Now that the jeans-and-T-shirts plague has reached our fancy restaurants, cocktail parties, and nightclubs, it seems as though nobody cares about dressing up anymore. And yet, as fashions become increasingly casual, the perfect party dress is like a secret weaponâ??turning anyone into a rose among daisies.
Since vintage is in vogue, you can find chic, well-made frocks, and afford them, too. Vintage isnâ??t just for commoners, either: Retro looks are regularly featured on the red carpet, with celebrities plucking gowns from past designer collections or straight from the racks of vintage stores. But with so many classic dresses to choose from, what are the most stunning, decade-defining looks?
Itâ??s a perfect question for Jacqueline WayneGuite, a writer, researcher, and fashion archivist whoâ??s worked with institutions across the U.S. and currently manages the garment collection at Columbia College Chicago. In 2012, WayneGuite also launched her blog, The Hourglass Files, to catalog her favorite styles, designers, exhibitions, and other forgotten tidbits of couturiers past. â??I really value accessibility,â? says WayneGuite, â??and making fashion history available to everyone. In my job I get to share it with students, but on the blog, itâ??s for the general public. People connect with fashion history because clothes are very tangibleâ??everyone wears them. But thereâ??s not a lot of reputable information out there.â?
Just in time for the Oscars, WayneGuite helped us compile a gorgeous, decade-by-decade guide to the best party dresses of the 20th century, looks as show-stopping today as when they first hit the scene.
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