1950s Evening Dresses and Gowns

A gorgeous black silk dress from Marberl. It has long sleeves with fine metal zippers at the wrists, a princess seamed bodice for a great fit and a deep V cut...

An alluring, yet fully-covered gown for those brides who seek modesty without looking mousy, this wedding gown was custom-made for a 1951 bride who valued discretion and beauty in equal measure. Though this gown pre-dates Kelly's, it is strikingly similar to the Helen Rose gown Grace Kelly wore to her wedding to Prince Ranier in 1956. Ivory lace wedding dress with high neckline and narrow Peter Pan collar with 33 working covered buttons from navel to throat; illusion sleeves, upper back and upper chest with interior attached ivory camisole beneath. Pointed sleeves with 8 working covered buttons at each forearm; lightly puffed shoulders with petite interior shoulder pads. V-shaped front and rear waist seam with gentle gathers in back; free-hanging lace overlay skirt with cathedral train. Skirt fully lined in free-hanging ivory acetate with additional rear tulle lining for fullness. Matching Juliet cap...

This is a stunning late 1950's Karen Stark for Harvey Berin wiggle dress with a pink satin lining under a lace overlay. The cream lace is embellished with rhinestones and a similar s...

A pretty rose silk dress by Charles Cooper. It is sleeveless with applique flowers around the neckline and low back. It has a straight skirt, small piped belt, back zipper and it i...

Rendered in a classic silhouette, this sumptuous 1950's Ceil Chapman dress, in a bold gold satin, contrasted by a cream silk bodice embellished with trailing gold glass bugle beads, ...

Jacques Heim is inextricably linked with the history of French fashion. In the years 1958-1962 he was the president of the highly influential Paris Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Cou...

Fred Perlberg Dance Originals 1950s black taffeta scoop bodice quilted full circle skirt cocktail dress. Open scoop neckline sleeveless dress with pleated straps that hug the shoulde...

This superbly embellished dress was designed in the 1950s and most likely bespoke made for a special event. It incorporates many hallmarks of the era’s most-popular designs with its ...

1950S Off White Rayon & Silk Lace Chiffon Fitted Little Cocktail Dress

This exceptional 1950s to early 1960s dress was couture crafted from boldly printed, floral silk in France. Strongly reminiscent of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s work during this era, the t...

Circa 1950-1960 France Unlabelled dress very good manufacturing, high-quality garment, chiffon flowers on green background. Short sleeves. Scarf neck can be tied. Fine pleated skir...

Circa 1958 France A yellow banana ottoman silk faille ball-gown or ceremonial long dress. Boned bodice with large plunge neckline and cream oblique pleated shape faille on the chest adorned with a side knot. High waist effect obtained by a high bust from the waist widening in the bottom of the skirt. Skillful bodice work with included bra, grosgrain waistband and sheath on the hips with garters. Skirt highly structured by a white cotton lining, two petticoats of rigid tulle and a cream silk under-skirt lined with tarlatane. Cream woven satin label, black graphics Pierre Balmain Paris. Numbered 83213 under the label. Very clean and undamaged dress, little or not worn. Very good condition of colour and conservation. Collector's dress exhibited and catalogued at Villa Rosemaine...

If you don't have the luxury of changing clothes between the wedding and reception, consider this floor-length gown to fill both roles. Its shorter hemline and swirling skirt are ide...

A timeless 1950s shape, this short-sleeve little black dress has a pencil skirt and a cinched waist and tie belt to accentuate the female figure. The voluminous peplum overskirt is c...

A true beauty to behold. This original 1950's duchess satin dress, rendered in a soft shade of sweet pink and accented by the most divine pleat wor...

Simply gorgeous 1950's Ceil Chapman black velvet off-the-shoulder gown! Ceil Chapman was one of Marilyn Monroe's favorite designers (last image depicts Marilyn dressed in an off-shou...

This charming 1950s silk chiffon evening dress in cobalt blue has been beautifully constructed to haute couture standard and is in pristine vintage condition. The chiffon overlay is ...

A great black dress by Jane Andre in a cotton linen blend. It has cap sleeves, a drop waist and full skirt. There is fine band around the crew neckline and ...

This iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...

This 1950s Mainbocher black silk and lace evening dress is of exceptional quality with some really elegant details. The bodice is fully lined and the bust has slight padding to add s...

Rendered in the most delightful shades of lilac set against a dove grey background, this original 1950's floral water silk dress is just the piece to add to ...

A superb 1950s couture sheath dress from Worth London, in a striking combination of pale pink satin silk and brown lace. The slip underlay is designed in a luxurious soft rose pink s...

This beautiful 1950s Lancel haute couture dress has a beaded waist and is made in a luxurious wool. The dress doesn't have a lining, as it was common to wear a separate lingerie dre...

