It’s not your grandmother’s brooch. Brooches have come back in a big way. Traditionally a brooch has been worn on the lapel (the left to be exact) but I love them best styled in unexpected ways. I have a collection of vintage and Native American brooches and I love them. Let’s talk about 10 Fresh New Ways to Wear Brooches and Pins.
TEN FRESH NEW WAYS TO WEAR BROOCHES AND PINS
#1 AT THE COLLAR
If you have been reading this blog long you know this is my favorite.
I am wearing a vintage initial brooch at the collar of my favorite Chicos No-Iron shirt.
GET THE LOOK
Here, I am wearing a favorite Native American Turquoise brooch with a chambray shirt, artemis design co shoes and Eileen Fisher Linen Topper. This Eileen Fisher jacket is old but you can find it on Ebay in multiple sizes here. You can find the Artemis Design Mules here, and the Chambray shirt is from J Crew here.
#2 AS A CLOSURE ON A JACKET OR SWEATER
A blazer worn as a shirt with a belt and a vintage celluloid brooch as the closure. Zara has a similar vegan leather skirt here.
GET THE LOOK
#3 CLUSTERED ON A SWEATER OR JACKET
I am pretty sure this is from an old J Crew ad. Love the crazt mix of pins. This would probably be too much for most of us, but great inspiration.
Here I am wearing a group of rhinestone brooches on a jacket from Sundance. The jacket is no longer available but you can find one on Poshmark here,, and here. You can find the turtleneck at Sundance here, and the artemis mules here.
Love this look from Dolce & Gabbana. None of these brooches are particularly special alone but as a group they are fabulous!
#4 At THE WAIST
I love a pretty brooch at the center of a simple belt. Rhinestone brooches are some of the easiest to find and the least expensive. You can find some on Ebay here, and on Etsy here.
#4 ADORNING A HAT
#5 CLIPPED ON SHOES
Emilee Anne Jewelry on Instagram styled her lace up shoes with a collection of vintage brooches.
#6 ON A NECKLACE
I Love this look. Elizabeth, aka the Vintage Contessa, and Tamera Beardsley wear this look so well. Tamera even has a tutorial on how to make one herE
You can find Elizabeth’s necklace from Cattiques on Instagram here.
#7 ON YOUR SLEEVE
Elizabeth is wearing one of her large rhinestone brooches on the cuff of her sleeve, so pretty!
#8 ON THE LAPEL
The traditional choice often seen on the Royals.
#9 ANCHORING A SCARF
Another favorite of mine is to use the brooch or pin as an anchor for a scarf. A round rhinestone oval keeps my scarf in place. I am wearing an older scarf but you can find similar on Ebay here. The skirt and boots are linked above.
If you like scarves, you might enjoy my post on Eight Stylish Ways to Style a Scarf.
#10 ON ANYTHING DENIM
I hope this post will serve as inspiration for you to have some fun and start your own collection of brooches or to style or to style the ones you already own in unexpected ways. You can find inexpensive Vintage brooche on Ebay here. You can also find many brooches on Etsy here. Farfetch has a nice selection of modern pins and brooches here. You can find Native American Brooches on Ebay here, or on Etsy here.
You can read about the History of Brooches here on Invaluable
For more information on brooch stylng, you might enjoy these articles.
TOWN AND COUNTRY MAGAZINE BEST WAYS TO STYLE A BROOCH
ELEGANT DUCHESS 25 WAYS TO WEAR A BROOCH
HOW TO WEAR PINS AND BROOCHES TO UPDATE YOUR LOOK
Thanks for reading 10 Fresh New Ways to Wear Brooches and Pins. I will be back with a great group of designers on Thursday for our annual post on Design Trends which is always fun.
Nice Post! First time reader-
The platinum hair lady with all the pins is indeed from J Crew 2010- Jenna Lyons said of the styling of that catalog that is looked like Eddie Beale goes to Girst Scout Camp! Brilliant!
Hi Barbara
Jcrew has done some great styling over the years! I love that.
Always such fantastic tips, thanks so much! I think I’ll go thrifting to find some brooches now! BTW – any suggestions on those magnet things for brooches that save you poking holds in your clothes?
