Jess Cartner-Morley on fashion: forget the church fete vibes, the brooch is now fashion's badge of honour

"I had brooches earmarked for a later life stage, accessories that would chime with The Archers, gardening, possibly solving the odd crime in the village, that sort of thing. But in an unexpected turn of events, I am already the correct age to wear a brooch. Not because I'm old, but because brooches have changed. They have cast off their church fete vibe and become cool."

"Zendaya wore a diamond serpent brooch pinned to the back of her white jacket to last year's Met Gala. At a press conference before the recent Mexico City premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, Meryl Streep added no fewer than six brooches to the lapel of her pillarbox red Dolce & Gabbana suit. Pedro Pascal wore a silk Chanel camellia the size of a sunflower to the Oscars."

"Worn right, a brooch is quite witty. It is timeless and elegant, and adds a dash of subversion and intrigue A brooch is the best thing you can do for your outfit right now. It feels fresh and new. Worn right we are getting to that bit it is also quite witty, which is always an enjoyable way to dress."

"There is just one simple rule for the modern brooch-wearer. To make it crystal clear that you are in the Zendaya-at-the-Met lane rather than manning the tea urn, there should be something unexpected about your brooch. This can be size or placement or multiplication. A brooch centred on a jacket lapel is a badge of correctness. A constellation of brooches scattered across the lapel, or one the size of a dinner plate"

Brooches have shifted from traditional, church-fete associations to current, cool fashion. Celebrities have popularized bold brooch styling, including diamond serpent, multiple lapel pins, and oversized floral designs. A well-worn brooch adds timeless elegance while introducing subversion, intrigue, and fun. Shopping for brooches is convenient because there is no need for changing rooms or sizing, and bargains can be found at car boot sales. The main rule for modern brooch wear is to include something unexpected, such as unusual size, placement, or multiple brooches. A single centered brooch reads as correct, while scattered or dinner-plate-sized brooches create a more distinctive look.

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