1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns

Black velvet bustier evening dress with furs around the waist. No fabric tag composition but the lining is probably in rayon and the fur is fox. Zip and hook&eye in the middle back....

In 1987, the New York Times described Victor Costa as “widely recognized as a significant contributor to the current vogue for flamboyant, super-feminine dresses...

For a formal special event, this 1980s maxi dress sleeveless gown by American designer Victor Costa features glamorous glossy red satin that is gathered, ruched and topstitched in bo...

This timeless quintessential corseted, shirred, ruched and topstitched "little black dress" produced by Victor Costa in the 1980s was made for the high standards of New York's trendsetting Bergdorf Goodman when it was the first U.S. luxury department store to order exclusive special-occasion dresses from this Texas designer and subsequently to give him a namesake in-store boutique. He soon became associated with the feminine glamorous gowns worn by "PYT" (Costa-speak for pretty young things) on the Dallas-based television-series "Dynasty", which idealized a status-conscious Texas woman mostly via fashion. With a strapless curvaceous sweetheart neckline (spared from '80s shoulder pads!), narrow sinuous folds of crepe silk-blend jersey cross diagonally below the decollete, while contrasting vertical ruching defines the seven bones of the invisible corset structure that is fully lined on the interior. Under the bust in front below the empire-like peaked high waist, the fitted tucked underlay of the cocktail dress wraps around the back to end as an overlay in front, where the opening on the left side extends to the bodice like a discreet slit. The freely hanging bias-cut overlay in front is gathered underneath each breast for a forgiving central drape that adds additional curves to make the wearer's torso underneath appear in sleek condition despite a potentially less than ideal figure. The dress closes with a concealed zipper in the center of the back, with exterior hook-and-eye fastening to narrow the waist. There is a second concealed hook-and-eye fastener at the top of the zipper. Although the only remaining tag is the Costa/Bergdorf label, it is a contemporary U.S.-size 8, which will also suit a large-busted size 6 or a svelte size 10. Now 88 years old, Victor Costa (b.1935) became widely known by the 1980s in The States for perfecting affordable luxurious gowns that could be mistaken for one-of-a-kind flamboyant designs by foreign couturiers Christian Lacroix, Arnold Scaasi, Oscar de la Renta or Valentino Garavani. Early on, the avid female sketcher...

A stunning vintage gown by Victor Costa. In a wonderful combination of red satin and black velvet , the gown has a square neckline with some boning in the body, a drop waist with wo...

1980s Victor Costa Watercolor Floral Strapless Dress with Ruffled Skirt A beautiful floral dress with a structured bodice with boning and stuff tulle lined ruffles.

Absolutely stunning Victor Costa vintage evening gown! The dress is a super-soft, deep navy velvet with contrasting-textured navy satin accents. The satin forms inset panels at the b...

This dress is a holiday dream. Like you stepped off the set of White Christmas. A 1980s Victor Costa in red and green plaid taffeta with a full skirt and plisse ruffle hem at the b...

White lace cocktail dress with black flowers appliqué . Draped hips and neckline with oversize bow on the side of the hips ( fabric composition: nylon & polyester) Bow is hold with ...

Asymmetrical black and white bustier evening dress. No fabric tag but both fabric seems to be cotton ( the white one has a stripes tone on tone pattern) Black lining probably acetate...

Black lace and tulle plumetis cocktail dress with black satin belt. No fabric tag. Boned bustier under the tulle. Zip in the middle back. Off-white acetate lining. Differents lays of...

Beautiful mid 80s vintage VICTOR COSTA royal blue strapless dress ! Features hundreds of blu feather at the bust. Ruching detail at waist. Hidden ...

Striking 1980s VICTOR COSTA for BERGDORF GOODMAN hunter / forest green and black strapless dress ! Green taffeta fabric with sheer black mesh and velvet overlay. Bow sash detail at l...

Victor Costa strapless dress in black structured, draped satin from the 1980s. Has a very old hollywood glamourous feel to it. The draping creates an over...

Backless blue taffetas evening dress wrap on the bust . Black tulle petticoat. Fabric composition: 52% 48% polyester. SIZE M

A chic cocktail dress by Victor Costa . The dress is strapless with the body of the dress covered in sequins with a velvet band at the top and hem. Labelled style 8160 F. Measurement...

