1920s Evening Dresses & Formal Gowns

The long 1920s evening dress or short cocktail dress with its beautiful beading and fringe is a must-have party dress this year. Short beaded flapper dresses are in fashion, although true vintage 1920s party dresses never went above the knee and didn’t have much beading, sequins or fringe (they were expensive to add). Long tea length and floor length cocktail gowns are equally on trend thanks to our love of Downton Abbey, The Great Gatsby, Peaky Blinders, and Old Hollywood movie fashion. See some examples of vintage 1920s formal dresses here.

Today, beaded formal 1920s evening gowns can be quite expensive, while a sequin embellished formal dress is much more affordable. Silk, lace, velvet or chiffon gowns don’t need bling to ooze Art Deco style. We look for side wrapped dresses, draping, tiers and hanky hems for the most 1920s style eveningwear. Dresses with sleeves and plus size dresses are included. Most dresses linked below are available in many more colors such as black, pink, gold, silver, white, blue, or green.

Don’t forget to add some accessories such as an evening shawl or faux fur wrap, a feathered headband, long gloves, jewelry, and a pair of sparkling heels.