Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns

It wouldn't be very long before Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883–1971) wholly revolutionized women’s wear — and set the fashion world alight with an elegant but versatile little black dress — when she opened her first millinery shop. Chanel’s fluid fabrics for her coveted vintage evening dresses and gowns liberated the female form to enjoy the freedoms that burst upon the cultural scene following the austerity of World War I.

Initially creating hats at 21 rue Cambon in Paris in 1910 with seamstress support from her sister and her aunt, Chanel soon began to also sell clothing based solely on the kinds of garments she liked to wear.

Chanel's comfortable and practical designs encouraged women to leave extravagant clothes behind. She introduced a more casual, less constricting look, debuting uncomplicated skirts, jersey jackets and more in two additional boutiques by 1915. By the 1920s, magazines and notable clientele were lauding Chanel for her innovative couture fashion.

On 1stDibs, many classics from the House of Chanel are on offer — from the revered vintage Chanel mini dresses, gowns, day dresses and silk cocktail dresses that are today the subject of books and museum exhibitions to the celebrated collections created by Karl Lagerfeld, a legend of high fashion who worked to preserve the artistry of haute couture and revitalize the brand when he was appointed a designer at the house in the 1980s.

Because of his track record for reviving and reimagining brands that had grown stagnant, in 1984 Lagerfeld was handed the reins at Chanel, which had been gathering dust since its founder’s heyday. From his first collection, Lagerfeld injected the venerable house with a frisson of modernity. He riffed on its iconography — tweed skirt suits, pearls, camellias — accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment.

Find vintage Chanel dresses of the '90s and other evening dresses and gowns for sale on 1stDibs.

Chanel evening dresses and gowns for sale on 1stDibs

1stDibs offers an extraordinary range of authentic Chanel evening dresses and gowns. " If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of purple, red, blue and other tones. Customers interested in this designer might also find the work of Azzedine Alaïa, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent appealing. Find Chanel evening dresses and gowns from top boutiques around the world on 1stDibs, vintage and haute couture. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $399 and tops out at $67,430, while the average work can sell for $2,297..

Shop Vintage and Designer Evening Dresses and Gowns on 1stDibs

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 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.

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.

Designers Similar to Chanel

Yves Saint Laurent

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Christian Dior

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Thierry Mugler

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Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche

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Givenchy

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John Galliano

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Lanvin Paris

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Herve Léger

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Chloé

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Questions About Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns

