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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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Weekend Eye Candy - Charles James Evening Cape

1937 - Charles James is wandering a Paris flea market and finds a cache of Victorian silk ribbons. These ribbons are used to construct an evening mantle (a cape without sleeves). This piece became one of James' most well known and iconic garments. Photographed by Horst P. Horst for Vogue magazine 1940.

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Galitzine Palazzo Pajamas 1964

As mentioned yesterday, Galitzine is most famous for introducing palazzo pants in 1960, and here we see one of the earliest incarnations as shown in the October 1964 issue of Vogue magazine. Named "Palazzo Pyjamas" by Diana Vreeland, they were a relaxed but sophisticated evening look.

Princess Irene Galitzine was born in Russia, but her family fled to Rome during the Russian Revolution when she was only 1 year old. She studied art and design in Rome, and then turned to fashion. She worked for the Fontana sisters for three years as an apprentice. There are conflicting reports as to when she started her own house with dates ranging from 1946 - 1949.

Success came when Galitzine was given the pretigious "Filene's Young Talent" award in Boston in 1959, and her designs were introduced to America. She was voted "Designer of the Year" by the Italian press in 1962 and given the "Sunday Times International Fashion Award" in 1965.

Galitzine closed her house in the late 60's, but reopened 1970. Princess Galitzine died in October 2006. Her house is still in operation today.

Shown above are her palazzo pyjamas in black matelasse. "Softened folds at the neck continue under the short top tier, and flare to a tunic over wide pants. The back - bared to the waist. In America at Lord & Taylor." There is a wide black satin ribbon sash at the waist, tied in a big bow at the front. The model wears little jeweled evening slippers.

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