Hi Kerry Lou
I have never tried those but am curious. The holes are okay in sweaters but jackets not so much!
Cindy, this was one of my favorite posts you have written. I love brooches and own probably twenty vintage ones. I wear them from time to time- mostly on sweaters or a denim jacket- but you have inspired me to get more creative! You look stunning in all these photos. I especially love the vintage initial one at the throat of your blouse. Pure class.
Hi Debbie
I am so happy you enjoyed this post. Amazon has a non-vintage sterling brooch that is very similar that I linked below the picture. I love that brooch too. Watch on Ebay or Etsy. I am sure you can find one!
Love these ideas!! I used to wear broches when I wore suits at work. Since I retired, they’ve been sitting in my jewelry box. They are coming out now! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity.
Hi Linda
So glad the post encouraged you to enjoy those brooches!!
Cindy, I do not know what happened to my comment. I love this post and I Love your style. So many of us have broaches from our mothers, grandmothers or that we have collected over the years and it is nice to see a new way to wear them. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Elizabeth
I have that happen to me as well. We need to enjoy those brooches!
The brooches are lovely. I have one that belonged to my grandmother. The pin of the brooch has become dull. Does anyone have a great idea for sharpening it? I do not want to damage the brooch or my clothing. I did try running it through my hair like I did with diaper pins back in the day.
Hi Melida
I wish I knew maybe someone else will. I have had to replace the clasps on a couple of mine. You can always have a jeweler do that as a last resort.
It’s so much fun to see all these ideas and all these creative women! I love brooches!
Hi Kim
I love them too!
Cindy, thanks for the fun ideas of new ways to wear our brooches! I can’t wait to try them out. I love the curly mauve Sundance jacket you’re wearing. Can I ask the size you have and perhaps a brand you would compare the sizing to? I haven’t worn Sundance, though always admired it. I want to order one of these vintage jackets, but unsure of the size. Thanks so much! By the way, you are my favorite blogger!
Hi Lori
So sorry that I missed this question until now. Mine is a size small. I think I could wear a medium as well. Hope that helps. I will send this direct to your email too.
have collected these treasures for years from thrift stores, etc. they are really small works of art
every time I wear one people comment on how much they like it. thanks for a great post
Hi Karen
Aren’t they fun! I think people just think they are for old ladies and forget about them!
Cindy,
Just LOVE this post! I say you may have single-handedly brought back the brooch! I wore a vintage rhinestone one on my wedding sash and it was such a pretty detail.
Hi Carol
I forgot to mention that when my daughter got married I collected several rhinestone brooches on Ebay and put one on each bouquet. I will try and find a picture!
Fun post! My mom had a vest where she put on several pins and brooches, always got a lot of compliments!
Hi Cheryl
Sounds like your mom was very stylish!
The Queen usually wears a brooch on her left side – this year for her annual Christmas broadcast she wore it on her right side said to signify a broken heart following the death of her husband Prince Philip in April last year.
A better display of the poppies would be one of the Queen wearing them with one of her large diamond bow brooches for the annual Remembrance Service in Whitehall (she didn’t attend this year due to illness).
Hi Lesley
I almost posted that pic as well. Thank you for telling everyone about it!
What a fun post, thanks! In high school I used to pin brooches in my hair, like barrettes. I also have a large vintage barrette that I use as a brooch or a pendant.
Hi Sarah
Yes I used to do that as well. Thanks for sharing more great ideas!
Just this weekend while perusing the local antique shop, I was admiring the ones they had on display! Thank you for sharing so many ways to wear them.
Hi Mary Ann
I think the vintage brooches are so fun. Happy hunting!!
What timing! Same wavelength again!
We saw a very stylish lady on Lake Como wearing a cluster of brooches on her blazer this past fall, and I have been obsessed since. I also like the idea of on my jean jacket or a crew neck sweater – thanks for those images! I LOVE the collar idea, but I end up getting makeup all over my shirt! Maybe I have a short neck??? GREAT POST!!!
Hi Gray
I always get makeup all over my collar. A cluster on a blazer is so fun. I am tempted to add a few small American Indian ones to my collection to wear on my jean jacket!
