At last A trend I can really get behind! In the UK we call them brooches, I believe in the US they are called pins, correct me if I am wrong? Then again in the US what we call a badge, Americans call a button, we think we speak the same language but we don’t! As a vintage lover I have always admired a twinkling old brooch. Therefore, I am very happy to see this trend creeping in to all our wardrobes, or should I say closets?!
The Brooch is Back…
Pin them to coats, denim jackets and (carefully) attach to knitwear. Brooches are fantastic when used to fasten a scarf or a cape or a wrap. They are always handy for adding interest to a classic white shirt. I have even been know to pin one to the pocket of my jeans…
The humble beginnings of the Brooch
Before buttons, the brooch began as a way to secure items of clothing. The first recorded brooches were seen in the Bronze Age. Simply crafted from flint, wood or base metals and comprising of a simple pin, fastened into a circular ring. In Northern Europe, the brooch was primarily used to fasten heavy cloaks and garments during the harsh winters.
Lady Hale and the Spider Brooch that broke the Web! (get it?)
On the September 24th 2019 Lady Hale, the UK’s 74 year old Supreme court president, ruled against Boris Johnston’s decision to close parliament. She was filmed declaring the decision to the world, whilst wearing a large spider brooch! Ever since then, the search for similar spider brooches has become a breakout search term, with everyone looking for animal/insect shaped brooches. There was even a t-shirt made of it, that raised funds for the homeless!
I have a large collection of brooches:
Some in the modern style: many gifted to me by close friends who know my magpie tendencies!
Some in a vintage style, these include a few of my favourites…
The middle one below is a favourite by Butler & Wilson I bought by myself in the late 1980’s from the South Molten St shop:
For instant style Kudos a retro brooch is all you need!
Do you remember the one I wore with my old denim jacket in the summer ?
Where I find my vintage jewellry.
In a word my local charity shops. I dive into that basket of jumbled beaded items,usually found by the till. Dig out the dross and at the bottom of the pile you can sometimes find treasure!
Of course a simple search on eBay will always reveal a few vintage bargains. There are also some gorgeous ones on Etsy at the moment!
Are you wearing your ‘pins’ this winter, I’d love to know! Do you have any special ones, perhaps with special memories attached to them?
More Vintage posts you may have missed!
Remember these? A Vintage Polaroid Camera collection
How to wear a Vintage Blouse & make it Look On Trend for Autumn
That Austin Dress In a Dorset Field
My 5 Most Popular Style blog posts of 2018 + Outtakes
6 Exceedingly Stylish Style Bloggers
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Ashley, I love this post! I have a pretty large collection of brooches myself (I do call them brooches, by the way, even here in the US). My collection is a variety of vintage and newer ones as well. I haven’t worn one in quite some time, but strangely enough, I attached a large pearly flower brooch to the red sweater dress that I am wearing today (it will be on the blog soon). My sister is obsessed with vintage brooches and she also scours local charity shops for hers. They are so much. I even like adding them to hats. I need to wear them more often! I love your collection. So cool!
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Thank you Shelbee
Glad to know I am not alone in my love of vintage!
Ashley x
My grandma believed that a brooch could really set an outfit apart. She had a wonderful selection of brooches but I don’t think I could wear one myself.
Author
Thank you for your comment, a brooch can be a very special item of jewelry and always makes an outfit unique!
I absolutely love nothing more than a designer brooch. I have been wearing them for a few years now even if some people haven’t agreed with my fashion sense. The Chanel brooches can actually make a great collectible as they are always releasing new collections (the limited edition ones sell for a small fortune on eBay). Earlier this year I found a 1980’s YSL brooch in the vintage markets in Nice. I assume / hope it is legit and was so happy when I found it 🙂
Author
Hi Shelley
I love that shop in the vintage markets in France they are some of the best! Your YSL sounds gorgeous.
I have Chanel costume jewellry but need to add a Chanel brooch to my collection now!
bestest wishes
Ashley x
I love brooches. The most I bought them in English antique stores! And I love animal brooches the most. Your swan ones are gorgeous!
Author
Thank you Nancy!
I love the old ones best too, my wan brooches are part of my swan collection!
bestest xxx
Love your collection of broaches. I used to wear them but haven’t for years. However, I’m on the look out for a cockatoo broach and if I find one I’ll wear it.
Author
Claire a cockatoo brooch sounds perfect! If I see one on my travels I will let you know!
xxx
I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on one of those T_shirts! Yes to broaches being on trend. I still have some from the eighties!
Author
I love that the t-shirt is raising money for the homeless too!
xxx
Ashley, you have made me fall in love with brooches again. Both my grandma and mum had a few that looked
very similar to the ones in your photographs. I have bags in the loft that I need to check. I’m wondering if they
are there. They do make a jacket or sweater more interesting. I love the vintage ones the best. Beautiful pics
as always.
Alison xx
Author
Hi Alison, ooooh an attic trip sounds exciting, you really must have a look and let me know what you find too?
Ashley xxx
I live in southern US and have always called them brooches. I love them and am very happy to hear they’re coming back. My husband used to buy me brooches as souvenirs when we were single and took trips together. I’d love to pull them out and start wearing them again!
Author
Hi Diane,
How fabulous to have brooches as souvenir of your younger years with your husband, you must find them and start wearing them again.
let me know if you do?
bestest wishes
Ashley xxx