16 Vintage 1980s Sewing Patterns for a Gown Goddess

Step back into the 1980s with this curated collection of 15 vintage sewing patterns for a Gown Goddess. The ’80s were an era of fashion marked by bold silhouettes, opulent fabrics, and unapologetic extravagance.

Vogue Designer Original 2276 by Designer Bellville Sassoon

This head-turning dress reminds me of that scene in Cruella (2021) when all the guests show up at the Baroness’s party wearing black and white. It’s deliciously evil and more black than white.

Vogue American Designer 1117 by Designer Jerry Silverman

Be a queen in Jerry Silverman’s long gown with an attached sash that falls dramatically from the shoulder.

Vogue Paris Original 1555 by Designer Emanuel Ungaro

There is drama in the front and more drama in the back. This pattern only needs a long flowy pair of pants instead of a skirt to bring it up to date.

Vogue American Designer 1189 by Kasper

The sweet black and white version brings to mind Katherine Hepburn, but the sophisticated black and brown gown is too sultry to be called cute.

Vogue Paris Original 2212 by Designer Nina Ricci

The silhouette of this black gown is eerily beautiful. Perfect for a black widow to wear at her husband’s funeral.

Vogue American Designer 2409 by Designer Albert Nipon

You can never have too many off-the-shoulder ruffles, as this two-piece gown suggests.

Butterick 5349 Business-Style Evening Gown

Here is a dress for the woman who means business, especially at night. She is getting the job done in style. I wonder when we are going to see side ties as big as this one again.

Simplicity 8353 Dramatic Gown

Easy to sew, easy to rule the world (or underworld, whatever you prefer). I’m not sure about the short version, but I need that long gown when I feel as melodramatic as she looks.

Vogue Individualist 1894 by Designer Claude Montana

Don’t pay attention to the front of this dress, only the back that is bandaged together.

Style 1198 by Designer Caroline Charles

This dress was no doubt inspired by Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin,’ which came out in 1984. The pink version anyway. The black version brings to mind ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ (1986).

Vogue Paris Original 1996 by YvesSaintLaurent

This pink dress is what all the girls wanted after watching Molly Ringwold in ‘Pretty in Pink’ (1986). If you happen to be over age 40 and headed to Paris, the black sheath dress is what you must wear.

Vogue Paris Original 2834 by Christian Dior

Green puffy sleeves, green puffy skirt, and purple camisole. This must be an elf from the 80s. Sorry, Christian Dior. The black version looks nice.

Vogue American Designer 1562 by Designer Adelle Simpson

All wrapped up with a big side tie again. I must admit that I do like it.

Vogue Paris Original 2523 by Designer Pierre Balmain

No patterns could bring the drama like Vogue Paris Originals. This one was inspired by the 1985 movie Cocoon.

Butterick 4870 Slip Dresses and Double Breasted Robe

Butterick meant this pattern to be slips and a robe. But today these slip dresses are for going out. Wear the dramatic robe to keep you warm as you walk from the car to the gala in the winter.

Butterick 3495 By Designer Nicole Miller

In case you forgot the big hair of the 1980s, hairstyles have not been bigger since, at least for women. The 2020s are the decade of big hair on men.

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