RI Beauty Expert: Pin it! Brooches Are Not Just for Grannies
Saturday, January 17, 2015
The spring designer collections are showing a different kind of bling right now. Missing are the statement necklaces and clanging multiples of bangles, replaced by dramatic pins. There is something elegant and charming about a simple cocktail dress with a feminine look-here brooch as its only adornment. And women as young as Kate Middleton are embracing the movement.
Brooches are great accessories because they lend instant chic to not just dresses but also sweaters, coats, hats and even the lowly white t-shirt. Of course, lucky are you to have grandmother’s jewelry box tucked away. Inside you may just find a 1920’s graphic art nouveau brooch or a 1950’s traditional pearl circle pin. But what if you’re brooch-less and the Queen is not your mum-in-law? Well Fashionista, hit some local haunts and pin it!
Consignment bonanza
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThese little hideaways sell everything from coffee percolators to encyclopedias. But check out the nooks and crannies for hidden brooch treasure. Here you may find the cutest and most whimsical charmers. Look for vintage animal pins or Bakelite in unusual carved shapes. The Corner Cupboard in North Kingstown has an ever-changing small glass cupboard of shimmering pins that will lend just the right glitz to a utilitarian knit cap.
Go antiquing
Antique shops generally know the value of the jewelry they sell so this is where real treasures with history are. For affordable luxe, hunt for interesting and sophisticated paste glass. Wickford Antiques in Wickford village has jumbles of glittery pins in all sizes. Rhode Island Antiques Mall in Pawtucket is a beautiful emporium that carries unusual vintage brooches. Some of the oldest have multi-colored crystals to go with every cashmere sweater in your closet. Check back often as new acquisitions are always being added.
Gift shops
Shops know brooches make lovely chic gifts and carry them right alongside greeting cards these days. Sweet Twist in East Greenwich often has rhinestone snowflake pins which are perfect for a winter birthday. Or you may fall in love with one from their several designer jewelry collections.
The real deal
Some of us only want genuine and if you’re one of them, visit a few of Rhode Island’s excellent jewelers. Place Jewelers in Warwick is a little jewel box of a shop that has special expertise in estate brooches. Think how pretty you’ll look in a fiery white gold and diamond starburst on your winter coat.
It used to be that only church lady types and grannies wore brooches. But modern women of all ages know that a bit of twinkling glint or a cheery themed pin looks sophisticated and alluring on all women.
Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty. She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart. Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.
Related Slideshow: 10 Beauty Salons in RI for Your Weekend Prep
Related Articles
- RI Beauty Insider: The Transformative Power of Lipstick
- RI Beauty Insider: Pedi Nation – Get the Best Pedicure Ever
- RI Beauty Insider: Tomboy Style and the Simple Life
- RI Beauty Insider: Wedding Guest Chic
- RI Beauty Insider: Three Simple Steps for a Celestial Complexion
- RI Beauty Insider: Romantic Valentine’s Day Style
- RI Beauty Boutique Find: Beauty + The Bath
- RI Beauty Insider: Staying Beautiful With Honey
- RI Beauty Insider: Eight Easy Ways to Look Great Tonight
- RI Beauty Insider: Holiday Gift Sets – A Perfect Gift for Her
- RI Beauty Expert: Pampering Day Spas For Winter Weariness
- RI Beauty Insider Editor’s Choice: A Few of My Favorite Things
- RI Beauty Insider: Style Destination – Coppola’s of Watch Hill
- RI Beauty Insider: Change of Season Fragrances – Your New Fall Perfume
- RI Beauty Insider: The New Hybrids – Perfecting Foundations
- RI Beauty Insider: Poetic Ballet Style
- RI Beauty Insider: New Year’s Eve Glamour at Home
- RI Beauty Insider: Fall’s Best Trends
- RI Beauty Insider: School Girl Style for Grown-Ups
- RI Beauty Insider: Yoga for Beauty
- RI Beauty Insider: Nautical Chic - The Breton T-shirt
- RI Beauty Insider: Get Naked – Nude Makeup for Late Summer Days
