These are my picks, but I’d love to know what small vintage fashion items YOU love, in the comments.

A smattering of scatter pins

In the mid-20th century, a fashion trend emerged in which small, decorative pins were worn on dresses, sweaters and jackets to add a touch of whimsy and/or elegance. These little brooches, known as scatter pins, were designed to be clustered and mixed and matched. The motifs were often flowers, birds, or non-thematic rhinestone figurations, and there was also plenty of playfulness; you can find everything from a cat and mouse, to chickens and clocks. Sometimes the pins are of the same size, sometimes they are in two or three different sizes.

One of my favorite ways to wear scatter pins is in a collection of items of the same theme, but not made to match. These are all vintage swallow scatter pins available on Etsy right now.

Tiny tilt toppers

Miniature marvels of millinery, 1940s tilt hats, with their delicate proportions and jaunty angles, add a touch of vintage playfulness. Maybe it's the sheer audacity of these Lilliputian lids, perched precariously on the forehead, defying gravity and convention. These diminutive darlings remind us of a time when fashion was an art form. Particularly in the war-era of the 1940s, when so much else was rationed, fashions for hair and hats were at their peak. Whether perched atop a sleek updo or nestled among loose curls, these tiny titans of the millinery world hold incredible fascination. 

The terse purse

Holding just enough room for a lipstick, a coin and a whispered secret, diminutive vintage bags hold the smallest of fortunes and the greatest of joys. The tiny dance bags of the 1920s, often rivaling jewelry in their sparkling materials, detail and finesse, are a favorite. Similarly pint-sized purses meant for little girls now hold a wealth of memories. Then there are the vintage coin purses that carry more nostalgia than money—all proving that the smallest of things can bring the greatest of joys.

Also a fan of also-rans

More vintage fashion items that can grab the spotlight in their own right: Barrettes, collars, initial and name pins, Bakelite rings and quirky award pins. About that last—don’t knock the merit badge until you try it! Great conversations will ensue.

All the items shown are in the Etsy collection Tiny vintage fashion items. (affiliate link)

Now, what are your favorite wee wonders in the vintage fashion realm?

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