Vintage fashion is going to the birds :)

Undoubtedly one of the most common search terms I plug into etsy each week is “1950s dresses” (1940s dresses and 1950s skirts follow close behind). By and large I do this both out of personal interest and in the hopes of discovering finds that I think my readers will enjoy.

One such recent search brought up not one, not two, but three frocks all sporting a bird theme, which somehow seemed rather fitting for this time of the year (I’ve noticed “momentary trends” like this before within the scope of broad search terms and am always intrigued when such things occur). Further digging unearthed even more delightful vintage items of clothing and jewelry with avian themes to them, all of which are worth chirping about! :)

As a society we often associate birds with autumn in general (think of inky hued ravens, crackling crows, sagely owls, migrating geese, and Thanksgiving turkeys), so I thought that on this first day of October I would share my recent ornithological themed finds with you all. (Please not all items are from etsy and all prices are in US dollars.)






{While at first glance this prettily cut dress looks as though its covered in a white and orange geometric pattern, it is in fact splashed with a roaster motif! The colours in this cute farm animal themed frock would make for the perfect dress to wear all through the Halloween season, don’t you think? Vintage 1950s cotton dress, fits a 26/28” waist/36” bust, $145.00 from Land of 1000 Dresses.}



{A preciously sweet little pair of blue birds stair lovingly into one another’s eyes in this metal, enamel and rhinestone brooch, which measures an inch long by an inch and a quarter wide. $6.50 from Chimeriwish.}



{Long revered for its regal beauty (and much sought after for its plumage), peacocks have been a popular bird for centuries. Here they appear on a lovely cardigan in shades of blue, green and red, creating a colour pallet that would work well with other pieces in numerous hues. 1950s wool/wool blend cardigan, fits a 31” waist/36” bust, $58.00 from Dusty Rose Vintage.}



{A muted pallet of earth tones cover this full skirt; a closer look reveals an ethnic inspired pattern of birds, bugs, suns, shapes, and wavy squiggles. Vintage late 50s or early 60s skirt with original black woven belt, fits a 28” waist/free hips, $36.00 from The Church of Vintage.}



{A quaint little pair of red cardinal grace these resin, kidney wire back earrings from the 1950s. I think these earrings would look wonderful with everything from shirtwaist dresses to winter sweaters, their timeless motif almost appearing to sing into your ear. Vintage metal costume jewelry earrings, $12.00 from Glamaroni.}



{While at first glance you might just think this pretty candy apple red dress – with its utterly adorable off-centre row of buttons down the front – is covered in flowers, however woven between those tiny blooms are darling pairs of kissing hummingbirds. Vintage 1950s sleeveless dress, fits a 26” waist/32.5” bust, $75.00 from Freestyle Vintage Co..}



{There is something so country chic about this navy blue and white 1950s day dress done up in a large gingham-esque pattern with images of birds and horns adorning some of its squares. Rick-rack accented vintage dress, fits 44” waist/40” bust, $30.50 from Green Dragon Lady.}



{Zoom in close on this short sleeved, light weight button down blouse and you’ll discover a wonderfully pretty pattern of dusty blue birds jetting every which way. 1950s cotton blouse, fits a 42” bust/waist not specified, $22.00 from Cats and Crickets.}



{Whimsy and beauty swirl across this generously full skirt, which features an adorable pattern of clocks, flowers, fruit, and birds in birdcages all in shades of pink, green and white set atop a solid black background. Vintage 1950s novelty print skirt, fits a 25 to 30” waist/free hips, $74.99 from Jumblelaya.}



{Graceful miniature swans in hues of yellow, green, turquoise, purple and white seem to almost float atop a sea of black in this lovely short-sleeved 1950s dress, complete with nehru collar and full skirt. Vintage novelty print dress, fits a 25” waist/34” bust, $85.00 from Land of 1000 Dresses.}


I that know that not everyone is a fan of “real world” birds (perhaps we have Messieurs Poe and Hitchcock to thank/blame in part for that), but when adorning such delightful vintage pieces as the ones above, it’s hard not to carve out a soft spot in your heart (and closest) for items sporting images of our feathered friends.

Do you own any pieces that feature birds, or would you wear a bird bedecked outfit? Aside from a beloved pair of earrings with swallows on them, I don’t have much in the way of bird themed items in my wardrobe, but I think, much to my cat’s delight, that I wouldn’t hesitate to swoop down on more if the situation to do presented itself. (Must resist making a joke about how “a bird themed dress in the hand is worth two online” ;D)