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Vintage Dancer | 1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses

1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses

1950s cocktail dresses were womens’ special event dresses appropriate for dinners, parties, and romantic dates! Like most ’50s dresses, these came down to below the knee and were made of finer rayons, satins, silks, lace, damask, and high-end cottons. They were usually solid colors in vibrant colors like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep red. Of course, black was a popular color for cocktail dresses, too, which became known as ‘little black dresses.’ Deep navy blue was the next common choice. Shop these new 1950s party dresses below or read on for their history.

Cocktail Party Dress History

50s cocktail party dress decoration could either be very minimal with a little glass beading around the neckline or fully covered in sequins. The beauty in most 1950s cocktail dresses was in the design of the pleating, ruching, folds, and gathers. The fabric was bunched and draped in interesting patterns around the bodice and sometimes in the skirt as well. Most dresses had a wide sash band or thin belt in the same material as the dress. Scroll down or click here to read more history of the 1950s cocktail dress.

Shop 50s Cocktail Dresses

These are our favorite 1950s inspired cocktail dresses and party dresses sold online. Most are short, knee or tea length dresses, that were preferred over long evening gowns. Once you have your perfect dress add some heels, jewelry, and gloves. Learn about makeup and hairstyles too.

1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Margot - GreenWholesale Delivery & Returns  £125.00 AT vintagedancer.com
ZoeVine
£125.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950S Green Selma Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Wellwits Womens Keyhole Bowtie Collared 1940s Vintage Dress £19.98 AT vintagedancer.com
AmazonUK
£19.98
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses GRACE KARIN Boatneck Sleeveless Vintage Tea Dress Belt $31.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$31.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Ava Gown  Old Hollywood $99.00 AT vintagedancer.com
SecretsinLace
$99.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses MUXXN Womens 1950s Vintage 3/4 Sleeve Elegant Collar Cocktail Evening Dress $32.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$32.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses AISIZE Women 1940s Vintage Cute Golden Bow Bodycon Wiggle Dress $34.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$34.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Tecrio Women Elegant Vintage Floral Lace Capshoulder Cocktail Party Swing Dress $28.84 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$28.84
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses MUXXN Womens Retro 1950s Style Sleeveless Slim Business Pencil Dress $29.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$29.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses eShakti FX Floral Wool Embellished Illusion Tulle and Dupioni Dress - Customizable $94.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$94.95
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Nemidor Womens V-Neckline Stretchy Casual Midi Plus Size Bridesmaid Dress $29.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$29.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses MUADRESS Womens Retro 1950s Boat Neck Vintage Rockabilly Cocktail Party Dress $27.69 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$27.69
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Collectif Black  Sheer Swiss Dot Short Sleeve Wednesday Wiggle Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Womens Off The Shoulder Vintage 1950s Bowknot Sleeve Cocktail Party Swing Dress Retro Rockabilly Evening Wedding Prom Dress $42.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$42.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Emerald Green Delores Swing Dress With Sleeves $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Belle Poque Off Shoulder 1950s Vintage Dress Short Sleeve Homecoming Pencil Dress $27.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$27.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Black Stretch Sheer Bodice Shirelle Swing Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Tecrio Womens Vintage Floral Lace Off Shoulder Evening Party Prom Swing Dress $30.96 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$30.96
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses GRACE KARIN Womens 50s 60s Vintage Sleeveless V-Neck Cocktail Swing Dress $35.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$35.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Navy Windowpane Devon Swing Dress $98.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$98.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses ACSUSS Womens Cap-Sleeve Homecoming Vintage Tea Dress Floral Lace Cocktail Formal Swing Dress $35.95 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$35.95
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Audrey Hepburn/ Dress/ 50s/ Black White Dress/ 1950s/ Custom made dress/ Cocktail Dress/ Hollywood $207.81 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$207.81
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Black Prairie Swing Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses MUXXN Womens Classic Vintage Sweetheart Neckline Cocktail Prom Tea Dress $35.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$35.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Womens Summer 1950s Retro Polka Dots Lapel Collar Pencil Dress Cocktail Dresses $24.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$24.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses PAUL JONES Womens Off Shoulder Swing Dress Party Picnic Dress $37.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$37.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses MUXXN Womens Audrey Hepburn Style Short Sleeve Belt Waist Cocktail Tea Dress $32.99 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$32.99
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses “The Sabrina Dress”  1955 Evening Gown or Cocktail Dress $26.95 AT vintagedancer.com
ReconstructingHistory
$26.95
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1940S Style Black Swiss Dotted Mesh Heather Midi Dress $98.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$98.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Black Delores Swing Dress With Sleeves $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Style Black Stretch Sleeved Devon Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Megan Dress (3/4 Sleeves) - Black $108.00 AT vintagedancer.com
KarinaDresses
$108.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Gilded Grace Lace Dress in 26 - Fit  Flare Midi by Chi Chi London from ModCloth $179.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Modcloth
$179.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses I Love Lucy X Unique Vintage Black Swiss Dot Starlet Duster $98.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$98.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Dressystar Women Floral Lace Bridesmaid Party Dress Short Prom Dress V Neck $30.69 AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
$30.69
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Voodoo Vixen 1950S Black Frenchie Swing Dress $94.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$94.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Dressystar Women Floral Lace Bridesmaid Party Dress Short Prom Dress V Neck  AT vintagedancer.com
Amazon
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Womens Eliza J Sequin Floral Embroidery Fit  Flare Cocktail Midi Dress Size 10 - Blue $288.00 AT vintagedancer.com
NORDSTROMcom
$288.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950S Black Sasha Swing Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Pink Rainbow Ombre Tulle Alyssa Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Emerald Green Ruffled Tulle Sweetheart Cupcake Swing Dress $118.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$118.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950S Style Black Bengaline Sweetheart Lamar Swing Dress $98.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$98.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1960S Style Black Long Sleeve Mod Wiggle Dress $58.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$58.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses The Rosetta Halter Swing Dress in Black and Ivory £115.79 AT vintagedancer.com
TopVintage
£115.79
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Cream Mesh  Red Sequin Hearts Vanity Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950S White  Pink Floral Bertie Swing Dress $128.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$128.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1960S Black  White Collar Plaza Wiggle Dress $58.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$58.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Navy Nicola Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Plus Size 1950S Black Dior Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage Plus Size 1950S Black Selma Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Demi - BerryWholesale Delivery & Returns  £125.00 AT vintagedancer.com
ZoeVine
£125.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses 50s Monroe Dress in Black £24.95 AT vintagedancer.com
TopVintage
£24.95
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Plus Size Black Mesh  Red Embroidered Florals Sleeved Audrey Swing Dress $98.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$98.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Light Pink  White Gingham Amelia Swing Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S Black Sleeveless Delores Swing Dress $78.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$78.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1950S White  Pink Floral Bertie Swing Dress $128.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$128.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Unique Vintage 1960S Black Joanie Wiggle Dress $68.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$68.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses 1950S Red Off Shoulder Mona Swing Dress $82.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$82.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses 50s Dion Swing Dress in Black £24.95 AT vintagedancer.com
TopVintage
£24.95
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Grace Sarong Dress - Midnight Black $118.92 AT vintagedancer.com
Etsy
$118.92
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Florance Tea Dress in Black with matching Black Lace upper Authentic 1940s true vintage style £79.00 AT vintagedancer.com
RocknRomanceVintage
£79.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Amour in Noir Swing Cotton Dress in- Sleeveless Fit  Flare Knee Length Vintage Inspired by Voodoo Vixen from ModCloth $99.00 AT vintagedancer.com
Modcloth
$99.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses Megan Dress - Scarlet Velvet $68.00 AT vintagedancer.com
KarinaDresses
$68.00
1950s Cocktail Dresses, Party Dresses 1950S Style Black  White Daisy Print Ray Swing Dress $88.00 AT vintagedancer.com
UniqueVintage
$88.00

