Evening dresses vary from ballerina to maxi length and are generally made of expensive fabrics such as lace, silk chiffon, satin, organza, velvet, etc.. Also well-known as court dresses they emerged in the 15th century with the grow of the Burgundian court.
Wool, in different weaves, was the most major widely used fabric at the time. Rich fibres were frequently the domain of the aristocracy, used as an identifier of social level and importance. Also silk (firmly established around 1400 in the Mediterranean) became stylish for those who could afford it. Dresses for court balls and similar celebrations were often made of intricately woven silk and trimmed with luxurious furs to emphasize the wearer's social position. The Italian Renaissance courts were the summit of style and elegance in Europe. With the beginning of the Baroque era, 17th century court dresses featured draped skirts with long trains, tight bodices, low necklines trimmed with lace, and embroidery. At the beginning of late 18th century, the term "evening gown" emerged, as balls and official dances were no longer the only domain of royals and nobility. The French Revolution had caused social disturbance, and strongly tiled the place of upper-middle and upper class society. A common silhouettes for evening wear, just as for day wear, was the high-waisted empire or regency dress. Evening versions traited lowers necklines, short sleeves, highly structured fabrics and embroidery. Evening styles has changed radically during the 19th century, and expand from the relatively simple classically inspired shape of the early decades to progressively fuller skirts and, at times, sleeves. During the Edwardian period, or Belle Epoque, the s-shaped figure was stylish which included a very slim waist. Straight away preceding and during World War I, shape became looser and more fluid as a forerunner to the boyish silhouettes of the 1920s. Along with the Empire cut, over the years the sheath, mermaid, A-line, and trumpet form became fashionable. Also, the dropped waist and princess style were trendy, depending on the period (based on Wikipedia)