Kimonos

With a history that spans more than 1,000 years, the kimono has amply earned this simple yet emphatic translation. The uncomplicated T-shape design, cut from a single bolt of (usually glorious) cloth, was protected by law in 1950, deemed bunkazai hogo ho, “cultural property,” something that provides insight into Japan’s art, history and way of life.

But the garment’s allure knows no boundaries, national or otherwise. “You can’t love fashion and textiles without loving kimonos,” says Katy Rodriguez, founder of the luxury vintage design boutique Resurrection. Adds Bridgette Morphew, owner of the eponymous Morphew, “It’s unisex and appeals to all sizes and ages.”

It’s the kimono’s balance between two competing identities — cultural icon and fashionable attire — that underlies its attraction today.

But here’s the thing: More likely than not, we’ve got the kimono all wrong. We gaze at elegant images of geisha from our limited Western perspective and think with reverence, “How timeless! How unchanging!” Not true, insist the curators of two exhibitions that opened in 2020. 

Browse a collection of kimonos on 1stDibs, and read about the history of this garment at The Study.

From museum-worthy vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing available on 1stDibs could talk, it would certainly make a statement. 

For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers — think Galliano and Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures. Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino and other titans of the era can take a simpler ensemble to the next level, while chic and practical suits from the likes of Christian Dior and Chanel remain classic for haute couture advocates and beyond. By exploring the vast array of vintage collections on these pages, you can transform your closet into a retreat that is as retro as it is royal. 

Velvet cocktail dresses and silk evening gowns designed by French-born American couturiere Pauline Trigère — who dressed Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor — have proven timeless since their mid-century debut, while an overcoat by Alexander McQueen is the perfect finishing touch. In fact, an emerald one stays in rotation for Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

Those seeking modern high-fashion brands are also in luck. Turn your day-to-day into a runway with selections from Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace or complete that fresh look with stunning footwear classics from the likes of Gucci and Christian Louboutin. The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing. 

Build your collection of covetable and iconic vintage garments by shopping on 1stDibs. No matter where you roam, our diverse apparel and accessories will keep you covered in the hottest styles and comfiest black hoodie imaginable.