Trend Prediction The Brooch is Back

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:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]For instant style Kudos a retro brooch is all you need![/perfectpullquote]

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 or Etsy will always reveal a few vintage bargains.