1950s Ceil Chapman Floral Silk Gown with Back Cape
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Dramatic and bright, this incredible Ceil Chapman evening dress from the 1950s has it all: drama, draping, Hi-low hemline, flattering capped sleeve, fitted shape with appliqué bow, c...
Incredible 1950s French Lace Bombshell Chantilly Lace Wiggle Dress + Cape
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 1950s Demi Couture French Lace dress and caplet! Wonderful beige/nude/brown color lace, with matching caplet. Impeccable construction, with the majority of the workma...
1950s 'Old Hollywood' Custom Couture Black & Orange Silk Hourglass Gown w/ Cape
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An important and truly breathtaking one-of-a-kind gown ensemble custom made for Yma Sumac, dating back to the mid 1950's.
1950S NINA RICCI Ivory Silk & Brown Velvet Gown With Evening Cape
By Nina Ricci
Located in New York, NY
1950S NINA RICCI Ivory Silk & Brown Velvet Gown With Evening Cape
1950s Worth British Haute Couture Gold Lamé Cocktail Dress with Cape
By Worth, Charles Worth
Located in London, GB
This fabulous 1950s gold lamé cocktail dress is haute couture by the celebrated design house Worth, is of exceptional quality with incredible hand sewn construction. The textured met...
Late 1950s Capucci Haute Couture Purple Silk Cocktail Dress with Dramatic Cape
By Roberto Capucci
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Roberto Capucci deep purple silk cocktail dress from the late 1950s. The short hemline is countered by a long and flowing cape attachment from the shoulders that billows behind when ...
1950s Norman Norell Color Block Dress and Cape Set
By Norman Norell, Traina-Norell
Located in Water Mill, NY
This is an incredible set in fine black and red wool from master Norman Norell. The black sleeveless dress is semi fitted with princess seaming and has a front and back yoke. It is...
Vintage 1950's Beaded Dragon Motif Documented Hourglass Burlesque Gown Cape Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A truly unique and ultra seductive documented custom couture burlesque stage gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's. This captivating showstopper even comes with an image of the...
1950's Frank Starr Sequin Indigo Blue-Purple Silk Full Party Dress & Cape
By Frank Starr
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Breathtaking 1950's party dress & cape ensemble by the highly adored label "Frank Starr". Ruth Goude was the leading designer for the brand and an innovator of the "New Look" that ga...
1950s Douglas Curry Caped Back Dress
Located in Rockwood, ON
Truly beautiful and exceptional piece designed by Douglas Curry and labeled as a Douglas Curry Original. This is the second dress I have had by Curry and both have been exceptionally...
1950s Silk Chiffon Beaded Cape Dress
Located in Yucca Valley, CA
Beautiful 1960s seafoam blue silk cocktail dress. Grecian-style gathered bust with beaded floral details. Draped scarf back. MEASUREMENTS Bust: 33" Waist: 26" Hips: 35" Total ...
1950s Vibrant Floral Cocktail Babydoll Dress with Attached Cape
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely 1950s babydoll cocktail dress done in a gorgeous purple and green floral silk taffeta, accented by an attached cape in the back. Please note this dress is quite petite; please...
Sold
L 39 in
1950's Vintage White w/Black Floral Print & Sheer Overlay & Cape Sleeveless Cocktail Dress
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This vintage 1950's cocktail dress is presented in white with a black floral print with a sheer black overlay and sheer black attached cape. It has a zipper and eye hook closure up ...
1960s Ivory and Gold Lace + Sequins Mod Vintage A - Line 60s Babydoll Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1960s ivory and gold lace A-line dress! Features a fitted bodice, with a nice full flattering flared skirt. Gold embroidered waistband and sleeve cuffs are adorned with gold seq...
Exceptional 1960s 60s Black French Lace Nude Illusion Sequin Babydoll Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Such a stunning vintage 1960s Babydoll cocktail dress! Black French lace, covered with black sequins. Beautiful scalloped hems, with layers of nude silk under. Zips up the back, with...
$580
Size: Size 1 Small
Leonard, Paris Strapless Silk Floral Print Gown with Silk Flower Corsage Bodice
By Leonard
Located in New Hope, PA
This strapless dress from Leonard, Paris is just so cheerful and feminine. The floral print seems to have every shade of every color under the rainbow set against a black background...
1950s Lilli Diamond Ivory Off - White French Lace Vintage 50s Wiggle Dress
By Lilli Diamond
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1950s LILLI DIAMOND ivory French lace wiggle dress! Wonderful fit hugs the body in all the right places, and was constructed to really flattering the body. Nude illusion de...