Where can I buy secondhand Chanel bags?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
You can find a variety of second-hand Chanel bags online at boutiques and auction houses. You may also be able to find Chanel bags in consignment and vintage boutiques. It helps to know how to authenticate a Chanel bag to ensure you’re getting a legitimate Chanel handbag. Find a collection of expertly vetted Chanel handbags from some of the world’s top reputable boutiques on 1stDibs.
Do Chanel bags go up in value?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The value of Chanel bags has been steadily increasing for years. This is because each year, they make a “limited run,” which means that there are only so many available to purchase from the Chanel store or expertly vetted platforms from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
How many stores does Chanel have?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are 310 Chanel boutiques located across the globe; 94 in Asia, 70 in Europe, 10 in the Middle East, 127 in North America, 2 in South America and 6 in Oceania. In addition to the Chanel boutiques, there are many authorized retailers of the Chanel line. Find a collection of expertly vetted Chanel fashions, accessories, and handbags from some of the world’s top reputable boutiques on 1stDibs.
What is a Chanel VIP bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An authentic Chanel VIP gift bag or gift item may be given to a few loyal VIP customers who regularly visit the store and spend a significant amount of money on their products. It is not something that the general population can purchase. These gift items are all made with the same attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that you expect from anything with the Chanel brand. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
How much is a Chanel purse?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
The cost of a Chanel purse depends on its material, rarity, style and condition. On 1stDibs.com, you can purchase a Chanel purse starting from $280.
How do I clean a white Chanel bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
How to clean white Chanel bags as they are susceptible to light and can turn yellow if exposed for too long by polishing the leather gently with a natural-coloured soft woollen cloth or pat with a fine woollen cloth when wet. Shop a range of authentic Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
How do I clean a Chanel lambskin bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To clean a Chanel lambskin bag, Chanel recommends using a soft cloth and avoiding any care products that may alter the finish of your handbag. To reduce the appearance of marks on the surface of lambskin leather, gently rub it in a circular motion. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Chanel fashions and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
How do I read a Chanel clothing label?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To read a Chanel clothing label, look beneath the Chanel logo tag. There you will see another label with the style number, size and year it was created. If the style number starts with an A, it was from an Autumn collection. P stands for Printemps, which is spring, and C means that item is part of the cruise line. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel garments from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
How can you spot a fake Chanel bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022
Fake Chanel bags aren’t easy to spot — especially if you’re shopping online. Forgeries are getting increasingly difficult to identify, but there are a few clues that might indicate a Chanel bag is a counterfeit. Bags made in the mid-1980s and later have a serial number at the bottom of the bag, and this number should match the one on the Chanel authenticity card. The Cs in the clasp should have flat, not rounded, edges, and the right-hand C will always overlap the one on the left at the top, with the overlapping reversed at the bottom. The screw on the clasp will have a flat or star head — never a Phillips head. The zipper should have the Lampo logo on the back of the slider, and the bag should come in a duster bag with the Chanel logo printed in white in the center. The diamond-pattern quilting on the bag should be flawless and perfectly aligned, even where there’s a pocket. The lining should lie tight and flat against the interior — never creased or lumpy. The inside of the bag should have the Chanel logo followed by “Made in Italy” or “Made in France.” To ensure you’re purchasing an authentic Chanel bag, buy from a reputable seller that carefully vets their offerings. Shop a collection of properly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
How can I wear my Chanel jacket?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
How you style your Chanel jacket is a matter of preference. Some people like to wear casual clothing, so the Chanel jacket stands out. Others prefer an entire Chanel ensemble with a jacket for an all-over look. Accessorizing your Chanel jacket with a scarf is also a very popular option. Find Chanel jackets on 1stDibs along with a variety of Chanel clothing to create eye-catching ensembles.
How to store your Chanel bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Tuck the chain inside your Chanel bag through its holes and store it in a dust-free environment and avoid touching or bumping into any other items while they're hanging out of sight. Shop a range of vintage and modern Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
When was Chanel founded?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022
Chanel was founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, a French fashion designer who opened a hat boutique in Paris that year. Chanel went on to transform women’s fashion with revolutionary and elegant designs that tore down gender boundaries and freed women from the confining fashions of the day. Find vintage and contemporary Chanel bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
What does Chanel Mademoiselle smell like?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Chanel Mademoiselle perfume smells like orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli and vetiver. It is quite a bold and fresh scent.
Are Chanel bags heavy?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Chanel'S leather bags are the most durable compared to others. Standing the test of time and heavy-duty nature even when soft to the touch. From Chanel's quilted flaps to small leather goods, on 1stDibs, find a variety of authentic pieces from Chanel.
Does Chanel sell men’s shoes?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Chanel doesn’t have a specific men’s shoe division but they do have a sneakers line that can be worn by any gender. These sneakers come in a variety of colors with different fabrics and all feature Chanel’s outstanding quality. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Chanel shoes and other accessories from some top sellers around the world.
Does Chanel make men’s sunglasses?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
No, Chanel doesn’t make men’s sunglasses as they do not have a menswear line. That said, there are men who do wear Chanel sunglasses and other items from the women’s line to create their own noteworthy style. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Chanel sunglasses and other accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
Where are Chanel bags made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022
Chanel bags are made in France and Italy. The contemporary version of Chanel’s 11.12 bag, for instance, starts its life in a small factory in Verneuil-en-Halatte, located 90 minutes north of Paris, where the pieces of lambskin are cut by artisans with six years of training. The pieces are sent to Paris, where embroiderers spend a week embellishing the components, incorporating slight variations that make each bag a one-of-a-kind piece. Then, the leather pieces are shipped back to Verneuil, where craftspeople assemble them by hand into the iconic rectangular shape, complete with intricate piping and beading. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
Why is Chanel so expensive?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Chanel is so expensive because it is a top-class designer brand which creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the top talent in the fashion world. The brand's innovative designs along with its creative marketing strategy make Chanel a highly coveted brand.
Who is the designer of Chanel?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022
The current designer of Chanel is Virginie Viard, who started as an intern at Chanel in 1987 and became creative director Karl Lagerfeld’s self-proclaimed “right arm and my left arm.” Aside from a five-year stint at Chloé, Viard worked as Lagerfeld’s Chanel studio director until his death in 2019, after which she was named his successor as creative director. Viard’s French bohemian style revisits the past, but always with a fresh eye. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary Chanel haute couture from top sellers around the world.
Can you buy Chanel online?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 4, 2024
Yes, you can buy Chanel online. Not every Chanel product, however, is available through the brand's official website.

While Chanel fragrances can be purchased at the brand's site, Chanel clothing, bags and accessories are not available for purchase directly through the company online. Auction sites and luxury resale platforms sell both vintage and new Chanel bags and other items, but authenticity is always a concern when buying online, so it's important to purchase from a reputable seller that properly vets the origin and authenticity of your items.

An authentic Chanel bag sold online will never be cheap, but a high price tag doesn't necessarily mean it's the real thing. Find a collection of authentic Chanel evening dresses, tote bags and other pieces from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.