A highly traditional gown with positively regal bearing, this full-skirted wedding dress covers all bases. Though it conceals and arms and neck for propriety, its Queen Anne neckline provides allure through its center plunge; it has a full train for the ceremony, but can be buttoned at the rear back for the reception and dancing; lace and pearl beading provide texture and interest, but ultra-heavyweight Duchess satin lend gravitas and modesty. Truly, fit for a Queen. Ivory wedding gown...

A fabulous dress from Betty Carol in light weight black wool and silk taffeta. It has a V neckline front and back with fabulous princess seaming creating a fitted silhouette through...

Stunning 1950s vintage lipstick red DEMI COUTURE silk brocade dress! Floral brocade throughout with a wonderful chiffon overlay skirt. Mostly hand sewn. ...

The unusual combination of a drop waist and fit-and-flare silhouette impart a charm reminiscent of Givenchy's designs for Audrey Hepburn. Perfectly balanced by transparent lace cap sleeves and bateau neck, and punctuated with a half bow on the bodice. Ballet length ivory lace wedding gown...

This exceptional 1950s Mollie Parnis black wool evening dress with pleated ribbon inserts is a superb example of the glamorous lines and exquisite design features synonymous with its designer. An iconic favourite for a number of figurative members of American society during the 50s, 60s and 70s, Parnis famously dressed First Ladies namely Mrs.Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter...

Beautiful 1950s House of Nine demi couture black silk chiffon bombshell halter dress ! Tailored bodice with three strands of rhinestones under the bust that leads into the back. Full...

This unusual mid-century lingerie-style black semi-transparent mini dress that conjures a historic pinup-girl like Bettie Page is suitable as a cocktail dress as part of an evening ensemble. It was probably meant by its New York designer to be paired with slim cropped pants, which became popular in The States after worn by Hollywood-movie actresses Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. The A-line dress was most likely made by the former ready-to-wear fashion company following the revolutionary debut by French Christian Dior of his couture cinched-waist-voluminous-skirt "New Look" collection, whereafter German Sonja de Lennart introduced "Capris" in 1949, and American Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953. The complex hourglass-shaped garment features a double v-neck four-seamed ruched lined bodice in a crepe silky woven fabric. Its defined gathered bust extends from the chest seams at two angles to form short dolman sleeves only in the front, while there are arm seams in back. The gathered see-through black faux-lace organza flared skirt reveals a black velvet-textured scalloped floral pattern with a net underlayer. With beige lining, the self-trim band at the waist enables the folded scalloped-lace pattern to continue to stand out on the opaque black torso. The edges of the peplum and sleeves are further cut in a scallop shape to resemble more delicate eyelash-lace trim. The brand label of the obsolete line is the only interior tag that remains. Camouflaging the midsection, the flattering dress will best suit a U.S.-size 6. It can also be worn by larger sizes with a relatively slim waist and small or large bust as there is no restriction at the hips or wide armholes. At the waistline, a hook and looped cord fasten over the bypass zipper to better conceal it. Notably, the steel-tab-and-teeth zipper is an original U.S-made Murlen model, which was used in new clothes from the 1940s to 1960s and helps to date the mid-century dress.

With Taylor’s neck and waistline, Hepburn’s sleeves and Kelly’s lace, this wedding gown has all the requisites of a 1950s heirloom. We love how the uneven, graduated hemline and der...

A balance of masculine and feminine, this frothy party dress pairs tuxedo references like bib pleating and a wide cummerbund with an undeniably ladylike silhouette complete with a 25...

This is a brilliant example of Ceil Chapman's early work from the late 1940s to early 1950s and the black taffeta silk design is exquisite. Its the first thing you notice about this dress which has the most unusual construction. The skirt's textured element from a distance looks like a floral design but its actually a large number of circular pleated stitched designs. The way the fabric is pulled and stitched creates an almost 3D effect. We have never seen this work before but it would have taken a very skilled seamstress and an incredible amount of time to do it. The dress style is a classic shirtwaister design with three taffeta covered buttons to fasten the bodice which is beautifully shaped and Princess seamed. The sleeves are three quarter length and feature a folded cuff...

A great black dress with a bateau neckline, short sleeves and small vertical straps draping in the bodice back. It has a straight skirt with a back vent and an attached belt. The dre...

Stunning 1950s FRED PERLBERG white and Robin’s egg blue rhinestone encrusted strapless gown ! Boned bodice. Hundreds of rhinestones really make this dress sparkle. Features layers of...

1950's BallRoom Dress. Designer Max Cory Rudolf NYC Boutique. Tulle Slip attached to skirt. Bow in front below waist. Zipper in back. Appx USA 6

Circa 1958 France Sumptuous cocktail or ball gown with Princess line by Pierre Balmain Haute Couture numbered 83214. Sleeveless dress with a cowl neckline draped with polka-dot mus...

Remember Audrey Hepburn's iconic black dinner dress in "Sabrina?" This charming piece is a near perfect facsimile from the same era with one important difference: instead of a single...

A candy colored confection smack dab between pink and lavender, this little trifle is similar to a Christian Dior Haute Couture gown that debuted at the 2011 Resort/Cruise show in Sh...