(I commented earlier but it doesn’t show)
LOVED this! I also have pins/broaches in my jewelry collection. A few from my teen years, I think. My fav is the clustered way but they were all inspirational.
The shoe decos are fun to see but definitely “car to bar” since not very practical!
Hi Pal
Ha the shoe idea probably would not be comfortable but fun to see!I love the clustered idea as well. The brooches in a cluster need not be anything special. It is the overall statement they make that is so fun.
All of the ideas look great except for the shoes. Having a brooch designed to go on the toe of the shoe is fine because the construction of those take into account where the clip will sit on the inside of the shoe next to the foot (should be smooth). The ones i the picture are just brooches designed for clothing and the backs of those are the perfect recipe for blisters on bare skin so this idea is a no-go unless like the model you do not need to walk anywhere….just sit
Hi Lauren
I should have posted a pic of “shoe clips” which as you say are way more practical. I admit I caved because this was so creative. Thanks for calling me out.
Hi Cindy,
Just thought I would let your followers know that Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing (in the photo you posted here) 3 artificial poppy flowers. I’m not sure if they have been made into a brooch. The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or are serving in the armed forces. In many countries, the poppy is worn on Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen on Anzac Day, 25 April.
One theory about why she opts to wear more than one poppy is to pay respect to family members who have fought and died in wars – for example, three of Kate’s great-uncles died fighting during World War One, with many suspecting she wears three poppies to honour them.
Thank you Claire. You are exactly right. I should have been more specific when I posted this. I used it purely as inspiration.
Super topic! I have some old pins and broaches hanging around and should bring them out. You’ve inspired me!
Although the shoe idea is fun, they are definitely “car to bar” since I don’t see how one could actually walk very well with them. Fun look though.
Hi Wren
You are right…probably not practical but fun for inspiration
Hi Cindy,
I am thrilled to hear that brooch is making a comeback. I have several that I have started to wear over the years and then thought maybe it would make me seem older than I am! Haha. Fun post.
Karen B.
Hi Karen
The beauty of being “our age” is we can wear whatever we want! Bring out those brooches!
Excellent post! What great ideas. Have lots of brooches including my grandmother’s, mother’s and my own and they just sit in the drawer! I’m inspired.
Bring them out and enjoy them!!
Cindy,
This was the best post ever! Love the photos. You are adorable! Will be going through my jewelry to replicate some of your beautiful ideas!!
Hi Pat
I am so happy to hear that!
great article! i also love my brooches and always have.
I feel the same way Carol.
Love this Post, Fun, Omg, have some have had for ages, bought them at Anthropologie,
I think they are awesome on Denim too.
Love Love all ya Pics,
Awesome
Thank you
Cindy, Miz Pragmatic here. I used to always wear a brooch on the left, because for some reason I thought you were supposed to wear it over your heart. Perhaps like a medal. But now, where I place it depends on whether I am driving or not. Right side if I’m driving, so the seat belt doesn’t torture it. Left if I’m a passenger. I also put them on hats, but have no success at the collar. Sigh. I also saw a fashion magazine that showed one pinned on a glove. I swooned. Sorta like a cuff placement. I don’t really want one on the lower half of my body, but I liked seeing them on the jeans pocket. Thanks for this!
Ha! Love this. They were originally worn on the left closest to the heart. You are absolutely right. But now we can do whatever we love.
Love these ideas! I have just seen some great brooches at Viau Estate Jewelry in Carmel. Now I might buy one!
Hi Linda
Go grab a fun one!
Thanks !! I found one or two new ideas. I rarely go out without a brooch and sometimes two +. Someone is always commenting. I would guess I have 100 + I keep safe on fabric letter, photo boards. Vintage Vintage, just Vintage, Native American antique, Silver, Rhinestone, Bakelite, Mexican silver….well….a wide variety. Some are from my mom and grandmother, some are gifts, some are pawn, many found antiquing, I LOVE them ALL !! Good Luck in collecting brooches !!
Hi Linda
I am so glad you ladies convinced me to post on this. I wasn’t sure how well-received it would be. I think we are a tribe of brooch lovers! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
This is fantastic! I’m the one who asked you to do a post on brooches, and boy, did you ever come through. Thank you so much for listening and sharing such great information. I just love your style. I have a few beautiful brooches of my mother’s that I will mix with some other found pieces.
