12 Fresh Unexpected Ways to Wear Brooches and Pins

135 Comments

1. I think you the cutest lady!!! Love your style!

2. Fabulous! Love that brooches/pins are back in style. I have quite a collection of vintage ones. I’m going to find them now and start wearing them again. Thanks for this post – you always look amazing – so pulled together.

3. So much inspiration for wearing brooches! I love them all!

4. I was just on the Rachel Comey website. I saw this intriguing photo of a sweatshirt styled with a large brooch, sort of creating a ruching effect. Would be fun to play around with trying that!
   https://rachelcomey.com/products/fond-sweatshirts-sweats

5. The brooches are beautiful. I have many, some of which belonged to my grandmother and my mother. I find that some are quite heavy. Trying to wear them on a shirt or sweater does not work for me. They are best worn on heavier fabrics – jackets and coats usually.
   Thank you for the inspiration.

6. The picture of you with the belted Peruvian jacket is so “Diane Keaton”. Just love it. Your article is reminding me to wear all my Vintage brooches. Thank you.

   1. Hi Pamela

      I am sorry your comment got lost in spam. I am so glad you are enjoying your brooches.

7. Love your brooch post. Just a handy hint – if you want to wear a brooch on thinner fabric, pin it through a new powder puff inside to stabilize it.

8. I love all your brooch ideas! They’re one of my favorite accessories too.

9. Cindy, I really enjoy your blog. This one on ways to wear brooches is particularly good! Such fun ideas! Thank you.

   1. Hi Cindy

      I am so happy you enjoyed the post!

10. You’ve included one of my favorite of your looks, Cindy…the denim blouse, brown blazer, and brooch coveted buttons. I’m hoping for the opportunity to copy the plaid blouse and black skirt holiday version.
    As always, thanks for the great inspo.

    1. Hi Elaine

       That one is a favorite of mine too!! I meant to repeat that with some tortise brooches. I will do that next week in my holiday post!!

11. I remember in the 80s wearing a brooch at the center of the collar of pullover sweaters. I have a decent collection so I need to wear them again. Thank you for the inspiration !

12. I have a bunch of vintages brooches with jewels, fruit and bugs. I need to use them and I loved all of your ideas. Use links are very enticing, and I could spend way too much time perusing them!

    1. Hi Arlene

       I remember that too. I still have mine with pearls and my birthstone!!

13. I’m inspired! I have quite a few pins (what makes the distinction? I feel that brooches are bigger?), even a couple from when I was a child. I have a rooster that my dad brought home to me when he came home from doing a navy gig.
    Don’t forget the classic Chanel Camellia brooch. I just looked one up and they sell for $1400! I think my mom had one but I don’t know what happened to it.
    Thanks for all of your creative ways to style a brooch, just in time for some extra sparkle for the holidays, maybe.

    1. Hi Wren
       I think you can find so many good vintage brooches for very little. I don’t have any that are very valuable other than my Native American ones. Most of them I didn’t pay much for either. I honestly do not know the difference between brooch and pin. I always called them pins. I thought brooch was an “old lady” term, but now that I am one, I am not sure!!

14. Great ideas! I love to display my brooches on a couple of simple velvet pillows on a loveseat in my bedroom. Now I will wear them a lot more.

    1. Hi Madeline

       What a great idea!

15. Great creative use of broches and pins. I have inherited a few and need to see how I can incorporate them into my wardrobe. Thank you for the inspiration!

    1. Hi Cristi
       I really think they are a fun accessory. I am on the hunt for a cool hatpin to add to one of my hats as well.

       1. I have a hat pin I bought many years ago. It would now be outlawed because it is made from tortoise shell but obviously very unique.

16. I love brooches and have a few vintage ones, but I’m hesitant to wear them for fear of making holes in my clothes. How do you avoid this or is it not really an issue?

    1. Hi Anne

       It depends on the fabric! I don’t really worry about a teeny hole!

17. I don’t wear brooches but this was a lovely post. May have to rethink them. I see so many when I browse antique shops.

    1. Hi Linda

       There are a ton of vintage brooches out there waiting to be thrifted!! Give them a shot!

18. Love, love, love this post. I am a great fan of brooches. Thank you for all the great ideas for wearing brooches.

19. What fabulous ideas, Cindy. You always put a sparkle into your incredible and creative fashion ideas. Now I know what to do with the colorful, grape cluster brooch my mom gave me before she passed. Guess she knew that being I was living in California at that time , I’d enjoy wearing this beautiful brooch being I became “addicted” to wines in the regions where I have lived in CA, OR, and now WA.