Purple chiffon lurex bustier evening dress; tag has been cut. Drape and boned; Zip and hook& eye on the left side. SIZE 10 US

Vintage Victor Costa for Bergdorf Goodman dress with an open back, dropped waist and full tule skirt. It features squared, padded shoulders and a round opening on the back of the dre...

Vintage black velvet dress by Victor Costa for Saks Fifth Avenue 1980's Made in USA Black velvet shell Black layered (semi-padded) satin straps th...

A lovely party dress by American designer Victor Costa. This dress is in a wonderful floral print on a green background. dress has gathering down to hip leval, with three self fabric...

Beautiful vintage 80s VICTOR COSTA red, black and white rose and polka dot print off the shoulder fit n’ flare cotton dress ! Tailored boned bodice that sits off the shoulder with a ...

A fabulous black taffeta dress from Victor Costa. It has a deep V back with an elaborate double drape layer decorated with black appliqued flowers...

Black and white taffetas cocktail dress with pleated bust.Boned. Zip, bow and snap in the middle back. Black tulle petticoat. Fabric composition: 60% nylon, 40% polyester. SIZE M

Victor Costa at his dramatic best. Feel like a princess in this black strapless evening dress with its velvet bodice and tulle skirt. The sweetheart strapless bodice is fitted throug...

Evening dress with yellow and pink sequin embroidered on black tulle. Black satin's satin bustier and skirt. Wrap skirt and see-through shoulder and arms. Resort Sample.

Elegant cocktail dress with a soft jersey top and satin skirt with a mesh lining for shape purposes. There is a delightful shimmering sequin beaded paisley design at the waist, and a...

80's bustier dress in lace, sequin and taffetas

Amazing vintage VICTOR COSTA red and white polka dot Avant Garde off the shoulder dress! Features a red fitted boned bodice, with elastic trimm...

Gorgeous vintage late 80s VICTOR COSTA taffeta flower gown / maxi dress! Features a tropical flower print in vibrant colors of pink, fuchsia, blu...

Incredible Avant Garde 1980s VICTOR COSTA lipstick red, fuchsia pink and purple color block strapless hi-lo flamenco style evening gown! Flattering ruched boned bodice holds everythi...

Chic late 80s VICTOR COSTA black and yellow Avant Garde strapless cotton cocktail dress! Features a fitted boned bodice that is lined in canary yellow. Forgiving skirt features a lar...

1980s Victor Costa for Saks Fifth Ave Cherry Print White Strapless three tier cocktail Cotton Dress. Bust: 36 inches/ Waist: 28 inches/ Hip: 36 inches/ Dress length: 34.5 inches

Vintage VICTOR COSTA for SAKS FIFTH AVENUE strapless Avant Garde dress! Features allover roses in pink, hot pink, and fuchsia on soft black silk. Appliques with rhinestones at one si...

What fun! Victor Costa evening dress in dotted black net, the ruched bodice and tiered skirt decorated with multicolored mini pompoms. Long fitted torso, back zipper, lined with narr...

Sexy vintage late 1980s VICTOR COSTA for BERGDORF GOODMAN hot pink fuchsia chiffon off-the-shoulder ruched dress! Flattering fitted ruched bodice on the front and back, with an attac...

Incredible vintage 1980s / 80s VICTOR COSTA for NEIMAN MARCUS purple silk taffeta strapless dress and sash belt! Features accordian pleated ruffle along the bodice, down the front si...

Stunning 1980s Victor Costa black strapless cocktail dress. Tiers of folded chiffon with a silver reflect throughout that catches the light beautifu...

1980s Victor Costa Black Strapless Lace and Tulle Dress. Black strapless floral lace dress with layered sculpted tulle, drop-waist, and bow on the side. Side zip closure.

Victor Costa Black Velvet Slashed Sleeve Dress, 1980s. Velvet shift dress with puffed faux-slashed sleeves in the Tudor style. Zips up back.

Amazing vintage Victor Costa for Neiman Marcus dress!!! Vibrant hot pink/fuchsia color, with black sequin waistband. Origami detail at bust, that continues on the back. Great tulip...

This is black silk cocktail dress with a hot pink underlay by Victor Costa, from the 1980's. The dress is strapless with a structured bodice, a bow on the side hip, and a zipper up the back. Elizabeth Mason The Paper Bag Princess...