Five Ways to Wear a Brooch

Brooches are back. You can find your own brooch in antique stores, in modern designer collections, and in your local jewelry stores. Mary from Carreras Jewelers forwarded me an article that caught my eye and got my creative juices flowing. Beth from www.INDESIGN.JEWELRY has more than a few brooch styling/shopping tips and also shared evidence that now is the time to raid your grandmother’s jewelry box:

“At Alexander McQueen, brooches were hung onto chain, and all over the front of a black jacket. They were also purposely haphazardly placed in the hair. Dolce and Gabanna brooches also bejeweled the hair and showed up in trios on the lapel of jackets.” 

This one from Carreras Jewelers has me kind of mesmerized: 

As Beth goes on to write, “It’s far better to keep [brooches] in their original condition—many of the early 18th and 19th century pieces have mechanisms so that they be worn as a traditional brooch or slide through a chain as pendant and accessorize the hair.”

With that in mind, here are a few of my new favorite bloggers showing you how to rock your heirloom (or new!) brooches in some of my favorite ways….

On Your Denim

I’ve been meaning to get a new jean jacket. I gave mine away a few years ago, so I feel silly paying for one again, but the versatility is really worth it. This time, I’m going to pick on that fits me well and has room for me to break it in. Layer your vintage brooches onto your favorite jean jacket. Vintage clothing expert Suzanne Carillo shows you how.

On Your Bag

Cover up a small stain on your favorite bag with a brooch. Chose a fabric that is thin and won’t unravel if you punch a hole through it. Make sure you don’t put the brooch in a place where it will poke you when you grab it and carry it as you normally would. Take it for a test run  in your closet before taking it on the sidewalk. The last thing you want is a hole in your blouse or a bloody arm! Check out how Julie from Lemon Stripes upgraded her structured bag.

On Your Collar

Spruce up your button ups with a subtle sparkle. Forget your other jewelry and accessories for the day. Pick a stellar broach and pin your collar together around your neck. Make sure your shirt lays little loose to make it work. You don’t want to force your collar shut around your neck. Amy from Dallas Wardrobe styles a broad with a collared dress here.

On Your Silk Scarf

Keep an eye out for a post on silk scarves, soon. I scored one at the Dress for Success Shop for Success event last weekend. I’ll be playing with ways to wear it soon. Here’s one way: simply slip two ends through your brooch. Add an extra safety pin to keep it in place if needed. You’ll quickly turn any simple outfit into a classy eye catcher. Robin from The Dress Decoded does it expertly.

On Your Chain

If you have an empty chain looking for love, consider your brooch. I would also look at the pearls your aunt gave that you know you don’t wear enough (guilty!). I can transform any chain or strand with a brooch, or even a collection of brooches. It won’t be permanent–that’s the true beauty of the brooch!

Visit Carreras Jewelers for a huge selection of new and vintage styles. Here a few more that caught  my eye:

Click here to view them all.

How else do you wear a brooch? What is your favorite way? Comment below!