each of the designs, contained in long rows of bands, is slightly different. The dress is a high shirtwaister design with an empire line bust, a low scoop neck and it fastens at the front with 18 fabric buttons and loops. There is a little upturned ruffle on the waistband and the skirt is gently gathered. The sleeves have a gathered cuff and upturned ruffle that echoes the waistline. The dress bodice is not lined; however, the skirt is lined in a quality pink viscose. Labelled a UK size 12, this is small in today's sizing and probably a better fit for a UK 8-10 or US 4-6. The accompanying scarf is a double thickness triangular shape with a row of hand tied purple tassels down one side. It is doubled sided with one print matching the dress while the other side is the same design but in a different colourway, focusing on blues, turquoises and orange. It's an absolutely beautiful piece worn alone or could could be styled either side to compliment or contrast the dress colourway. A very rare set indeed to find in superb vintage condition and from the very earliest part of Jean Muir's career. One for the serious collector, wearer of fine boho...
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1960s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Jean Muir Navy Layered Dress
By Jean Muir
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Navy maxi dress. Overlay detail. Longsleeve. Rear button closure. Viscose. Made in England. *Condition: great vintage condition. Light discoloration o...
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1980s Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

1970's Jean Muir Navy Rayon Jersey Maxi Dress
By Jean Muir
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Jean Muir navy rayon jersey long sleeve maxi dress from the 1970’s. Round neckline buttons down the front with a pin tucked bib detail. The banded waist gives the dress definition an...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

1970's Jean Muir Navy Blue Long Sleeve Gown
By Jean Muir
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's navy blue, long sleeve polyester jersey gown with a yoke and hand smocking through the shoulders and bust. Cuffs have two fabric covered buttons and the sleeves are over sized...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

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Early 1980s Jean Muir Black Rayon Jersey Cape Gown
By Jean Muir
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Jean Muir Jersey Maxi Dress with Sequined Embellishment
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1970's JEAN MUIR blue jersey dress with stars and moons
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Located in San Fransisco, CA
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Vintage Jean Muir Little Black Dress
By Jean Muir
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Jean Muir Red Viscose Jersey Dress, 1980s
By Jean Muir
Located in Port Hope, ON
A very nice red blue dress which hugs the body and end with soft draping at the bottom. The neckline is v-shaped; there are several asymmetrical stitche...
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A vintage 1970s electric blue and beaded evening gown by Jean Muir
By Jean Muir
Located in London, GB
A chic statement dress from Jean Muir. The dress is in a stunning electric blue colour with a matching belt. with interesting buckle. It has a button opening at the back and is embel...
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1970s British Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns

Jean Muir evening dresses and gowns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Jean Muir evening dresses and gowns available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of green, purple and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Jean Varon, Ossie Clark, and Burberry appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Jean Muir evening dresses and gowns from top boutiques around the world. Jean Muir evening dresses and gowns prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $372 and tops out at $2,000, while the average work can sell for $995.
Questions About Jean Muir Evening Dresses and Gowns
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 19, 2025
    Jean Muir was famous for her work in fashion. With simple, classic designs, she became known as the doyenne of British fashion, counting such luminaries as Princess Alexandra, Glenda Jackson and Lauren Bacall as clients. Similar to Diane von Furstenberg and her signature wrap dresses, Muir was most famous for the matte jersey dresses she initially designed for herself. Born in London, she got her fashion start at the age of 11 when she began designing her own clothing. Muir’s popular vintage dresses and gowns boast small shoulders, a slightly raised waist and a sheath-like skirt, perfect for someone with a petite frame like her own. In fact, Muir tried on every dress before it went into production. On 1stDibs, find a range of Jean Muir apparel and accessories.

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