October 1, 2009

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)

35 comments:

  1. Cute!!! I love those earrings. I bet you could pair a nice, crisp white blouse with that earthy skirt, and the earrings would look cute with it.

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  2. These are all wonderful. I do love things with birds. What's funny though is when I think of birds I'm always thinking about Hitchcock's movie. Hope you're having a great week.

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  3. Great finds! I too plug in '50s dress' whenever I search Etsy. Then I move on to 'hats' and then 'wiggle dress'. Ha!

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  4. Cute finds!
    I laughed when I started reading this post because I have the same top three search phrases as you do when I'm browsing through etsy!
    I don't think I own an bird themed articles of clothing, though I do have earrings that are little birds. I would wear something with birds on it if it was a cute pattern like some of the items you found. I definitely wouldn't wear anything too tropical looking or with a huge parrot on it or something, that is for sure ;)

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  5. Love the peacock sweater. I tend to be a sweater girl, cardigans turtlenecks, anything warm and snuggly!
    Really love the lines of the first dress but just couldn't do that bird print :)
    I always love the things you share. Have a terrific day my friend!!

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  6. so cute! I looked up 50's dresses the other day! and I also love those cardinal earings

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  7. I love it all, but the first dress?! Awesome!

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  8. Oh man, those outfits are amazing. Love the sweater and that skirt! omg.... I love birds anyway...But those things are rockin!

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  9. I don't know if I would dare to wear the birds myself.....these are cute though! and it's funny, but I tend to think of spring and summer when I think of birds :-)

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  10. Fabulous outfits...love birds and that red dress is so pretty!! This makes me think of Spring and all that is ahead!! Enjoy the rest of your day!! xOxO Nerina :)

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  11. Now that I am made to think about it, I don't think I have a single piece of clothing or jewelry that are bird themed. And yet I have seen many items that are bird themed that I love. I really like the first dress with the roosters on it!

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  12. Thank you for your lovely comment :) Oh my goodness, eyelet and broderie anglaise also conjure up the same images, I actually purchased an antique blouse with both needlework and unfortunately it does not fit :(

    The red robin earrings are so cute! I love the first dress posted as well!

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  13. Thank you for all your lovely thoughts on my blog! The clothing you've found are a delight, who'd have thought birds would have been so popular and used so much upon material! Love the first dress - its gorgeous!

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  14. I love birds too- these are some lovely feathered finds- as always you know what we MUST see!

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  15. Oh ! Jessica !
    That's beautiful !
    Thank you so much !

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  16. The first dress - the roaster one - drives me crazy! It's gorgeous! But I would die for the blue and white gingham one.
    Red cardinals make me think about the movie "Sleepy Hollow", and Depp/Ichabod Crane's funny trick with the card.

    I've noticed the "birds are back" trend, too: at a country fair I've found a lovely pair of peacock-shaped earrings, and I had 'em for a song (a friend was talking to me, suddenly stopped, goggled at me and said "Ehm. I'm sorry... You do know there are two peacocks on your ears, do you?"), and a friend made me green with envy 'cause she found THIS (Monsoon Accessorize):
    http://life.style.it/detailsmemo/upl_pics/487649_8_final.jpg
    a phenomenal (bus heavy as a stone, she says!) copper pendant that had the shape of an old bird-cage: and inside it a tiny blue bird rolls on a microscopic swing... Won't you be insanely desirious of such a cutie? :)

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  17. Those are beautiful - all of them. I love those earrings especially. And the cardigan (because I adore cardigans of all kinds).

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  18. What beautiful picks! Particularly love the dress that includes the bird cages. I don't have anything with birds, but I do have hats with feathers and plumes.

    xoxoxo Hope you are having a great week!

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  19. Lovely finds, Jessica! Thank you for your visit, today! Enjoy your evening, sweetie!
    http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com

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  20. That sweater is gorgeous. I have a few that are VERY similar in print and were from Macy's last winter. GORGEOUS!

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  21. GORGEOUS finds, Jessica! I am besotted with my 1940s blue jay dress...it's still my all-time favourite vintage find.

    xoxo.

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  22. Wow, great finds! Such cute things! (I love the bird earings) I hope you are well!

    <3 Gina

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  23. Gorgeous vintage fashion today! I adore birds in fashion.

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  24. How funny that both you and www.adelinesattic.blogspot.com posted about birds. The first dress with the white and orange birds is simply da boom!

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  25. The earrings are so so sweet. I'm seeing a lot of long necklaces featuring birds in a birdcage. And Christina at her Down and Out Chic etsy shop has some very cute bird hairpins and earrings.

    I don't think I have anything that features birds but I have ceramic birds up on my wall as well as proper birds (canaries) as pets!

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  26. I want the last skirt!! Love all that tulle! You always have great pics.. Hope your having a great day... talk to you soon!

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  27. Oh you pick the most beautiful things!

    I don't think I've any birds on outfits, I love them though.
    xxx

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  28. Hi Jessica,
    Lovely finds indeed! I personally do not own anything vintage w/birds & not sure if I would be able to pull it off? Have a great weekend friend! <3

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  29. Lovely choices! I especially love the cardigan!

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  30. I love the birdy earrings, they are just divine, and terribly sweet!

    I adore your blog, and have just become a follower :)

    *hugs*

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  31. *drool* Those are such great finds!!!

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  32. Wonderful finds! I have a 1970s wrap skirt that has parrots all over it, which I am looking forward to wearing again this summer. =D
    -Andi x

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  33. Hello sweet dears, thank you each deeply for your fantastic comments. I loved reading them and thank everyone for sharing your thoughts on birds and vintage fashion with me.

    Wishing you a tranquil and gorgeous Sunday,
    ♥ Jessica

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  34. That's a very nice theme! I actually own a dress with birds printed on, but they're swallows so it's not very fall-ish. Unless you imagine the swallows are leaving, but that would be pretty sad indeed!

    By the way, "50s dress" is my most common online search as well :-)

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  35. @ AlicePleasance, swallows are so darling, they're one of my absolute favourite birds. I'm sure your dress is beautiful! (How special that we both use "50s dress" prolifically when searching on etsy!)

    Have a wonderful week ahead, sweetie - big hugs!
    ♥ Jessica

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