1970s Adolfo Gold Lace Beaded Evening Tunic
By Adolfo
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Exquisite Adolfo gold lace beaded evening tunic from the 1970s. Beautifully detailed with gold sequin applique throughout and faux pearl, emerald marquis bead and gold thread trim al...
Adolfo Black and White Shirt Dress with Gold Buttons
By Adolfo
Located in Henrico, VA
This Adolfo dress is a black and white shirt dress that is made out of 100% silk.
Adolfo metallic gold maxi dress
By Adolfo
Located in New York, NY
This Adolfo gold lame skirt is from the 1970s. It has one side pocket and a side closure.
1980 Adolfo Gold Lace & Sequin Pouf Shoulder Cocktail Mini Dress Size 4
By Adolfo
Located in Gresham, OR
Early 1980s Adolfo sequined and beaded gold lace 3/4 sleeve mini dress with pouf shoulder.
Adolfo Gold LamÉ Blouse and Skirt Ensemble
By Adolfo
Located in New York, NY
Adolfo, evening, gold lamé skirt and blouse ensemble. Blouse has a grand;; Bertha flounced collar with an open neckline, having a generous center bow. Wrap skirt is of the same fabri...
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Size: Unmarked (Best Fits Size 6)
Adolfo Brown & Gold Sequin Three Piece Evening Dress Suit, 1960's
By Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue, Adolfo
Located in Atlanta, GA
1960's Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue three piece evening ensemble consisting of a jacket, shell top and maxi skirt all in shades of dark chocolate brown and gold. The open collar wool...
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Size: We estimate 6/8 See measurements
Vintage Adolfo Black Evening Dress Alternative Suit W/ Gold & Green Rhinestones
By Adolfo
Located in Portland, OR
We love this 1980's Adolfo skirt suit! The 2 piece evening suit is in a textural black knit fabric covered in rhinestones. The long jacket has gold and green rhinestone pattern aroun...
$290Sale Price|34% Off
Exotic Oyster Silk Embroidered Gown from India for Bonwit Teller c 1970
Located in University City, MO
Exotic oyster silk embroidered gown from India for Bonwit Teller c 1970 The elegant vintage silk gown is embellished with elaborate floral embroidery that circles the hemline The i...
Rare Bill Gibb Devore Silk Velvet Evening Ensemble
By Bill Gibb
Located in Geneva, CH
Incredible early 70s "dévoré" silk velvet and gold lame set composed of a short kimono-caftan and a long buttoned maxi skirt. The top is cut wide with sleeves opening down the waist....
$1,780Sale Price|20% Off
Size: Large
1960s Jean Patou Vintage Wool Jacket + Skirt Suit Ensemble with Faux Fur Trim
By Jean Patou
Located in Sparks, NV
Completely amazing vintage 1960s Jean Patou black wool jacket and skirt ensemble with faux fur trim and gold studs. Incredible tailoring and construction and chic enamel buttons. Ful...
Amazing Russian Sable Coat, Double Breasted, 7/8 Coat with Fold Over Cuff
Located in Buchanan, MI
A Russian sable coat. Double breasted 7/8 sable coat with fold over cuff and a cape collar that can be worn closed around the neck or lower around the bust line. Labeled "Elan Furs"...
$1,675
Size: Extra Small
Beautiful 1960s Extra Small XS Couture Black Silk Chiffon Vintage 60s Gown Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1960s demi couture black silk chiffon sequin evening gown! Features thousands of hand-sewn black sequins throughout the sleeves and skirt. Thin spaghetti strap underlay wit...
Vivienne Westwood Velvet Blouson Jacket
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Berlin, BE
Beautiful velvet Vivienne Westwood Jacket. Cut in a stunning velvet that seems to absorb and refract light like oil on water, the piece balances romance and rebellion with signature ...
$595
Size: Best fits S, see measurements
Adolfo 1970s Three Piece Red and Metallic Midi or Maxi Skirt and Tank Dress Set
By Adolfo
Located in San Francisco, CA
Three piece vintage Adolfo burgundy red and metallic floral brocade skirt(s) and top set, circa 1970s- 80s, ensures you're set for any occasion! Pair the the bodice with the long ski...
1950's Original by Rudolf Silk Taffeta Cocktail Dress
By Original by Rudolf
Located in Sharon, CT
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
1981 Madame Gres Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Skirt & Blouse Ensemble w/Shoes
By Madame Gres
Located in Studio City, CA
A 1981 Madame Gres haute couture dark scarlet silk taffeta skirt and blouse ensemble with matching high-heeled shoes size 6 1/2. Features the iconic Mme Gres gathered/balloon sleeve,...
Adolfo crepe de chine cocktail skirt
By Adolfo
Located in New York, NY
Adolfo champagne silk crepe de chine evening skirt has a attached self-tie belt with tassels. The skirt is two layered with crepe de chine.The side zipper measures 6", waistband is 1...
Important Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Coat, 1970 Fall/Winter
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary Museum Quality Yves Saint Laurent Early Haute Couture coat from fall/winter 1970 in a Russian style which predates his Opera Ballets Russes collection by half a decade...
Vintage 1930's Green Silk Lamé Evening Gown Amber Lamé UK 12-14 US 8-10
Located in Nashville, TN
Rendered in the most exquisite shade of moss green crepe silk, set off by an abstract silk lamé pattern in shades of amber, yellow and cream set against a black background with gold ...
1920s Peachy Pink and Silver Lame Coat with White Cuffs
Located in London, GB
This show stopping flapper coat was couture made in the mid 1920s. Truly a rare piece to find, especially in such flawless condition and it's one of the best we've handled for nearly...
1980s SCAASI Red Strapless Evening Lace Gown With Shawl
By Arnold Scaasi, Arnold Scaasi Couture
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1980s Scaasi Boutique Red Strapless sweetheart neckline lace gown. Fitted in the waist and flare out. Gown comes with lace shawl. Perfect for wedding or cocktail party. Size 4/6 mea...
1960s Sarmi Gold Beaded Bolero
By Sarmi
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Fully restored to it's original glory, this 1960s jewel encrusted Ferdinando Sarmi bolero is a spectacular couture piece. After serving as head designer for Elizabeth Arden until 195...
Geoffrey Beene Black and White Gown With Beaded Jacket
By Geoffrey Beene
Located in New York, NY
Geoffrey Beene black and white duchess satin, strapless gown with beaded jacket ensemble. Strapless gown has a fitted bodice and full gathered skirt, with a mix of black and white c...
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.