You can definitely hang it up, just make sure it's not in direct sunlight (the dresses in the first picture look like they'll fade incredibly fast). I have a vintage silk kimono hung on my wall and it's lovely, although I'd never wear it so I don't mind if it does get a little faded.

It's very pretty, but I'd be hesitant to hang a beloved dress in the window for fear of the sun bleaching it. Hanging it off a bookcase, or wall though might be a nice way to admire a treasured vintage dress.

There may also be a problem with the thread rotting and crumbling so the seams pop open.

I think it would be better still if you could just find some more occasions to wear the dress. If you love it and it looks good on you, the best way to display it is on yourself.

How about using a dress form? I like to put a dress on mine when I'm not sewing. It makes it all look a bit more put together, and it distributes the weight of something vintage, which has to protect the seams a bit.

To girly girl for me. I would hang a kimono on the wall (but real kimono are actually works of art, so they work that way...) but never ever a dress. Sun doesn't only fade fabric, it damages the fibers so the garment will rip easily. Wear it or put it on a dress dummy in a "shady" corner, maybe...

Nope, never in my place! that's what closets and armoire are for.

I'm with AldoRojas. In all but one of those rooms, the hanging dress(es) are clutter-y and out of place. In the one that doesn't look cluttery, it still looks a bit out of place as it's the ONLY color in the room.

I used to do this in my old place, which had a picture rail in the bedroom.

Why not do it? If you have a visually interesting dress that rarely sees the light of day, and you're not willing to part with just yet, why not hang it up to enjoy it?

It's not for me. I can't think of a reason to leave clothes hanging out as though they are just getting some air before going back in the closet- but never made it. It reminds me of unfinished business, which I try to avoid!

I like dresses on dress forms because they *look* displayed. Dresses on hangers look like you can't be bothered to put it away.

The only dress display which has really worked for me was the antique wedding gown that my wedding photographer had hanging in her client room. It drapes from the ceiling with its train splayed. Other than that, I have this urge to put away all the dresses above. But then again, that's just my personal taste. Perhaps you could find an extra large suit hanger to help distribute the weight?

Ah, the David Garza fabulous pop song, "Slave":

Black, orange, white and red
dresses hanging off your bed...
From now until you reach your grave
Baby, I will be your slave.

Happy to have the song in my head just now, but ambivalent about the hanging dress as decor unless an abject admirer regards me as the object of his limerence.

In that were the case, it would be appropriate.

not exactly the same thing, but i've used t-shirts hung on tension rods as curtains before. : )