Grandma's Jewellery Box Inspires Brooch Comeback Across 2026 Fashion

The big brooch comeback of 2026 — It’s time to raid your grandma’s jewellery box, because brooches are being pinned as the most alluring accessory of 2026." That line, published by Hannah Thompson on February 25, 2026, captures a revival visible on runways and in wardrobes from Paris to London.

Runway evidence is tangible. Designers from Lacoste and Tory Burch to a truncated listing printed as "Wales Bon" showcased pins in recent collections, while Miu Miu's winter 2025/2026 runway and Chanel Pre-Fall 2026 each included reimagined brooches. Chanel, Saint Laurent and Schiaparelli presented pieces intended not only for lapels but for hair and handbags, signalling a deliberate design pivot toward versatile pinning.

The trend did not begin this year. Celebrities wore brooches across 2024 award shows and red carpets, with appearances by Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Matthew McConaughey, Barry Keoghan and John Krasinski. Public figures such as Kate Middleton and Naomi Watts have been photographed wearing diamond brooches, and Julia Roberts has been pictured with a tie bedecked in pins. Cillian Murphy wore a brooch created by Sauvereign, a detail that designers say has helped the accessory cross into menswear dressing.

Designers and platforms register demand. Morgan Lang, founder of AGMES, says she "has championed brooches as a part of her collections since 2018" and that "especially in the past 2-3 years, the shift has been notable from this more nostalgic interpretation to clients seeking ways to elevate an outfit." Caroline Orange‑Northey, managing director at Pinterest, notes search behaviour: "We’re seeing growing interest from women — particularly around vintage and heirloom-inspired pieces, with searches focused on how to style them," adding that "layering brooches in clusters, pinning them at the collar or shoulder on knitwear, and using them to elevate scarves, bags and hats" are among the most popular looks.

Market signals include bespoke commissions. Michael Saiger, founder and creative director of Miansai, told WWD (quoted in the New York Post) that he has "received an increase in custom brooch requests in the last 12 months." Bertrand Mak, founder of Sauvereign, described the resurgence as born of "an increasing desire to personalize and punctuate," a phrase he used when discussing the brand's brooch on Cillian Murphy in coverage cited by Grazia.

The brooch's arc is long and specific: archaeological and fashion records trace pins back almost 3,000 years to ancient Rome, where they were practical and later amuletic; by the 17th century royals favoured brooches - Catherine the Great often wore an emerald brooch and Marie Antoinette popularised diamond brooches - while the 19th century saw Queen Victoria endorse mourning brooches featuring portraits or locks of hair. The 1920s Art Deco movement and the 1980s maximalism both reinvigorated the form.

Industry voices and visuals point to a moment of reinvention rather than a mere cycle. Sotheby's vice chairman of jewels in the Americas, Frank Everett, told WWD (quoted in the New York Post) that he "could not have seen more of them during the red carpet season" and described brooches as "the truest form of their art because it’s a sculpture that you just pin somewhere," adding that "Hardly anyone makes them anymore." Overall, the question remains, will brooches become mainstream or remain exclusive to luxury houses and film screens? With AGMES championing pins since 2018, Miu Miu and Chanel showing them in 2025/2026 collections, and makers reporting rising custom work in the last 12 months, the brooch has re-entered serious design conversations and looks poised to test the boundary between heirloom and everyday.