Vintage Jewelry Style Guide
Vintage jewelry isn’t just for special occasions—it’s a versatile way to express your style every day. Whether you’re dressing for work, vacation, a party or event, or just elevating your street wear, incorporating vintage pieces can add a unique twist to any outfit.
This guide shows you fresh ways to style classic items like brooches, hat pins, and statement rings, helping you blend timeless elegance with modern fashion.
Work & Professional
Earrings: Classic studs or understated hoops from eras like Retro or Contemporary bring subtle elegance to professional attire without overpowering it. Braided or knot earrings in gold or gold-plate were popular designs from Trifari and Monet.
Necklaces: Add a touch of sophistication with a simple pearl strand or locket paired with a tailored blouse or vintage blazer. Look for engraved lockets in gold or silver, depending on your taste.
For a professional and polished look at work, consider chains like the cable chain, box chain, snake chain, rope chain, and Belcher (Rolo) chain. These styles are versatile and understated.
Brooches: Use a brooch creatively—pin it on a blazer, the waist of a dress, or even on a belt or purse to add a unique touch of personality and vintage charm to your workwear. There’s a vintage brooch for every season, holiday, creature, or object you can imagine.
Here are some top brands for costume jewelry brooches:
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Coro | Popular for vintage brooches with enamel work, rhinestones, and whimsical themes. |
| Kenneth Jay Lane | Known for glamorous, bold brooches featuring animal motifs and vibrant gemstones. |
| Miriam Haskell | Renowned for handcrafted, baroque-inspired designs with pearls, beads, and filigree work. |
| Monet | Offers classic, elegant designs with vintage-inspired floral and abstract pieces. |
| Sarah Coventry | Provides affordable, stylish brooches often inspired by nature. |
| Swarovski | Offers sparkling crystal brooches blending classic and contemporary styles. |
| Trifari | Famous for collectible designs, especially crown and floral motifs with intricate details. |
| Weiss | Specializes in brooches with dazzling rhinestones and intricate settings, perfect for vintage lovers. |
Vacation
Bracelets: Mix vintage bangles or charm bracelets with contemporary styles for a playful, layered look that complements any casual or beach outfit. Slip on a gold-filled 1930s sweetheart bracelet, leave your Apple Watch on the charger, and unplug for a moment. 
Sweetheart bracelets originated during World War I and gained popularity during World War II, serving as sentimental keepsakes exchanged between soldiers and their loved ones
Sunglasses: Go for vintage-inspired frames like cat-eye or oversized shapes to infuse a touch of retro flair into your vacation wardrobe. Sunglasses often end up in a drawer in the bedroom of estate sales for nearly nothing, so go looking for hidden treasures.
Scarves: From Grace Kelly to Audrey Hepburn, vintage stars loved wearing boldly printed headscarves, often with oversized sunglasses.
Batik silk scarves are created by applying wax to cloth to create patterns or designs, which resist dye when the fabric is colored. After dyeing, the wax is removed, revealing the intricate, often multicolored patterns.
Do you have a day on the water planned? Protect your hair from the wind and your eyes from the sun while giving off movie star vibes.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Paisley | Teardrop-shaped with intricate floral and geometric details. |
| Floral | Traditional flowers like roses and peonies. |
| Equestrian | Bridles, stirrups, and chains reflecting horseback heritage. |
| Baroque | Ornate, swirling motifs with acanthus leaves and scrolls. |
| Animal Prints | Leopard, zebra, and snake patterns. |
| Geometric | Stripes, checks, and polka dots. |
| Chain and Rope | Nautical themes with intertwining chains and medallions. |
| Batik | Intricate patterns of florals, geometric shapes, and traditional motifs with vibrant, contrasting colors. |
| Art Deco | Bold lines, symmetry, and rich, modern colors. |
Parties and Events
Statement Earrings: Elevate your outfit with dramatic vintage earrings, such as chandelier styles or bold geometric designs, to bring an extra touch of glam to your look.
Cocktail Rings: Opt for a large statement ring from the mid-century to make your outfit pop—perfect for drawing attention to your hands in any social setting.
These styles capture the bold, glamorous essence of 50s and 60s cocktail rings.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Prong Setting | Uses small claws to elevate and secure large, faceted stones, enhancing their brilliance. |
| Cluster Setting | Features multiple smaller stones arranged around a central gem, creating a flower or starburst effect. |
| Bezel Setting | Encircles the stone with a metal rim, providing a sleek, secure look for statement gems. |
| Ballerina Setting | Surrounds a central stone with a halo of baguette or tapered stones, resembling a tutu. |
| Bombé Setting | A domed surface encrusted with gemstones, creating a bold, three-dimensional effect. |
| Invisible Setting | Stones are set closely without visible prongs, creating a seamless, continuous surface. |
Hair Accessories: Incorporate vintage hair combs, barrettes, or hat pins into your hairstyle for a unique, elegant touch that complements evening attire.
Street Wear
Layered Necklaces: Combine different vintage chains and pendants, mixing lengths and styles to create an effortlessly stylish, curated look.
Pins and Brooches: Add character to denim jackets, bags, or even sweaters with vintage pins. Place them on collars, pockets, or randomly to break the conventional use and add edge.
Belts and Buckles: Swap out modern belts for ones with vintage buckles, using ornate designs to transform simple outfits into standout looks.
Vintage belt buckles come in a variety of styles and brands that reflect distinct eras and design influences:
| Buckle Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Art Deco Buckles | Geometric and bold, often made with enamel and chrome by makers like Jakob Bengel and Lalique. |
| Designer Buckles | Iconic logo buckles from luxury brands like Gucci, Hermes, and Yves Saint Laurent. |
| Military Buckles | Functional brass or steel designs with emblems, collectible pieces from brands like Tiffany & Co. |
| Navajo Silver Buckles | Intricate silverwork with turquoise, crafted by notable silversmiths like Tommy Singer. |
| Rockabilly Buckles | Bold 1950s designs with kitschy themes, popularized by Bergamot Brass Works. |
| Victorian Buckles | Ornate floral and scrollwork designs in brass or silver from Unger Brothers and Kerr & Co. |
| Western Buckles | Intricate engravings and turquoise accents from brands like Montana Silversmiths and Clint Orms. |
These styles and brands highlight the creativity and craftsmanship of vintage belt buckles, making them timeless and collectible accessories.
Avant-Garde Style: Unconventional Uses for Vintage Pieces
Shoe Clips and Dress Clips: Attach vintage shoe clips to garment hems, sleeve cuffs, or even on bags to add sculptural detail and transform ordinary pieces into unique fashion statements.
Medallions and Cameos: Incorporate vintage medallions as bold pendants or bag charms, using them to create unique, artistic accents that add a touch of history to your outfit.
Charms: Rather than wear your charms on a bracelet or necklace, sew them onto your favorite pieces of clothing for a charming hidden accent.
Summary
Incorporating vintage jewelry into your wardrobe lets you make a statement that’s uniquely yours. From subtle touches at work to bold accents for a night out, these pieces add depth, character, and a bit of history to your look.
Embrace the art of mixing old and new to create outfits that are not just stylish but also tell a story. Vintage isn’t just a trend—it’s a way to stand out and connect with fashion’s rich past while expressing your modern self.
Explore louisetreesjewels.com for beautifully curated vintage jewelry.
Subscribe to our blog for more guides and style inspiration.