Quick answer: Vintage flocked buttons are round, decorative buttons with a soft, velvet-look flocked face, framed by a gold-tone beaded double ring and topped with an ornate gold-tone medallion at the center. They come in classic white or black, use a shank (loop) back for sewing, and pair a plush, textured surface with bright metal for a refined, designer-inspired finish. A single button adds instant vintage character to a coat, blazer or cardigan.
Looking for buttons that look like small pieces of couture jewelry rather than plain fasteners? Vintage flocked buttons combine a soft, velvety face with a shining gold-tone ring and medallion, so they lift a plain garment into something that feels tailored and expensive. The flocked surface adds texture, the beaded ring catches the light, and because they attach through a shank on the back, the decorative face stays clean and sits proud of the fabric. This buying guide explains what vintage flocked buttons are, the colors and sizes available, how to sew them on, how to choose the right size and how to care for them, so you can add them to your next project with confidence.
At a Glance
- Material: Durable metal alloy with a soft, flocked (velvet-look) face
- Type: Shank button — a metal loop on the back, sewn on (no front holes)
- Design: Flocked center with a gold-tone beaded double ring and an ornate medallion
- Colors: White and black flocked face, both with gold-tone metal
- Sizes: 15mm, 17.5mm, 22mm and 25mm
- Sold: 5 buttons per set
- Best for: Coats, blazers, suits, cardigans, knitwear, blouses, bags and DIY sewing
- Wholesale: Available for bulk and trade orders, factory-direct
What Are Vintage Flocked Buttons?
Vintage flocked buttons are decorative buttons that pair a soft, flocked (velvet-look) face with a gold-tone metal frame. The center has a plush, velvety surface in white or black, framed by a delicate gold-tone beaded double ring and finished with an ornate gold-tone medallion that catches the light. “Shank” refers to the small loop on the back of the button: instead of stitching through holes on the front, you sew through this hidden loop, which keeps the flocked face clean and lets the button sit slightly raised above the fabric. Made from a sturdy metal alloy, they have a quality, weighty feel and a collected, designer-inspired look, while remaining easy to sew. Each set contains five matching buttons.
How Do Vintage Flocked Buttons Attach?
Each button has a shank — a small metal loop — moulded onto the back. To attach it, you pass your needle and thread through the fabric and then through this loop several times, rather than through holes on the front of the button. This has two advantages: the decorative flocked face and gold-tone ring stay completely smooth and unbroken, and the small gap created by the shank leaves room for thicker fabric to sit underneath, which is ideal for knitwear and coats. Because there are no front holes, the design is the star of the button, and the stitching stays hidden on the underside of your garment.
What Colors Do Vintage Flocked Buttons Come In?
There are two classic finishes, so you can set the tone of any piece:
- White — a fresh, feminine white flocked face that suits pastels, cream knits and light spring coats.
- Black — a timeless, formal black flocked face that pairs beautifully with camel, red, navy and grey garments.
Both colors share the same warm gold-tone beaded ring and medallion center, so they coordinate easily with gold-tone hardware and other warm-tone details. You can keep a single color for a coordinated finish, or mix white and black for a smart, contrasting look.
Why Choose Vintage Flocked Buttons?
Vintage flocked buttons are an easy, affordable way to give plain garments a sense of craftsmanship and vintage elegance. The flocked surface adds a soft texture that flat buttons simply cannot, while the gold-tone beaded ring and medallion bring shine and a designer-inspired feel. Because they use a shank rather than front holes, the decorative face stays clean and the button sits neatly proud of the fabric. They are a quick way to upgrade a charity-shop find, replace a set of dull buttons, or add a couture-style detail to a handmade piece — and with five buttons per set, you have enough for most cardigans and jackets. For makers and sellers, that mix of low cost, vintage appeal and wide use makes them easy to stock and recommend.
How Do You Choose the Right Vintage Flocked Buttons?
