It’s not difficult
to dress for the party season. Shops are packed full of
both traditional and contemporary lines for us to take
our pick from, irrespective of size, style and budget.
There really is something for everyone at this time of
year. So instead I turn my attention to how to accessorise
an outfit, and the ultimate accessory for me this season
is the humble brooch. Although I am usually not a fan of
traditional jewellery (I’m much more beads than Boodles)
a brooch is a fantastic way of bejewelling and adorning
your togs. It can add a little bit of sparkle to an otherwise
demure outfit, can spare one’s dignity in an otherwise
gaping outfit and can update and accentuate any look. Plus
for anyone who hasn’t bought that special lady in
his or her life something equally special yet, once wrapped
a brooch is tiny enough to slip under the tree at the last
minute and no one will notice that it hasn’t been
there all along.
For those of you who a) have an
immense budget to blow, b) feel so bad that you haven’t
bought anything yet that you are prepared spend a fortune
assuaging your guilt
or c) are prepared to re-mortgage your house for the sake
of fashion, then look no further than the Tiffany Lace
brooch (top left). It is set in platinum with 2.5-carats
of diamonds and comes in at a mere £10,000.
Is that all? I hear you cry. Well fear not. You could always
buy the Tiffany Lace Earrings to match for £6,375
with your spare change.
Although it is the most expensive
of the brooches that I have featured, it is actually, and
quite surprisingly, my least favourite. I’d much
rather go for this large purple and blue fringed item
(above) with a pink and pale blue crystal and filigree
centre for £77
from Net-a-Porter.com.
It
is a fine example of modern vintage chic and I could imagine
myself wearing it to hold together a faux fur bolero over
an evening dress; pinned decoratively onto a cardigan; or
worn on the hip to fasten a ribbon tied round the waist of
a pair of jeans.
The added benefit of this is that
all Net-a-Porter.com goods come exquisitely wrapped so it
can go straight from your letter box to under the tree in
less time than it takes a girl to scream “I
can’t believe you haven’t bought me anything!”
If
you’re still not convinced, or rather your credit
card is crying out for a reprieve, you’d be wise
not to ignore the QVC.co.uk online service. From their
vast array of brooches, my favourite would have to be this
California Style Waterfall Drop brooch (above). It’s
fun and funky and looks far more expensive than its £23.63
price tag would have you believe.
Cheaper
still is this bead and sequin embellished corsage brooch
from As Seen on Screen (ASOS.com)
which is a mighty pocket friendly £5 (right). The only
foreseeable problem with this is that the ASOS warehouse
has been damaged in the Hemel Hempstead fire and I’m
not sure that order will be restored prior to Christmas.
Whichever of these items you chose to pin
down (geddit?), you’re certain to have a very merry Christmas.
See you in the sales!
budget.
There really is something for everyone at this time of
year. So instead I turn my attention to how to accessorise
an outfit, and the ultimate accessory for me this season
is the humble brooch. Although I am usually not a fan of
traditional jewellery (I’m much more beads than Boodles)
a brooch is a fantastic way of bejewelling and adorning
your togs. It can add a little bit of sparkle to an otherwise
demure outfit, can spare one’s dignity in an otherwise
gaping outfit and can update and accentuate any look. Plus
for anyone who hasn’t bought that special lady in
his or her life something equally special yet, once wrapped
a brooch is tiny enough to slip under the tree at the last
minute and no one will notice that it hasn’t been
there all along.
guilt
or c) are prepared to re-mortgage your house for the sake
of fashion, then look no further than the Tiffany Lace
brooch (top left). It is set in platinum with 2.5-carats
of diamonds and comes in at a mere £10,000.
Is that all? I hear you cry. Well fear not. You could always
buy the Tiffany Lace Earrings to match for £6,375
with your spare change.
It
is a fine example of modern vintage chic and I could imagine
myself wearing it to hold together a faux fur bolero over
an evening dress; pinned decoratively onto a cardigan; or
worn on the hip to fasten a ribbon tied round the waist of
a pair of jeans.
Cheaper
still is this bead and sequin embellished corsage brooch
from As Seen on Screen (