    1. Hi Kay

       Of course! Enjoy!

20. Love brooches and love this post! Had not previously thought about pinning one on a sleeve. I have quite a collection, most costume, including some bought on eBay, some are 14k gold, new or vintage, given by my hubby. I wore them often during my working life, and was known for them…….I need to start wearing them with my more casual things now.

    One application you didn’t show: on a plain fabric purse or tote bag. I often add “seasonal” ones this way. For example, owls, acorns or pumpkins in the fall.

    One question: when I wear a brooch on something light such as the collar of a white shirt, I often end up with tarnish marks on the shirt, where the pin goes in,. Happens even when I wipe down the pin with a silver cloth. Any advice from you or readers?

    1. Hi Sheila

       Someone last year said the same thing about tarnish. I have not personally had that problem. I thought about showing a brooch on a bag but the bags I currently own are not well suited for that. I have several vintage bags that I drag out for the holidays. I will try that look next week when Kim and I do holiday dressing.

21. What a fantastic ideas!!!

22. I just loved today’s post. I love brooches and my mother had terrific ones. You have given me some fresh ways to wear them. I have several baklite pieces that I have purchased at The Brimfield Antique Fair in New England. One is a Scaparelli Aurora Boreallis Autumn cluster. Another is an irony Friendship brioche of hands touching . A piece of English Mourning Jet and several George Jensen brooches. So these will be fun to style.Can’t wait!!

    1. Hi Beth
       I love Brimfield! We haven’t been in years! I would love to go again. Your brooches sound wonderful!

23. I love this inspirational post. I will take them off my dress form and put them to better use. Thank you Cindy.

    1. Hi Diane

       Dust those puppies off and wear them!!

24. My lovely artistic friend Annie wore a gorgeous Cameo on the cuff of her blouse. It looked fabulous. !

    1. What a creative friend you have Sandy!!

25. Such a fun and inspiring post! Thank you for showing us how to turn a classic and often forgotten accessory into something cool and edgy. Cindy, you never, ever disappoint!

    1. Hi Lisa

       Thank you – you are so kind and appreciated!!

26. Cindy-
    I love this post!!! Have always loved to wear brooches. Now I wear them on my hats! Really takes the look to a whole different level.

    I just went down your rabbit hole & found your post on long jackets. Spent way too much time on that! Very interesting. I like to wear long sweaters, jackets but would love to know about wearing scarves ( and how to tie) with these. Also, I think multi necklaces is such a good look but I have trouble putting that together. Have you ever done a post on scarf tying or how to combine necklaces?

    Just love your posts!

    1. Hi Nancy
       I have done a post on combining necklaces. Here is the link to it https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/how-to-layer-necklaces-fashion-over-50/. I think I need to update that one. It has gotten lost in the shuffle.

27. Another favorite post! I love brooches and stickpins. Many were assembled during my corporate career, when they were very popular (1980-90s) so most of those were bought new. But have continued to add, sometimes new and more often from sites like eBay.
    Besides your ideas, I often put them on a purse for evening. I have a few smaller simple unembellished purses made from fabric (silk or velvet) and I color coordinate them with an apparel item by choosing a brooch with the same color rhinestones.
    Other fun ideas for holidays: Last year I purchased a vintage holiday brooch (from eBay) to give to the Seven females (family and friends) with whom I exchange gifts. I also like brooches related to Halloween and Easter. I always try eBay first but Talbots always has brooches for holidays. They maybe kind of kitschy, but right for holidays!
    One question I have: a number of the brooches are silver. I always seem to have a problem with a silver brooch leaving a tarnish stain on the fabric. This has happened even when I have kept them in fabric bags and/or used a polishing cloth before pinning. Any advice? Because of this, I don’t use those pins on clothing that isn’t dark or washable.

    1. Hi Sheila
       I am on the hunt for an interesting stick pin for my hats! Wow I have never had that problem with any of my brooches but I never store in plastic.

28. How interesting! I love the Native American pin with the white shirt and orange/red sweater! The shoes with 8 pins – more interesting. ha Thanks for styling these for us. Really pretty!

    1. Hi TJ

       I know you love Native American Jewelry as much as I do!!

29. 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!

    1. Hi Barbara

       Jcrew has done some great styling over the years! I love that.

    2. Such fun. I love putting broaches on my denim jackets. But love the idea of placing them on hats. So happy you’re back to the clothing/fashion posts.

30. 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?