Thanks again!!
Hi Joan
Three different readers (including you) asked me to do a post. I figured after the third I should get with it. Thank you so much for inspiring me to do so. I think everyone is enjoying the topic.
I used to wear smaller pins at collar necklines and on blazer pockets – I have a huge collection. However, I had a very large swirled silver brooch with a pearl center stone that I inherited from my mother sitting on my desk for months trying to figure out what to do with it. Thanks for convincing me to keep it. I weave and have many shawls/scarves that would benefit from a shoulder pin, and this brooch has a large enough clasp to use for that purpose. Back in my jewelry box it goes!
Oh Pam it sounds like you have the perfect backdrop for that beautiful brooch! Enjoy!
I have my mom’s cameo broach sitting in a drawer. I’ve never worn it but now I will. I love a popped collar but never button it completely up. I love the look on you, so if I may, I’ll copy. 😃
Absolutely copy anything you like. We are all here to share ideas and inspiration. You ladies are the best!
Great post. Thanks!
Hi Joan
So glad you enjoyed it!
You have chosen some of my absolute favorites of your outfits for this post! All of them, but especially the orange topper outfit and the rhinestone brooch on the wide black belt outfit. What unique style! Also love the Contessa’’s style; she is unique! Thank you once again for a fun and educational post.
This is outstanding . I have huge collection of pins. Without fail when I wear one of them people make great comments thanks
Hi K
I am so sorry this ended up in my Spam folder. So glass you enjoyed the post.
Thanks for this! Now I have to dig out my grandmother’s, aunt’s and my own brooches!
Hi there
I had a LONG raincoat and wore a brooch at the bottom of one side. Got lots of compliments,
Hi Rosemarie
What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!
I have also found that pinning a brooch to an evening or out to dinner bag can take it to another level.
Fun!
Hi Debbie
A great suggestion I meant to include that option but failed to!
Suddenly I want to wear brooches! Love your signature brooch style at the neck. Such a great look on you. Also adore the brooches on denim … jackets! I have a few brooches, inherited and one from JCrew … time to rustle them up. But hard to compete in the brooch game with the likes of you, Tamera, Contessa and the Duchess! xo
Hi Juliet
You always look absolutely gorgeous! I don’t think you will need to compete!
Tamera Beardsley is the one who I discovered HOW TO MAKE the NECKLACE BROOCH FROM TALK ABOUT AN INSPIRATION!
SEE HER POST TODAY ON HER FAVORITE OUTFITS OF THE YEAR………..NO ONE DOES IT BETTER!
I just received another brooch from CATIQUES last night!I WILL SHARE ON MY INSTAGRAM PAGE RIGHT NOW!
SHE IS DOING A WONDERFUL JOB RECYCLING OLD VINTAGE FUR CLIPS, SHOE BUCKLES AND PINS……….her site is a DELIGHT TO VISIT!I can see NOW I will have some COMPETITION WHICH IS A GOOD THING!!!
FOR MY POCKET BOOK!
ALL WONDERFUL IDEAS……………
THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME!
Thank you Elizabeth ! My necklace looks so great on you. I love working with old jewelry findings, pins etc and reimagining them into something modern. Everything is one of a kind !!
Oops spelled my name wrong😉 Cathy Sexton
Hi Cathy
I have been pining over one of your necklaces ever since I saw them on Eliz!!
Hi Eliz
You and Tamera are the brooch contessa’s!
Love this Post, Fun, Omg, have some have had for ages, bought them at Anthropologie,
I think they are awesome on Denim too.
Love Love all ya Pics,
Awesome
Thank you
Drag them out and enjoy them in the Northwoods of Maine!
I love this! It brought to mind something I used to do- pin a medium size brooch on the lower pocket of a long cardigan. My favorite was a bejeweled crown. I need to rediscover my collection of brooches and pins.
Hi Janet
Another great idea! Thanks for sharing!
What a fun post! I need more brooches! Alie has a bunch. I love Elizabeth’s necklace…makes a statement.
Hi Mary Ann
I think they are really fun!