Circa Vintage Evening Dresses and Gowns

One of the most exceptional, one of a kind, evening dresses we have ever had at Circa Vintage. Couture crafted in the Valentino atelier in Rome and designed by Valentino Garavani him...

This 1960s white lace dress was made by British label Jean Varon and is a beautiful example of the designer's penchant for romantic detailing, synonymous with his work during this er...

Original 1970s cotton midi dress by British boutique label Jon Adam. The dress has a very desirable novelty scenic print showcasing a Japanese woman picking fruit from a tree surroun...

Fine and rare Jean Varon spider cobweb dress which can be dated to the designer's 1973 collection. We have featured a very famous dress with the same cobweb design from the Septembe...

This stunning Valentino Boutique gown was designed as part of the Fall 1990 collection, when Mr Garavani was still at the helm of his eponymous fashion house. A dress with the same silhouette, but in green, walked the runway and is pictured here at the end of the presentation. In the same collection, Valentino showed a different style of dress in the same purple-hued ruched silk and lace. Since finding the runway images, we have realised that the detachable bow - photographed by us on the shoulder - can also sit at the waist, or wherever the wearer chooses. Beautifully crafted as only Valentino can, this floor-length gown is tailored from an iridescent silk chiffon that shines between shades of mauve and plum. Up close, the fabric is revealed to be woven with tiny threads of vibrant aqua-blue, which catch the light as the cloth ripples. The gown is cut to a one-shoulder silhouette and has a bustier top where the chiffon is heavily ruched, creating an organic ruffled texture and woven into panels which cross over at the front. The bustier top has a sweetheart neckline and is boned the whole way around, supporting the bust and cinching the waist. The skirt is multilayered and intricately detailed. The bottom layer is crafted from lilac lace and is detailed with flowers and metallic threads. This sits underneath a layer of sheer silk chiffon, revealing flashes of metallic cloth sparkling from underneath. The single strap is crafted from sheer chiffon and is adorned with a large frothy bow that falls elegantly over the shoulder. Vintage Valentino gowns...

During the 1960s and beyond, English fashion designer John Bates designed visionary modernist dresses under the name Jean Varon. This flamboyant 1970s maxi dress, with its floor-swee...

Delightful late 1950s or very early 1960s chiffon wedding dress with ruched fabric, a the body-hugging cut and wide circle skirt. It has a pretty sweetheart neckline, thick chiffon ...

German fashion brand Fink Modell was established in the 1960s and sold good quality clothing in European boutiques through to 1997. This is a late 1980s to early 1990s design tailore...

During the 1960s and beyond, English fashion designer John Bates designed visionary modernist dresses under the name Jean Varon. This flamboyant 1970s maxi-dress, with its floor-swee...

This high quality 1970s bright lilac evening dress was made by British label Trina Lewis and Marjon Couture at Baker Sportswear. The dress has a bustier top which is boned all the wa...

This 1960s glorious sunshine-yellow chiffon dress was made by Lee Delman in England; the label retailed in Harrods and sat in the top echelons of British ready to wear during the 195...

This 1990s cocktail length dress is crafted from the most fabulous shade of fuchsia silk satin fabric with a high-sheen finish. It has a playful halter-neckline and softly pleated bu...

This elegant cocktail dress was designed as part of Valentino’s 1983 Fall haute couture collection. Many high profile, couture clients request minor variations to runway looks and we...

This romantic 1930s pale blue 'cobweb lace' dress and jacket ensemble is tailored to ankle-length, the sleeveless dress is cut to a column silhouette. The dress has a rounded V-neckl...

Designed in the early 1970s, this haute couture ensemble, handmade in France, consists of an elegant slip dress and stunning beaded long jacket. It is reminiscent of elegant 1920s ev...

This Art Deco inspired printed midi dress was designed in the 1970s by celebrated British designer Jeff Banks although it is unlabelled. The dress was purchased with a large group of...

This fabulous vintage dress was couture crafted in London in the 1960s by English label Roter. It is tailored from turquoise net with an overlay of elaborate, swirling ribbon work la...

An outstanding 1970s French couture maxi dress which would make a grand statement at a formal event or summer party. It combines florals and stripes into a bold tonal pattern with th...

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...

Made in England, this 1970s Berkertex dress is crafted from a lightweight black and white polka-dot cotton gauze. Cut to a long-sleeve, high-neck silhouette, the flippy, pleated ski...

