2023-11-05 12:15:31
A piece of jewelry that is often considered old-fashioned is the brooch, whether as an antique heirloom or as costume jewelry. Of course, this is also because the elegant pin doesn’t really fit in with the ubiquitous sports and streetwear. But it is precisely this combination that makes a contemporary statement. Because the effect that the skillful combination of seemingly inappropriate things has is guaranteed to make for a brilliant appearance in fashion.
A simple cardigan, the vintage jacket from Adidas, a bomber jacket or even the beloved Levi’s trucker jacket made of denim: a brooch gives our outerwear a big dose of extravagance in no time.
For more than 25 years, I have worn the Helmut Lang denim jacket I purchased in 1997 at every Chanel fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. This is my very personal tradition. The jacket is a classic that cannot be killed, but it is actually far too simple for such an event. But no one ever noticed, because all eyes are always on what adorns this jacket: a changing, large vintage Chanel brooch. It breaks the simplicity of the jacket and gives it a decent dose of glamour.
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But it doesn’t have to be a spectacular example of Cartier or Tiffany’s to make an impression. Fashion jewelry from well-known brands also works. On vintage platforms like Vestiaire Collective or Vinted you can easily find special statement pieces that are often more original than real jewelry brooches – and of course much cheaper. In addition to American fashion jewelry legends like Kenneth Jay Lane, there is jewelry from Dior, Saint Laurent, Valentino and Chanel. Versace gold safety pins are making a comeback in current collections. And original pieces by Miu Miu, Prada or Sonia Rykiel are often offered for little money.
Chic Chanel from Karl Lagerfeld’s Edinburgh 2013 collection: The vintage platform Vestiaire Collective has many designer brooches on offer, and the authentication service means you can be sure that the pieces are authentic.Peter Kempe
Incidentally, costume jewelry has always been much more exciting than real jewelry because the materials are not as precious or difficult to process and can follow fashion at short notice. If you want something more subtle, you can start with Vivienne Westwood pins or festival buttons. Placed in small groups on the bomber jacket, the badges don’t immediately appear as established.
For a more unconventional touch, the brooch can also change its place. If you don’t want to wear it conventionally on your chest like the Queen or Madeleine Albright, let me tell you: there are many places where the brooch looks great. For example, pinned to a simple linen tote bag, to a looped scarf or on the welt of a jacket pocket as a surprise effect. The lapel of a coat or a shirt cuff looks even more impressive if it has an elongated pin or an original brooch.
Opposites attract: whether it’s an opulent diamond brooch on a cheap H&M cardigan or a 70s piece from grandma’s box on an expensive designer blazer. Combining very different pieces of jewelry next to each other, such as a Chanel brooch and a Mainzelmännchen pin, also makes a contemporary statement. The difference enhances the effect and sets individual accents in the styling. Try it out, brooches encourage communication – you’re guaranteed to be asked about it.
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