1946 black off the shoulder gown with white collar and bustle bow
These 1940s style prom dresses, formal dresses, and evening gowns are new dresses with plenty of elegant 1940s fashion inspiration. Perfect for special occasions with a vintage theme such as a 1940s ball, WW2 dance or Old Hollywood gala.
Authentic 1940s evening dresses were long with layers of chiffon hanging down from the empire waist. A matching bolero jacket was sometimes worn over formal dresses. TeenagepProm goers preferred pastel and jewel tone colors. Sequins and beads added a bit of sparkle around the waist bodice and straps. Many formal dresses embrace the classic a-line silhouette made popular in the 1940s. By the late ’40s the strapless ballgown was a new trend. Read about the history of formal gowns in the 1940s here.Â
These 1940s evening dresses, formal gowns, and long party dresses are new but with a classic vintage 1940s style.  Add gloves, heels, jewelry and hair accessories for a complete style. For an old Hollywood or cocktail party ’40s outfit consider the shorter cocktail dress.
1940s Evening Dresses & Formal Gowns
$231.00
$72.00
$117.66
$86.00
$428.00
$295.00
$80.00
$64.95
$132.75
$498.00
$142.00
$222.99
$90.00
$78.00
$36.49
$218.00
$198.00
$189.00
$198.00
$35.99
$62.99
$260.00
$260.00
$108.00
$59.95
$107.98
$45.99
£104.00
$88.00
$438.00
$578.00
$398.00
$558.00
$438.00
$398.00
$284.00
$450.00
$218.00
$5,900.00
$328.00
$209.30
$298.00
$348.00
$284.00
$295.00
$238.00
$298.00
$288.00
$118.80
$209.00
$300.00
$300.00
$168.00
$269.00
$398.00
$338.00
$229.00
$249.00
$209.00
$209.00
$169.00
$208.00
$199.00
$179.00
$179.00
$75.90
$220.00
$208.00
$118.80
$468.00
$468.00
$428.00
$598.00
$369.00
$208.00
$248.00
$284.00
$398.00
$358.00
$478.00
$598.00
$265.00
$180.00
$239.00
$209.00
$222.99
$114.99
$229.99
$188.99
$189.00
$249.00
$142.99
$229.00
£130.00
$22.00
£345.00
£265.00
£345.00
$68.00
$107.00
£295.00
$79.00
$68.00
$115.19
$168.00
$142.00
£102.43
$99.00
$209.00
$139.00
$94.86
$99.00
$79.00
$138.00
$119.00
$138.00
$119.00
$168.00
$99.00
£275.00
$142.00
$20.95
$318.00
$74.00
$252.00
$208.00
$297.06
$273.00
$129.99
$289.00
$297.06
$86.00
$299.00
$90.00
$238.00
$231.00
$289.00
$200.00
$280.00
$272.50
$284.00
$220.00
$290.00
$234.00
$221.00
$263.00
$158.00
$168.00
$167.40
$118.00
$100.00
$279.00
$263.00
$59.95
1940s cocktail party and evening dresses
Would peplum-style dresses or one-shoulder gowns have been worn in the 1940s, either by the general public or by Hollywood stars? When did the peplum-style first appear?
Both dress styles have been worn off and on for centuries but it was the 1940s that made the Peplum gown a signature of the decade. The 1930s started the trend in daywear and some evening style but the 1940s wore them even more. The one shoulder gown had an renewed interest in the 1950s and again in the 1970s. It was not worn in the 1940s.