90s Evening Dress
1990s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Italian Evening Gowns
1990s American Evening Gowns
1990s Unknown Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1990s Cocktail Dresses
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
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90s Evening Dress For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 90s Evening Dress?
Finding the Right Evening-dresses for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Many different styles of dress were popular in the 1990s, including the slip dress which became very common by the middle of the decade. Tastes and styles varied between regions and among people. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage 1990s dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between an evening dress and an evening gown is length. An evening gown is generally a full-length garment that falls between the ankles and the floor. An evening dress is a semi-formal or formal dress designed to be worn at night or on special occasions. Evening gowns are one type of evening dress, and you can also find examples with mini, knee-length and midi-length hemlines. Shop a wide range of evening gowns and other evening dresses on 1stDibs.
- Was Chanel popular in the 90s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Yes, Chanel was popular in the 1990s. At that time, Karl Lagerfeld served as the Creative Director for the French luxury fashion house. Print ad campaigns featuring supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista promoted the brand. Many pieces from the decade proudly displayed the interlocked CC logo, and Chanel miniskirts and jeans were especially trendy. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Chanel pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023In the 1990s, there were a few models and celebrities who served as the faces of Chanel. They included actress Anna Mouglalis, model and actress Carole Bouquet, model Claudia Schiffer and musician Vanessa Paradis. Shop a collection of Chanel pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023During the 1990s, Versace was so popular largely because Gianni Versace created designs that stood out among others of the time. More than any designer before him, Versace mined celebrity, music and pop art for inspiration. With their unique details and sex appeal, his designs caught the eye of celebrities and made the Italian luxury fashion house well-known among the general public. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Versace pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Some of the most popular bags from the 1990s include Prada backpacks, Fendi Baguette purses, Lady Dior top handle bags and Gucci Horsebit purses. Some, including the Lady Dior and horsebit, are still quite popular today. Find an extensive range of 90s handbags on 1stDibs as well as a variety of other 90s fashion accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Popular ‘90s clothing items include leather pants, fitted skirts, halter tops, crop tops, mini skirts and platform shoes.The ‘90s style was characterized by a bright color palette. There are plenty of ‘90s fashion accessories and clothing on 1stDibs.
- Who owned Chanel in the 90s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023Alain and Gerard Wertheimer owned Chanel in the 1990s. The brothers are the grandsons of Pierre Wertheimer, who had been business partners with Coco Chanel. In 1974, the Wertheimers inherited the company from their father, Jacques Wertheimer. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024More than one type of jeans was popular in the 90s. Men and women often wore baggy jeans or gently tapered jeans. For women, high-waisted mom jeans were also common. Some popular denim brands of the decade were Pepe Jeans, Levi's, Guess, Marithé + François Girbaud, Versace, Moschino and Jean Paul Gaultier. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage jeans.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In the 1920s, the flapper dress became a fresh new look for both day and evening wear. This shift dress hung from shoulder to just below the knee with a significant drop waistline. The evening versions of these dresses often featured lace, fringe, beadwork and luxe fabrics like chiffon, velvet and taffeta. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage flapper dresses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if a dress is from the 1960s or 1970s, first look for a label. You may be able to determine the approximate date of the dress simply by researching the designer using reputable online sources. Also, check the zippers. Dresses from the 1960s will usually have metal or nylon zippers. Ones from the 1970s are more likely to be plastic. You'll find a large selection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023In the 1990s, people dressed in different ways. Styles included grunge, modern preppy, hip-hop and goth. Some trends of the decade were slip dresses, plaid flannel shirts, long plaid skirts, overalls, combat boots and loose-fitting rolled jeans. Neon colors were popular for a time, as were fabric headbands and fabric-covered ponytail holders. Shop a selection of 90s vintage apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024There are a few options for how you should dress for a ’70s party. You can go for the hippie look with dramatic bell-bottoms, fringed jackets and vests and embroidered blouses, or try a sporty look by pairing a vintage tee with high-waisted, button-fly flared jeans and clogs or platform shoes. For a straight-from-the-disco aesthetic, look for surplice and halter dresses decked out in sequins. Men can make a 1970s-inspired statement with a leisure suit or bell-bottoms matched with a turtleneck. Aviator sunglasses are great accessories for both men and women. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of 1970s apparel and accessories.
- What are 1920s dresses called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The iconic dresses from the 1920s are called flapper dresses. This name comes from the term flapper, which was used to describe young women during the period who enjoyed personal fulfillment and independence in American cities, particularly as they gained the right to vote and enjoy other freedoms previously reserved for men. Flappers danced at jazz clubs and upended most societal restrictions placed on women at the time, and fashion statements typically attributed to flappers included short “bob” haircuts, higher hemlines and other then-audacious style choices. Find a selection of flapper dresses on 1stDibs.
- What is a 1940s style dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The dresses they wore in the 1960s varied depending on the time of day and the occasion. For everyday wear, many women opted for simply tailored frocks called shift dresses. They often featured bold geometric prints in eye-catching colors. In the evening, women tended to opt for gowns with plunging necklines, fitted waists and flowing full skirts. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage dresses from the 1960s.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023One of the most popular types of dresses during the 1980s was a tight-fitting sheath with oversized shoulder pads. Peplum accents were also common as were large puffy sleeves. On 1stDibs, find a collection of 1980s vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Flapper dresses from the 1920s came in a range of colors, although darker hues such as black and navy were immensely popular. Flapper dresses were cut with straight and slim silhouettes, were typically knee-length and had a lower neckline. They were often made from silk chiffon and featured beaded details. You’ll find a selection of 1920s flapper dresses from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 20211950s-style dresses are often called poodle skirt dresses. The dress is generally a fit-and-flare shape with a wide swing skirt. Another popular type of dress is the form-fitting sheath, also known as a pencil dress.
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