This 1970s chiffon midi-dress is by Rumak, the bohemian London boutique label that emulated the style and certainly the quality of celebrated British designer Thea Porter. An early e...

This true vintage 1930s ankle length gown is cut to a classic tea dress style in a midnight blue, almost black georgette with striking peach, mustard and pale blue-grey florals printed across it. Full of character with lovely period details, it is detailed with a cowl neckline and sweeping ruffle. The sleeves are sheer and join to a faux-cover up that is actually attached to the dress. This ties loosely at the front however the wearer wants it. The dress has a bias-cut column silhouette and falls gracefully to the ankle. It is lined with black crepe throughout, however the sleeves are not lined and are sheer. The only opening is the keyhole neckline at the rear so you need to be small enough to slip it on over your head. The dress is in very good antique condition, particularly for a garment of nearly 90 years of age. She is wearable with care and the following points to note: There are some rather charming patch repairs to the bottom of the hem, left sleeve and one on the body in various sizes. It was clearly a dearly loved dress and it's rather hard to spot them unless you go looking for them. They could be better sewn but I rather like them the way they are and so we left alone when we restored other parts of the dress - we photographed a few so you can see what we mean. The cuffs were very narrow so we have moved the poppers and this has left some small grazes to the fabric - minor. Wearable 1930s tea dresses...

Circa late 1990s wedding dress tailored from an ivory shot silk blend and made in England by the British label Margaret Lee. The romantic silhouette has a fun 1980s vibe but we are p...

This charming dress was designed by Edward Abbott in the 1960s and was a high-end ready to wear brand which retailed in the UK and US. It is tailored from a very fine quality cream l...

This navy cotton dress was made by L’Aignon in the 1950s - a very high quality American ready to wear brand sold in some of the best department stores in the US. They regularly adver...

This vibrant floral print dress was designed by Hanae Mori during the 1980s and displays many of the hallmarks of the era’s style. Tailored from crimson cotton printed with blown-up ...

This beautiful black lace slip dress was made in the 1930s. Gowns of this era are extremely collectable, particularly when they’re in such rare excellent condition and a generous siz...

This romantic gown was created by Dutch womenswear designer Michael Van Der Ham and walked the runway as part of the brand’s Spring 2014 ready-to-wear collection. Tailored from silk brocade in the most delicate pale pink - peach hue, it is textured with raised organic shapes which form interlaced circles across the cloth. It is cut to a generous, floaty maxi-length. It has halter-neck straps, as well as two shoulder straps, all cut from the same cloth. The halter secures at the back of the neck with a large silver-toned metal hook-and-eye clasp. There is a cropped top that sits over the rest of the dress. The waist of the dress is cinched and embellished with flowers and leaves formed from rhinestones, glass and silver-toned beads and tiny silver-toned rings. Below the waist, the skirt is softly pleated and then falls straight to the floor. The skirt is lined with pale peach matte silk. The top is backed with white cotton. The dress fastens under the left arm with a hidden tonal zip and four large hidden plastic snap closures. In excellent condition - there is a faint hem line which was raised and then let down again. It can only be seen in certain lights due to the properties of the fabric. No size or composition labels remain in the dress so please check our measurements below. The fabric has no stretch and we estimate a good fit for sizes up to a UK 8 or US 4 on account of the small waist. Notes on Designer: Michael van der Ham graduated from prestigious Central Saint Martins with a double award winning graduate collection and worked at Sophia Kokosalaki...

This crimson red maxi dress is an early design by Singaporean fashion designer, Benny Ong, for London label Perlei’s highly collectable 1970s line Mushroom. Ong’s private clients for...

This sensational 1960s structured silk gown in deep coral pink is by celebrated ready to wear designer Frank Usher. This elegant piece features a show-stopping full length train at t...

This incredible ensemble walked the runway for Bill Blass for the spring / summer 1988 collection and was worn by the super model Iman Bowie. Comprising a strapless dress and heavily...

This outstanding 1930s vibrantly printed maxi dress is one of the best we have ever had in Circa's collection. From France and made to couture standards, the fabric is wonderful; tai...

This magnificent 1970s coat dress was likely bespoke made and came from the wardrobe of a titled socialite along with some other fabulous couture garments. It is crafted from the fin...

This summery early 1960s two-piece ensemble is composed of a shift-dress and the long-sleeve jacket which sits over it. It is of excellent manufactured quality and most likely made f...

A very pretty French couture made 1970s dress, tailored from a mousseline (French for muslin) cotton. The notable print design is a delightful floral pattern in ombré purple-to-lilac...