$1,595
Size: Small - Small Medium
1960s Demi Couture Floral Watercolor Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown Maxi Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage early 60s demi couture watercolor silk chiffon sleeveless gown / maxi dress ! Features vibrant colors of yellow, purple, green and blue throughout. Flattering ruch...
Vintage 1930s Black Silk Chiffon Floral evening Gown Tulips US 6 UK 10
Located in Nashville, TN
A marvel to behold, this original vintage 1930's black cotton voile and silk chiffon evening gown, decorated with a silver rhinestone inlay metal chain, is a rare piece to behold. T...
Vintage 1940's Silk Tiered Wildflower Print Gown UK 12 US 8
Located in Nashville, TN
Rendered in the darkest shade of black crepe silk, with a brightly coloured watercolour style floral pattern of wild flowers and tulips, this original 1940's tiered gown, is sure to ...
$2,140
Size: Equivalent size 38-39 France
1950s Germaine Lecomte Black Calais Lace Cocktail Dress Haute Couture
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1950. France Nice cocktail or dinner dress in black Calais lace, known as Chantilly lace, dating from the late 1940s and inspired by Christian Dior's New-look period in France....
Vintage Leonard Paris Silk Floral Print Maxi Dress, Circa 1970s, XS/S
By Leonard of Paris, Leonard
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Known for their unique, feminine prints and exotic designs, Leonard Paris is a staple when it comes to comfortable yet elegant designs. In a sense, every Leonard dress is a canvas on...
1950s Kay Selig Bronze Floral Print Satin Gown w Gathered Bust & Train
Located in Gresham, OR
1950s Kay Selig Bronze Floral Print Satin Gown w Gathered Bust & Train: Heavy slipper satin gown w folded bustline, large, extravagant bustled bow at back. Beautifully detailed shado...
1930s Interesting Draped Floral Print Evening Dress
Located in New York, NY
1930's Couture Quality draped floral printed chiffon evening dress. Bias cut with asymetrical side panel, and looping side drape which catches at the shoulder of the bodice. Floral p...
1960s Demi Couture Sheer Beaded Lace Mini Cocktail Dress with Chiffon Wrap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Exquisite anonymous 1960s cranberry and gold red lace demi couture cocktail dress featuring an exquisite floral lace design with hand beading and gold metallic thread embroidery. Unb...
1950s French Haute Couture Cream Lace Bustier Dress
Located in London, GB
This French haute couture 1950s cream lace bustier dress hugs the female silhouette to perfection. The lace is incredibly intricate and has a lovely thickness to it - a testament t...
1950s Demi Couture Black Chantilly Lace Beaded Fit n' Flare Vintage 50s Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning 1950s demi couture black chantilly lace beaded long sleeve fit n' flare dress! There are so many details on this beauty! Tailored bodice with thousands of hand-sewn black se...
1960's Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Floral Printed Silk Gown No.158143
By Pierre Balmain Haute Couture
Located in Studio City, CA
Early 1960's Pierre Balmain No. 158143 haute couture silk organza floral print gown with multi-layered ruffle trim at the neckline and hem. There a double layer of silk lining at the...
$695
Size: Small / Medium
1960s Ann Barry Vintage Chantilly Lace Taupe + Brown A - Line Shift Tiered Dress
By Ann Barry
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 60s ANN BARRY taupe and brown Chantilly lace tiered A-Line / Shift dress! Chic brown silk ribbon sleeve straps, that feature a bow on each strap. Flattering shape, that eas...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Lace Up Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous black silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The body of the dress is made of fine black stretch silk with functional adjustable lacing at the center front and b...
$295
Size: none; comparable to size 21 or M
Bollman Co. Ivory Boho Greenwich Floppy Hat with Ostrich Feather Band – M, 1970s
By Bollman Hat Company
Located in Tucson, AZ
Started in 1868, the Bollman Hat Company is America's oldest hat maker and still provides luxury millinery products for brands like Helen Kaminski. Made of soft doeskin wool in wardr...
$500
Size: none; one size fits most
Blush Edwardian Padded Canton Silk Embroidered Boudoir Robe - O/S, 1900s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Though this robe’s delicate pastel hue and exquisite softness make it an ideal dressing gown, it would be such a shame to hide it behind closed doors. Cut much like a 1950s swing coa...