 

 

 

Black 1950s cocktail dresses and party dresses at VintageDancer.com

1950s cocktail dress

There are two 1950s cocktail dress silhouettes…

1950s Cocktail Dresses: The Swing Dress

Late 1950s party dresses, 1959

1959 Party Dresses

The first is what we consider swing dresses. They are full skirts, often worn with petticoats, with tight fitted bodices and either short cap sleeves or no sleeves at all. The sleeveless dress was a new invention in the 1950s and women embraced the fashion.

The circle dress shape was the choice dress for housewives and casual office workers worn without thick petticoats. However for evening wear, the dresses were dressed up with nicer materials and prettier decorations and usually had several very puffy petticoats underneath.

For very special formalwear, these full skirted dresses were longer and had larger amounts of tulle. Read more about full length and tea length prom and formal dresses here.

1957 Party Dresses

1957 Party Dresses

1950s Cocktail Dresses: The Sheath Dress

50's cocktail dress

1950s cocktail dresses. The little black dress was the most popular options. Learn more at VintageDancer.com

1959 Cocktail dresses

The other 1950s cocktail dress silhouette was the sheath dress. These dresses were a bit shorter and very slim around the body. The terms wiggle dress and pencil dress describe sheath dresses, although these variations are tighter than ’50s dresses were. The idea was to make a nice high waisted hourglass shape, yet still be able to walk and sit in them. Sheath dresses were especially popular with city women, Hollywood stars, and wives who married very well. 1950s sheath dresses had subtle design changes throughout the decade.

Today, the sheath style dress is very common for cocktail attire. The TV show Mad Men features most women wearing sheath dresses, which remained popular though the 1960s. With a  conservative sophisticated ’50s flair to sheath dresses, they have become new icons for the fashion runways today.

Both dresses can look amazing on any body type. Don’t let the 1950s ads fool you. Many women were quite voluptuous in the 1950s and they looked good in both styles.

Here are some 1950s style cocktail dresses for sale from around the web. Also check out 1950s Dresses, 1950s Plus Size dresses, and 1950s formal dresses for more options.

 

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VintageDancer.com links to clothing for sale online to make finding vintage inspired clothing easier.

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