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Old Gold, New Rules: Why Vintage Brooches Are Fashions’ Next Big Thing
Brooches have adorned clothing for centuries, quietly evolving alongside fashion itself. Once purely functional, later symbolic, and at times extravagant, the brooch has always reflected the mood of its era. Today, this historic accessory is enjoying a powerful revival. As fashion moves toward individuality, sustainability, and self-expression, vintage brooches feel more relevant than ever.
Long before zips and buttons, brooches were essential fasteners, securing garments while also signalling status and identity. As craftsmanship developed, these practical objects became deeply decorative. By the early twentieth century, brooches had established themselves as a cornerstone of personal adornment, worn not only to embellish clothing but also to communicate sentiment, taste, and belonging.
Throughout the twentieth century, brooch design mirrored social change. Each decade left its own mark, transforming the brooch from delicate ornament to bold statement. The early 1900s favoured romantic, nature-inspired designs, while the 1920s and 1930s embraced the clean lines and geometry of Art Deco. After the austerity of wartime, the mid-century period celebrated optimism through expressive, often playful forms. By the time the 1980s arrived, brooches had become symbols of confidence and power, worn boldly at the neck of shirts and blouses in place of necklaces.
Fashion today is turning away from uniform trends and leaning into individuality. Vintage brooches fit perfectly within this shift. They offer character, craftsmanship, and uniqueness, qualities increasingly valued in a world of mass production.
In 2026 brooches are set to become a defining accessory. Not as delicate finishing touches, but as focal points, brooches are being chosen and curated thoughtfully and worn with intention rather than impulse.
The resurgence of vintage brooches is also deeply connected to sustainability. Repurposing and rewearing jewellery extends the life of beautifully made objects, reducing the demand for newly mined materials and energy-intensive production. Many vintage brooches were crafted to last, using techniques and materials rarely found in modern mass-market accessories
Choosing vintage is a conscious act. It values what already exists and celebrates longevity over disposability. Brooches, in particular, lend themselves to reinvention. A piece once worn on a formal coat can be restyled on denim, a handbag, or a shirt collar, instantly giving it new relevance. In this way, repurposing jewellery becomes both an ethical choice and a creative one, allowing wearers to honour the past while shaping their own modern aesthetic.
One of the most striking modern interpretations is the use of multiple brooch clusters, worn together. Grouped thoughtfully, they create visual impact and allow the wearer to curate a personal narrative. Some collections are united by colour, others by theme, florals, abstract shapes, or figurative designs and some deliberately mix eras to create contrast.
These clusters feel organic and collected rather than styled. They also encourage rewearing and rediscovering pieces that might otherwise remain hidden in a jewellery box.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the brooch revival is how it is worn. No longer confined to the lapel, brooches are appearing in unexpected places. Worn at the neck of a shirt, they echo the bold styling of the 1980s. Used to gather fabric on a plain blouse or dress, they add structure and detail without tailoring.
Brooches are also being pinned to jeans, bags, scarves, shoes, and ties, blurring the line between jewellery and accessory. These placements feel modern, playful, and wearable, making brooches part of everyday dressing rather than reserved for special occasions.
Brooches have never belonged exclusively to women, and their return to men’s fashion is one of the most compelling aspects of the trend. Historically, men wore brooches as symbols of rank, affiliation, and power. Today, they are being reclaimed as expressions of individuality and confidence.
Modern menswear embraces brooches on tailoring, knitwear, shirts, and outerwear. A single vintage brooch on a blazer or coat lapel adds character and refinement, while bolder wearers are experimenting with placements on ties, hats, scarves, and even bags. This shift reflects a broader softening of traditional fashion boundaries, where jewellery is no longer gendered but expressive.
As men increasingly seek distinctive details that set their style apart, brooches offer a subtle yet impactful way to do so.
Vintage brooches carry history, craftsmanship, and individuality in a way few accessories can. Wearing one is not about nostalgia, but about reinterpretation. It is a way to connect past and present, sustainability and style, tradition and experimentation.
As brooches continue their return to the fashion conversation, they invite us to slow down, choose thoughtfully, and dress with intention. In 2026, the brooch is no longer a relic: it is a statement.