We love a novelty print dress at Circa, especially from cult vintage French ready-to-wear brand Chacok. This dress was mostly likely designed in the early to mid 1980s at the height ...

This sensational early 1960s emerald green chiffon dress is of superb quality and has absolutely beautiful construction. Made in France and proba...

This playful daytime dress was designed by occasion wear designer Joan Leslie in the 1980s. It offers a highly wearable take on the 1940s novelty print. Set against a cream backgroun...

This pretty 1950s cotton summer dress was designed by Josselyne of Paris. There is something very contemporary about the design: the pristine white cotton detailed with peekaboo eyel...

Made in the USA, this vivacious dress was designed by Susan Friar in the early 1980s. Beloved for her outlandish prints during this era, this dress showcases bold purple, green, sket...

This striking 1970s maxi dress was designed by French couturier Paul-Louis Orrier. The designer’s cutting edge designs rose to prominence during the 1970s and 1980s when he dressed E...

This floaty black maxi-dress is by celebrated London boutique Quorum and I'm almost certain that this is an Ossie Clark boutique piece. Quorum was a legendary fashion boutique in the...

This full-length evening dress was designed by Stella McCartney for Chloé and appeared on the runway in black as part of the brand’s Spring 1999 collection (look 56/77). McCartney se...

The House of Emanuel Ungaro was founded in 1965 after the designer's brief stint working for both Cristobal Balenciaga and Andre Courreges. Ungaro was known for his lively prints and...

This glittering maxi gown was created by an unknown designer during the late 1960s. It is fabulous quality and American made for a high-end boutique or one of the top department sto...

This very early 1970s lace maxi dress was made by British label Jean Varon and is a beautiful example of the designer's penchant for romantic detailing, synonymous with his work duri...

This early 1960s sequin and beaded dress was designed by Boutique by Jo Ro Imports. Crafted to the highest quality, it is tailored from rayon fabric and ...

This striking, a-line maxi gown was designed by Madelyn Modes for Fredericks Freeport during the late 1960s to early 1970s. The fabric is mesmerising; a stiffened tangerine manmade ...

Made in England, this playful summer dress was designed by Gina Fratini in the mid to late 1980s, making this was of the last designs of her career. Gina was renowned for her romanti...

This is a very fine example of late 1950s ready to wear evening wear by British designer Norman Young who made high end occasion wear for department stores and specialist boutiques d...

Emma Domb was a San Francisco-based fashion designer who co-founded the Domb Manufacturing Company in 1939 with her daughter, Lorraine. The brand became known for its ultra-feminine ...

This late 1960s to early 1970s maxi dress is tailored from a vibrant turquoise linen and silk mix cloth and cut to a graceful empire-line silhouette. It has wide shoulder straps and ...

This spectacular Y2K lamé top and skirt ensemble were couture crafted by Manfred Thierry Mugler circa 1998 to 2001. Designed by the master of empowering, hyper-feminine tailoring, the ensemble twists around the body in a manner that recalls Grecian draping and the fluid, glittering designs that the patrons of 1970s nightclub Studio 54 wore on the dancefloor...

This Zac Posen dress walked the runway for the brand's Spring 2009 collection (Look 25 of 45). A decadently glittering gown, it is tailored from a bronze and silver metallic lurex wo...

This elegant Yves Saint Laurent runway documented midi dress is from the spring 1975 collection and was a key design, featuring in both a cream and black version on the runway. Made ...

1930s gold and floral lame dress with contemporary custom-made capelet. Of an ankle skimming length, this piece is crafted from the most incredible fabric; a glittering golden lamé ...

Wim Hemmink was a fashion and costume designer from the Netherlands who designed his playful occasion wear in London. This flamboyant and unusual 1980s one-shoulder dress with shrug ...

This enchanting and completely original 1920s wedding dress is a rare time capsule piece. We have never seen one in such perfect condition, especially for an important dress of its age and delicacy. Designed a century ago and most likely by a couturier of note, it is crafted from sheer antique white silk and lace in a drop-waist, apron style that was the mid 1920s vogue...

This spectacular black satin and velvet maxi gown walked the runway as part of Thierry Mugler’s iconic Spring 1992 collection (Look 18/84). It has been exhibited as part of the Alaïa...

This muted pink silk dress was the spectacular finale dress in Thierry Mugler’s Fall 1999 collection. Designed by the master of empowering, hyper-feminine tailoring, it sculpts the b...