Silver Shines for Evening - 1966

Silver was the choice for evening wear in 1966.  Not gold, not copper, not bronze, but silver, silver everywhere.  Accessories were silver too: shoes, evening bags, stockings and jewelry.  Makeup glinted with silver in lipsticks and eye shadows.  Shimmering, shiny silver was everywhere.

Anne Fogarty

Lynn Stuart mylar blend jeans and shirt with Golo booties.

Norman Norell

Galanos caftan with beaded sleeve cuffs

Teal Traina silver ribbons on sheer organza

Pat Sandler

Joan Arkin

Would you wear any of these looks today?  Which would you choose?

Glam and Glitz for evening - 1967

Let's party like it's 1967! Required - one sparkly dress, glitter stockings, metallic shoes, and big hair.

Geoffrey Beene dress with sequins and mirrors.

Malcolm Starr royal blue dress with cuffs and hem in paillettes, wooden beads and crystals. Sold for $265 in 1967 (about $1692 in today's dollar).

Saks Fifth Avenue private label burnout velvet. Sold for $145 in 1967 (about $926 in today's dollar).

Leslie Fay chiffon dress with back drape. Sold for $36 in 1967 (about $230 in today's dollar).

All from Stix Baer & Fuller, St. Louis' high end department store. Two sparkly mini dresses sold for $40 each in 1967 (about $255 in today's dollar) and the metallic stripe dress with matching coat sold for $225 in 1967 (about $1436 in today's dollar).

It's not too late to get your own 1960's party dress for this holiday season! We've got loads of them at Couture Allure! Go take a look! Big hair not included.

Evening Dresses - 1975

Today is the final post in my series about evening looks through the decades. I hope you've enjoyed it!

What a difference another 10 years makes. The introduction of knits, whether silk, rayon, polyester, or nylon has a huge impact on fashion. Styles are now easy while body conscious at the same time. Full length gowns and maxi dresses dominate evening wear, although we do see tuxedos for women and jumpsuits. Disco looks are exploding onto the scene at this time. Enjoy these looks from 1975.

Leonard silk jersey print dress.

Yves St. Laurent silk jersey gown with halter neckline.

Loris Azzaro white satin tuxedo modeled by Marissa Berenson.

Halston navy jersey jumpsuit with cutaway sides and halter neckline.

Zhandra Rhodes hand-painted blouse and long skirt.

Are the 1970s your decade of choice?

Evening Dresses - 1965

What a difference 10 years makes! Today, we continue our look at evening wear through the decades with the 1960s. Gone are the full skirted styles and tiny waists of 1955. In 1965, shapes are more relaxed and elaborate fabrics and trimmings abound. Sequins, beads and bangles. Brocades, embroideries, and heavy laces. Asian influences, pants, and the beginnings of op-art all show up. Oh, and don't forget the big, big hair! Enjoy these evening looks from 1965.

Right: Maurice Roger black gown covered in beads from head to toe.
Left: Jean Patou black silk chiffon with heavy Venice lace bodice.

Ted Lapidus elaborate brocade evening suit.

Pierre Cardin sequined gown with pop art dots.

Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner brocade backless top over pink evening pants.

Capucci op-art satin dress and jacket trimmed in ostrich feathers.

Is the 1960s your decade of choice?

Evening Dresses - 1955

The holiday party season has begun. Have you been invited to one, two, or more soirees? This week we'll continue our look at evening wear through the decades. I hope you'll be inspired to dress up and make a lasting impression on your fellow party-goers. Let's all end 2010 with some glamour, OK?

The 1950s were epitomized by a celebration of the hourglass figure. Whether it was a fitted sheath, a fancy figure-hugging cocktail dress, a full skirted party dress or a full-blown ballgown, all dresses had tiny waists that emphasized a fuller bust and hips. Lace was very big, along with satins and taffetas. Enjoy these beauties from 1955.

Pierre Balmain sequin covered sheath. Oh la la!

Jacques Heim fitted sheath with a full overskirt.

Jacques Heim strapless lace ballgown.

Christian Dior silk satin ballgown.

Manguin red silk satin dress with fullness to one side.

Are the 1950s your decade of choice?

Evening Dresses - 1925

Later this week, the holiday party season begins. Have you been invited to one, two, or more soirees? This week and next, we'll look at evening wear through the decades. I hope you'll be inspired to dress up and make a lasting impression on your fellow party-goers. Let's all end 2010 with some glamour, OK?

In the 1920s evening dresses are mid-calf in length and hang straight from the shoulders to the hem. The waistline is dropped and evening dresses are normally sleeveless. Delicate silk chiffons and crepes abound, often decorated with lace or elaborate beading. Enjoy these looks from 1925.

A beaded silk dress is worn with a dramatic feathered headpiece.

Lucien Lelong navy silk trimmed in lace at the skirt and flowers at the dropped waist.

Sheer gold lace and tulle float over a silk crepe underslip.

This dress has an elaborate beaded bird on the front and fringe at the hem.

Jean Patou adorns the skirt of this dress with flowers
and ropes of the same flowers hang from one shoulder.

Is the 1920s your decade of choice?