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.
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s European Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
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2010s European Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s Italian Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s European Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary English Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1980s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s French Chanel Evening Dresses and Gowns
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
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the bag's material, a vintage Chanel can be quite expensive. For instance, a vintage crocodile top handle bag costs around $130,000. The classic quilted leather bag is around $10,000.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The latest prices for the Chanel wallet on chain is $3,100. There are many variations of this classic design, with some selling for closer to $2,100.
- Is Chanel a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Chanel is one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. This top-class designer brand creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the best-known talent in the fashion world. Find many Chanel accessories and apparel on 1stDibs.
- How much is a Chanel tote?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Chanel tote's price can vary on the second depending on size, model, condition, and age. New Chanel small clutches start at around $1,900 while totes and other purses fetch $4,000-$5,000.
- Do Chanel bags come with tags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022All Chanel bags are guaranteed to be authentic, as they come with a unique tag and authentication card.This is an easy way for you to determine the authenticity of your bag. Shop a large selection of vintage or modern Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
- Does Chanel make men’s belts?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Chanel doesn’t make men’s belts and they do not have a menswear line. That said, there are men who do wear Chanel belts and other items from the women’s line to create their own noteworthy style. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Chanel garments and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- Are Chanel pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.
- Does Chanel have men’s clothes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel doesn't usually make men's clothing. The brand has never offered a full menswear line. However, Chanel does have partnerships with designers that occasionally yield items for men such as suits or neckties.
- Are Chanel earrings real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021All of Chanel's fine jewelry is made with 18K Gold (both yellow and white) and platinum and all of the diamonds used have very high clarity and color with a perfect set, resulting in some of the highest quality jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To remove creases from Chanel can be done with care, of course. Use a clean cloth and dry cleaning solution but stay away from any chemicals on the bag as they can damage it permanently. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Chanel pieces.
- How to make Chanel jacket trim?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can make Chanel jacket trims feathery, flat or embellished ribbons and stitched on wool bindings are worth all the effort with a seamstress. You'll find a vast collection of authentic Chanel twill jackets from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
- What is Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel is a luxury French fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910. Focused on women’s ready-to-wear clothing and haute couture, Chanel is most famous for the 1921 perfume Chanel No. 5, the 1925 Chanel Suit and the iconic 1926 little black dress, which remains a staple in women’s closets around the world to this day. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is Chanel Matelasse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel Matelasse is a quilted Chanel bag. It's an emblem of the Chanel brand. Chanel Matelasse bags and other Chanel bags can be found on 1stDibs.
- What does Chanel 5 smell like?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel No. 5 smells like a subtle mix of florals, including rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily of the valley and iris, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla. Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular scents in the world.
- How do I store Chanel Boy bags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel recommends storing your boy bags by wrapping the chains or straps in tissue paper and storing them upright in the original pouch. Other sources suggest stuffing the bag with acid-free tissue paper to support its shape and make sure the chain or strap is well-padded so it doesn’t imprint the bag. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can buy a Chanel Mini Flap bag directly from Chanel’s website or one of Chanel’s boutiques. Additionally, you may find a Chanel Mini Flap bag in one of Chanel’s retail partners’ stores. Shop a collection of authentic Chanel Mini Flap bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Who is Coco Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Chanel in France in 1883, was a fashion designer who got her nickname during her short-lived career as a cabaret singer. In 1910, she opened a boutique in Paris to sell her hats, which were beloved by the popular French actresses of the era. Her success with hats led her to open the first Chanel Couture House five years later, where she designed and sold women’s sportswear made of jersey — which until then was used to make men’s underwear. Her revolutionary style catapulted her to fame, and in the decades that followed, Coco Chanel remained on the cutting edge of fashion, creating modern, timeless clothing, perfumes and accessories — and, of course, her iconic bags, which are revered to this day. Shop a collection of Chanel from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Who owns the Chanel brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022The Chanel brand is owned by brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer. The Wertheimer brothers, whose grandfather acquired Chanel with his brother in 1924, are very private, known as the fashion industry’s “quietest billionaires.” The brand’s founder, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, saw the purchase by French brothers Pierre and Paul Wertheimer as an opportunity to reach more customers, but she tried unsuccessfully to regain control of the house in 1941. Shop our Chanel collection of vintage and new bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The classic ballerina flats by Chanel are a must-have for every shoe lover. The chic design and versatility make them perfect to wear with any outfit, whether jeans or dresses. Shop a selection of Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.