Lisa Armstrong is The Telegraph’s head of fashion. She began her career in fashion at Vogue. She has written four novels, has an honorary doctorate from the University of Arts in London, and was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to fashion.
Each week, she responds to your queries, lending her expertise to help you shop smart. Have a question for her? Submit it below.
Dear Lisa,
I have inherited many beautiful antique brooches from my mother. I would love to incorporate these pieces into my everyday wardrobe. However being in my late 40s, wearing these pieces can look quite ageing and I’m not ready to dress like the late Queen. Can you suggest how I can style these pieces with more contemporary outfits?
– Li-Ling
Dear Li-ling,
There must be so many of us with inherited jewellery that we don’t know how to wear, that if we pooled our resources, we could help pay off the national debt.
Or maybe just keep it and use it.
Modern jewellery is often designed to be a statement – very delicate, or very chunky, whereas a lot of our mothers’ jewellery tends to be quite conventional and to modern eyes, quite generic. If it’s valuable, you could think about getting it reset. You might find yourself wearing your brooch as a stunning new necklace. Stephen Einhorn will bespoke something for you – at a price.
For less precious pieces, layering and piling on is one way of making it more contemporary. Clustering brooches on a coat or a jacket, for example, à la Miu Miu is one idea. (look at Kristin Scott Thomas on the Autumn/Winter 2024 runway). Group different sizes together and stick to the same metals and colours and voilà, you have a major focal point.
Pin one to a wide, dark satin or velvet ribbon and wear it as a belt, a choker or a wristband. Place a small one on the tip of the collar of a plain white shirt or for evenings, add it to an Alice band if you wear one. Or position one to a roll-neck jumper. (Gucci, Celine and Toteme have all had cult hits with jewelled or chain-embellished knits).
Wear one at the nape of your neck, pin it over the first button of a blouse, or, with a longer brooch, fasten it so it drapes over one shoulder like Blake Lively.
Chain-link brooch, Cos, £55
Avoid wearing brooches with outfits that already have a lot going on. They look sleekest against plain tailoring or dresses and don’t require any other companions. No earrings or necklaces.
– Lisa
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