    1. Hi Kerry Lou

       I have never tried those but am curious. The holes are okay in sweaters but jackets not so much!

31. 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.

    1. 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!

32. 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.

    1. Hi Linda

       So glad the post encouraged you to enjoy those brooches!!

33. 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.

    1. Hi Elizabeth

       I have that happen to me as well. We need to enjoy those brooches!

34. 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.

    1. 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.

       1. Simply Wonderful! While a denim jacket is in everyone’s wardrobe, I find it boring!
          Nothing better than adding a brooch in fall and winter for a bit of pizzazz!

    2. The old pin cushions that look like a tomato or sometimes a strawberry often had a smaller version of the same fruit attached to them. This smaller version was to sharpen your needles. You could punch the sharp end of needle into several times and it really did work. I would use a piece of sand paper and rub the end of the pin on the paper.

35. It’s so much fun to see all these ideas and all these creative women! I love brooches!

    1. Hi Kim

       I love them too!

36. 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!

    1. 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.

37. 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

    1. Hi Karen

       Aren’t they fun! I think people just think they are for old ladies and forget about them!

38. 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.

    1. 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!

39. Fun post! My mom had a vest where she put on several pins and brooches, always got a lot of compliments!

    1. Hi Cheryl

       Sounds like your mom was very stylish!

40. 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).

    1. Hi Lesley

       I almost posted that pic as well. Thank you for telling everyone about it!

41. 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.

    1. Hi Sarah

       Yes I used to do that as well. Thanks for sharing more great ideas!

42. 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.

    1. Hi Mary Ann

       I think the vintage brooches are so fun. Happy hunting!!

43. 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!!!

    1. 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!

44. (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!

    1. 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.

45. 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

    1. 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.

46. 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.

    1. Thank you Claire. You are exactly right. I should have been more specific when I posted this. I used it purely as inspiration.

47. 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.

    1. Hi Wren

       You are right…probably not practical but fun for inspiration

       1. I permanently glued a beautiful pair of glitzy earrings on a pair of suede mules. And I’m 81, glamour has no age limit. Got a lot of compliments!

          1. Hi Jan

             Love that!!

48. 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.

    1. Hi Karen

       The beauty of being “our age” is we can wear whatever we want! Bring out those brooches!

49. 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.

    1. Bring them out and enjoy them!!

50. 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!!

    1. Hi Pat

       I am so happy to hear that!

51. great article! i also love my brooches and always have.

    1. I feel the same way Carol.

52. 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

53. 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!

    1. 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.

54. Love these ideas! I have just seen some great brooches at Viau Estate Jewelry in Carmel. Now I might buy one!

    1. Hi Linda

       Go grab a fun one!

55. 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 !!

    1. 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!

56. 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!!

    1. 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.

       1. Cindy, I enjoy all your posts…but this one was certainly one of the BEST!

57. 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!

    1. Oh Pam it sounds like you have the perfect backdrop for that beautiful brooch! Enjoy!

58. 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. 😃

    1. Absolutely copy anything you like. We are all here to share ideas and inspiration. You ladies are the best!

59. Great post. Thanks!

    1. Hi Joan

       So glad you enjoyed it!

60. 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.

61. This is outstanding . I have huge collection of pins. Without fail when I wear one of them people make great comments thanks

    1. Hi K

       I am so sorry this ended up in my Spam folder. So glass you enjoyed the post.

62. Thanks for this! Now I have to dig out my grandmother’s, aunt’s and my own brooches!

63. Hi there
    I had a LONG raincoat and wore a brooch at the bottom of one side. Got lots of compliments,

    1. Hi Rosemarie

       What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!

64. I have also found that pinning a brooch to an evening or out to dinner bag can take it to another level.
    Fun!

    1. Hi Debbie

       A great suggestion I meant to include that option but failed to!

65. 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

    1. Hi Juliet

       You always look absolutely gorgeous! I don’t think you will need to compete!

66. 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!

    1. 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 !!

       1. Oops spelled my name wrong😉 Cathy Sexton

       2. Hi Cathy

          I have been pining over one of your necklaces ever since I saw them on Eliz!!

    2. Hi Eliz

       You and Tamera are the brooch contessa’s!

       1. 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

          1. Drag them out and enjoy them in the Northwoods of Maine!

67. 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.

    1. Hi Janet

       Another great idea! Thanks for sharing!

68. What a fun post! I need more brooches! Alie has a bunch. I love Elizabeth’s necklace…makes a statement.

    1. Hi Mary Ann

       I think they are really fun!

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