Vintage Gown

Find the exact vintage or contemporary vintage gown you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. If you’re looking for an option in Black and you’re unable to find the right fit, there are plenty of variations in Brown, Beige and more. Finding the perfect vintage gown may mean sifting through those that were made during different time periods — popular versions were made as early as the 18th Century and a newer one, made as recently as the 21st Century, can also be found on the site. Making an accessory such as this has likely been a part of the legacy of many fashion designers, but those produced by Bill Blass, Oscar De La Renta and Yves Saint Laurent are consistently popular. When shopping for these accessories, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men or unisex today than there are for women.

On average, a vintage gown on 1stDibs sells for $895, while they’re typically $95 on the low end and $60,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated evening dresses and gowns by our favorite courtier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.

Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. 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. 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. 

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.