$395Sale Price|33% Off
Size: Medium - Large
Chic 1960s Black and White Gingham Long Sleeve A - Line Vintage 60s Wool Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic late 1960s black and white large houndstooth long sleeve A-line dress! Features a fitted bodice with a full skirt. Oversized collar, and bell sleeves that cuff at the hem. Featu...
Georgian Boxed Woven Pearl Starburst Tiara, Circa 1780
Located in Altrincham, GB
A spectacular Georgian tiara, gorgeously crafted and fitted in a royal blue velvet box. Its composed of countless natural and seed pearls, I can't imagine you could count them all- a...
Pearl, Base Metal
Showstopping Thierry Mugler FW 1998 Runway Evening Gown
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
This iconic Showstopper by Thierry Mugler is a Silk Velvet Dream! She arrives not as a woman, but as an apparition: poured into liquid Bordeaux velvet so saturated it seems to drink...
1960s Joseph Magnin Gold + Chartreuse Green Silk Brocade 60s Vintage Shift Dress
By Joseph Magnin Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous 1960s JOSEPH MAGNIN gold and chartreuse green metallic silk shift dress! Features a striking print, with an incredible fit! Fitted bodice, with a straight skirt. Full metal ...
$6,500
Size: Large (but fits Medium)
RICHARD TYLER 2000 Vintage Ivory Silk Wedding Dress Bridal Gown Train + Bustle
By Richard Tyler
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Richard Tyler Vintage 2000 Warm ivory Impeccably draped layers of silk Hard boning throughout Removable straps Ruched back with train Hook-and-eye for train pick-up USA size 10, fits...
Evening coat lightly padded in night blue silk satin Schiaparelli 1950's
By Schiaparelli
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Evening coat lightly padded in night blue silk satin with red satin lining. One button in the middle front on the top. Pockets on both side. SIZE 44 (Fr) L
Oscar De La Renta F/W 2011 Collection Green Persian Lamb Russian Sable Coat US 4
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montgomery, TX
Oscar De La Renta Green Persian Lamb with Russian Sable Collar Coat F/W 2011 Collection US size - 4 100% Real Fur - Persian Lamb, Russian Sable Collar, Dark Green Color, A-Line Style...
Alexander McQueen F/W 2008 Gold Embroidered Strapless Tulle & Satin Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Studio City, CA
An Alexander McQueen F/W 2008, "The Girl Who Lived in The Tree" strapless cocktail dress embroidered with a motif of birds, branches and nature in gold & copper metallic thread a...
Roberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Bustier Corset Chinoiserie Print Evening Dress Gown
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Roberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Bustier Corset Lace Up Chinoiserie Print Evening Dress Gown Size: S Condition: Very good vintage condition
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Medium
1960s Lilli Ann Navy Blue Vintage 60s Wool Classic and Chic Skirt Suit Ensemble
By Lilli Ann
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 1960s LILLI ANN navy midnight blue wool skirt and matching jacket! Features soft wool, with a signature Lilli Ann design. High waisted pencil skirt features a metal zipp...
1965 Chanel Iconic Autumnal Tweed Long Coat & A-Line Skirt Set in Classic Style
By Chanel
Located in Gresham, OR
1965 Chanel Iconic Autumnal Tweed Long Coat & A-Line Skirt Set in Classic Chanel Style: A beautiful color pallete of taupe, cream, peach and yellow wool yarns in a tweed melange. Th...
$1,975
Size: Small - Large
Amazing 1970s Black Hand Crochet Fringe 70s Vintage Embrodiered Boho Maxi Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1970s hand crochet black open weave fringed couture quality maxi dress! Incredible amount of details that were completely sewn by hand. Fringe detail at collar, sleeves, and...
Christian Dior by John Galliano Vibrant Crochet Coat with Fringe, FW 2002
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
This Christian Dior coat, crafted from mohair, wool, nylon, and jute, features an oversized silhouette with exaggerated, rounded shoulders and a relaxed collar. The coat showcases a ...
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.
From handbags and heels to jackets and jewels, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz has a deep admiration for (and collection of) all things Chanel.
Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)
Once considered a controversial item of clothing, fashion designer Sonja de Lennart's creation is now a bona fide classic.
The classic tweed garment has been a wardrobe staple of chic women around the world since the 1950s.
Amanda Benchley and Bridget Moynahan teamed up to explore the relationship between powerful women and their most significant footwear.
This year's Costume Institute exhibition is all about embracing the eccentric.
Ballrooms, Bar Suits and British royals — in a sweeping exhibition, the London museum looks back on 70 years of the French fashion house, as well as its illustrious founder and his fondness for the United Kingdom.