Color and Style
Start with the mood you want. A black flocked face gives a formal, timeless look that suits tailored coats and blazers, while a white flocked face feels fresh and feminine on lighter knits and spring coats. The gold-tone ring and medallion add warmth to both, so they sit well with earthy, neutral and jewel-colored fabrics and with other gold-tone hardware such as zips and buckles.
Size and Fit
Because these are shank buttons, check that the size suits both your buttonhole and the weight of your fabric. The 15mm and 17.5mm sizes are lovely for blouses, shirts and lightweight cardigans, while 22mm and 25mm make a bolder statement on coats, jackets and blazers. If you are replacing existing buttons, measure the old button and your buttonhole first so the new ones fasten easily and sit flush.
Quantity
Work out how many buttons your project needs and add a spare or two. Each set contains five buttons, which covers most cardigans and jackets; for a long coat or a bigger project, buy an extra set so every button matches.
How Do You Sew On Vintage Flocked Buttons?
- Thread a needle with a double length of matching thread and knot the end.
- Mark the spot for the button and bring the needle up through the fabric from the back.
- Pass the needle through the shank loop on the back of the button.
- Stitch down through the fabric and back up through the loop several times until the button feels secure.
- Wind the thread a few times around the stitches beneath the button to form a neat base, then knot off on the wrong side and trim.
How Do You Care for Vintage Flocked Buttons?
These buttons have a metal alloy base with a gold-tone finish and a flocked face, so a little care keeps them looking their best. Where possible, remove them before machine washing, or wash the garment gently inside out or inside a laundry bag. Avoid soaking, bleach, perfume and abrasive cleaners, which can dull the metal or flatten the flocking over time. Gently brush the flocked surface and wipe the metal with a soft, dry cloth, and store spare buttons in a small pouch or box away from moisture. Treated this way, the flocked face stays plush and the gold-tone detail stays bright for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vintage flocked buttons made of real velvet and solid gold? No. They are made from a durable metal alloy with a flocked, velvet-look face and a gold-tone finish, which gives the luxe vintage look while keeping them hard-wearing and affordable.
What is a shank button? A shank button has a small loop on the back instead of holes on the front. You sew through this loop, so the decorative face stays smooth and the button sits slightly raised above the fabric.
Can I buy vintage flocked buttons in bulk? Yes. They are available for wholesale and bulk orders with trade pricing, alongside single sets for home use.
What colors and sizes are available? They come in white and black, in four sizes: 15mm, 17.5mm, 22mm and 25mm.
How many buttons are in a set? Each set includes five matching buttons, ready for sewing, repairs and craft projects.
What can I use them for? Coats, jackets, blazers, suits, cardigans, knitwear, blouses, bags and all kinds of DIY sewing and craft projects.
Rule of Thumb
Pick the color for the mood (black for formal and timeless, white for fresh and feminine), match the size to your buttonhole and fabric weight, and buy a spare set for longer projects. Because they sew on through a shank, the flocked face and gold-tone ring stay clean and take center stage on every garment.
Where to Buy
Ready to add some vintage character to your wardrobe? Browse our range of vintage flocked buttons — in classic white and black, from 15mm up to 25mm — and pick the color and size that suit your project. Not sure which size will fit your buttonholes? Get in touch using the contact details at the bottom of this page and we will be happy to help.
Can You Buy Vintage Flocked Buttons Wholesale?
Yes. As a button manufacturer, we offer vintage flocked buttons for wholesale and bulk orders, with trade pricing for boutiques, fashion brands, tailors and craft studios. Whether you are stocking a haberdashery, adding vintage-style details to a clothing line, or putting together DIY sewing kits, we ship factory-direct worldwide. Tell us the colors, sizes and quantities you need, using the contact details below, and we will reply with a wholesale quote and bulk availability.
Get in Touch
Have a question about our vintage flocked buttons, or want a wholesale quote? Contact our customer service team and we will be happy to help.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +86 158-8823-7906
- Address: No. 163, Hanbu Road, Qiaoxia Town, Yongjia County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, 325106