Brooches are making a comeback as a popular accessory in the fashion world, shifting away from the subdued minimalism of recent years. The RealReal has reported a significant increase in brooch sales over the past two years, with wearers exploring new ways to incorporate brooches into their daily outfits. This shift marks a departure from the era of quiet luxury, as people are now looking to personalize their style with bold and eye-catching pieces like brooches. Fashion experts believe that brooches are the perfect way to add a touch of personality to any outfit, whether worn alone or layered with more minimalistic pieces.
The resurgence of brooches has been evident on the fall/winter 2024 runways, with popular brands like Tory Burch, Miu Miu, and Schiaparelli showcasing glittering brooches as part of their collections. On social media platforms like TikTok, creators are sharing their favorite brooches and how to style them in unique ways, such as using them as makeshift buttons. Celebrities and fashion icons like Michelle Yeoh, Matthew McConaughey, and John Krasinski have been spotted wearing brooches at various events, further solidifying the accessory’s popularity in the fashion world. Designers and jewelers are also embracing brooches as a form of artistic expression, creating stunning pieces that can be pinned anywhere to elevate an outfit.
Sotheby’s Frank Everett believes that brooches are becoming more mainstream, with a growing presence in men’s fashion as well. As a jewelry designer, he views brooches as a true form of artistic expression, allowing creators to sculpt beautiful pieces from precious materials. The versatility of brooches makes them appealing to a wide range of consumers, from vintage fashion enthusiasts to Gen Z thrifters looking for unique finds. However, Everett notes that current brooch options at major fashion houses are limited, encouraging shoppers to explore the secondary market through auctions and resale sites to find more interesting and unique pieces.
Michael Saiger, the founder of Miansai, has seen an increase in custom brooch requests in the past year, attributing the popularity of brooches to a reimagined vintage fashion trend. The scarcity of new brooch designs has made pre-loved and vintage options highly sought after, with brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels commanding top prices at auctions. On sites like The RealReal, interest in Van Cleef & Arpels brooches has grown significantly year-over-year, indicating a strong demand for these classic accessories. Saiger believes that brooches offer a modern update to the traditional pin, allowing wearers to make a statement and express their personal style in a unique way. Overall, the resurgence of brooches in the fashion world signals a shift towards bolder and more expressive accessories that add a touch of glamour to any outfit.
