Stepped geometry, sunbursts, fans, and two-tone metalwork: art deco buttons carry the glamour of the 1920s and 30s, mostly through 1980s revivals that captured the style with better materials. These are statement buttons for coats, evening wear, and upcycling projects that need a focal point. Many pieces here combine antique gold or silver frames with black epoxy or acrylic stone centres, the signature deco contrast. Sold in matched packs with sizes listed on every product.
Art Deco Buttons: Geometry With Glamour
The art deco style — stepped forms, sunbursts, fans, hard symmetry — translated to buttons better than almost any other decorative movement, because a button is exactly the small, precious canvas deco loved. The designs here are largely 1980s revivals of the 1920s–30s originals, which is good news: the revival era had better plating and tougher materials than the originals, at a fraction of antique-dealer prices.
The signature look in this collection is gold or silver framing with black epoxy or acrylic-stone centres — maximum contrast, maximum geometry. These are focal-point buttons: one row down a coat front, a single closure on a cape or evening bag, cufflink-style accents on a jacket. They pair naturally with velvet, satin, and structured wools.
Deco lovers usually cross-shop rhinestone and jewelled buttons and the black collection for the full evening-wardrobe kit.
Vintage Art Deco Buttons — Questions, Answered
Are these original 1920s buttons?
Mostly no — they are 1980s–90s deco revivals, which we consider the sweet spot: authentic style, stronger materials, sane prices. Any genuinely earlier pieces are noted in their listings.
What projects suit art deco buttons?
Coats, evening wear, capes, structured jackets and bags — anywhere a button can be a focal point. One large deco shank as a single closure is the classic move.
What is the black centre material?
Usually glossy epoxy resin or acrylic stone set in a metal frame — the revival-era version of the Bakelite and glass used in the 1920s. It photographs and wears like polished stone.
Do deco buttons work on modern minimalist clothes?
Beautifully — deco geometry reads as intentional design rather than decoration. A row of stepped gold-and-black buttons on a plain black coat is the easiest high-fashion trick in sewing.