This incredible little black dress is an early Pauline Trigere piece, dating to the 1950s. Made from a supple black silk fabric, it features a draped shawl collar with a black silk...

This mid 1950s Hardy Amies demi-couture occasion dress is made from a sumptuous material in a deep orange paisley brocade with pink and golds accents. It has a sweetheart neckline, p...

This timeless 1950s New Look style Haute Couture two piece by Pierre Balmain is in impeccable condition with exceptional line and form. The soft cream jacquard fabric is embossed wit...

A fabulous little black dress from Oleg Cassini. A semi fitted dress with an over bodice comprised of dozens of 1/3" vertical finished strips of fabric draping over it creating a bl...

Circa 1955 - 1960 United States of America Beautiful American ball gown in powder pink satin embroidered with sequins and rhinestones, by Harvey Berin, designed by Karen Stark dating from the 1950s. Whalebone bustier highlighted with pleated satin on the plunging bosom with large bare back neckline closed by zip. Wide cup skirt with pink tulle petticoat. Large sinuous stems loaded with flowers in sequin embroidery, iridescent pearls, daisies and rhinestone cabochons. Hand-stitched finish and bustier lining in faille à la couleur. Skirt lining in white tarlatan. To note three tiny rings...

Circa 1953 France Grand Soir dress in black silk faille by Madame Grès Haute Couture, 1953 collection (similar dress, cover of "l'Officiel de la Couture" n°381, 1953) with a very a...

Beautiful 1950s taupe / light brown silk brocade sleeveless wiggle dress ! The perfect color for anytime of year for ay day or evening event. Flattering tailored ruched bodice with f...

The combination of black and pink makes this dress simultaneously alluring and innocent. Cut with an asymmetrical "minarete silhouette" peplum made famous by Travis Banton, it also features an off-shoulder neckline made more wearable by the presence of spaghetti straps. Tea length short sleeve off-shoulder party dress of black taffeta with tulle overlay embellished with pink ribbon lace and embroidered flowers; lightly ruched sweetheart bust and spaghetti straps. Asymmetrical peplum from left hip to right ankle; black and pink tulle skirt...

Made in the most delicious shade of jade green cotton and decorated with silver glass lined beads and gunmetal silver bugle beads, this original 1950's evening dress and matching bol...

This original 1950s turquoise and net prom dress is a real show-stopping, fairy tale piece. It reminds us of the Disney Princess dress worn by Cinderella at the ball. There are three layers to the skirt; an acetate underskirt, over-laid with a plain net skirt and finally the top layer. This has 11 ruffle trims added in rows which give the dress a very full and sweeping profile. The boned bodice is also in the same coloured ruched fabric, imitating taffeta silk with net trim to the sweetheart neckline. The dress has a very pleasing detachable layered net halter neck that widens over the shoulders to give a little cape like effect. Fastening to the rear with the original concealed centre back zip and hook and eye closure. A long bow...

Reminiscent of the architectural designs popularized by Balenciaga, this unique party dress features a stand-away silhouette that appears to float independently from the body that we...

Meraviglioso abito di ricerca vintage anni 50, colo viola la sua coda leggera rende fluido l'abito che è contornato da pregiate piume. La parte superiore a bustino è completata da un...

Absolutley breathtaking 1950s demi couture white strapless tulle gown, or wedding dress ! Features yards and yards of white tulle layered througho...

We love vintage mid century evening gowns and this one is especially lovely. This vintage late 1950's or early 1960"s hi low evening dress is in a cream and bronze jacquard with gold metallic thread detail. The dress is fitted at the waist and has two decorative bows in the front center. There is a center back zipper for closure, and front of the dress is shorter than the back. This fully lined dress...

Beautiful 1950s LILLI DIAMOND ivory French lace wiggle dress! Wonderful fit hugs the body in all the right places, and was constructed to really fl...

This magnificent 1950's cream dress and matching bolero, embellished with trailing soutache and claw set silver rhinestones, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapl...

This seductive 1950s black silk satin cocktail dress is of superb quality and construction and in superb vintage condition. The dress features a sweetheart neckline in soft black netting with a nude satin underlay and lace ruffle embellishment over the bust. There are spaghetti straps, princess seams along the bodice and a slightly dropped, curved waistline atop of a classic 50s full skirt...

This sensational 1950’s silk satin gown in pale grey showcases some magnificent construction and is of incredible quality. The opulent choice of fabric has been expertly tailored and the care and attention to detail is equally apparent on the interior of the piece, with beautiful finishings on the seams and hemming. Silver grey is married with a panel of understated lemon yellow tone silk which is arranged over the hips and navel in a downwards point, accentuating the waistline to flattering effect. There are delicate straps and a sweetheart neckline with a softly ruched bodice gathered over the bust, featuring a lovely silk flower corsage...

Gorgeous and classic 1950s demi couture handkerchief panel chiffon dress ! Features a flattering tailored bodice, and skirt has panels that look amazing on and with movement. Hidden ...