If you happen to see me a couple times throughout the week, it wouldn’t take long to realize that I love a good brooch. In my opinion, they are the unsung hero of accessories. Unlike other jewelry that dresses up or showcases a part of your body, brooches add an unparalleled level of sophistication to your actual clothing. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a great necklace or bracelet as they can definitely add to an outfit. Earrings can pull a look together and make a simple ponytail tres chic. But I believe brooches should be a more prominent fixture in our jewelry boxes. They truly can be one of the most impactful accessories you own, with the ability to magically transform any tried-and-true piece of clothing into something that looks totally fresh and new.
Brooches have been around since the Bronze Age, and what started out as tools to literally hold clothes together have evolved into beautiful, decorative pieces of jewelry that help elevate even basic clothing into something special. Yet there seems to be misconstrued idea that brooches are matronly or outdated, merely a relic from past decades only worn by your grandma or late Queen Elizabeth (the latter may in fact be true, but the Queen of England does hail from a more stylish era). I beg to differ. My brooches are typically the most complimented accessories I own, probably due to the fact they’re unexpected and not often seen.
Try adding a brooch to your favorite little black dress or tack multiple to your coat lapel for an instant update. (Keep in mind the fabric needs to be strong enough to support the weight of a brooch, so avoid silks or delicate knits) Artfully placing a brooch on a simple white sweater or using one to pin a scarf in place can look extremely chic. Or take inspiration from the runway; F/W 2024 saw a big uptick in brooch and brooch inspired embellishment, with brands like Miu Miu, Erdem, and Chanel embracing the vintage trend.
Brooches are difficult to come by nowadays, especially if you don’t have the financial means to purchase one with interlocking Cs. You can walk into any women’s clothier and find the usual suspects – costume rings, necklaces, earrings – but brooches are another story. Websites such as The RealReal and Etsy are great resources for vintage brooches, but don’t be afraid to pop into your local antique store. I can usually find some inexpensive yet beautiful brooches at antique or thrift stores, although it does take a little patience to hunt them down. It also feels really nice to give them a second life.
One of my all time favorite brooches is actually an heirloom from my grandma. It’s from the late 50’s or early 60’s, and she told me she remembers wearing it as a hair accessory to a wedding in the early 1960’s. Now I usually wear it pinned to the lapel of my favorite white coat or button up shirts, but I’m always thinking of new ways to style it. I find it amazing that this 60-something year old accessory is still in perfect condition and is still getting worn. That kind of quality and craftsmanship is hard to come by nowadays.
Next time you come across a great brooch, think about purchasing it. After all, if they’re good enough for The Royal Family, they’re good enough for us common folk, too.
