Creative, Interesting, and Totally Modern Ways To Wear A Brooch

Artistic, versatile, fun, and timeless. These are words to describe one of my favorite accessories...THE BROOCH!

You can buy new brooches at most stores that sell costume jewelry. Although once you've handled a lot of vintage jewelry, you may find newer pieces so lacking in quality that they aren't worth the investment. Often, stones fall out, metal becomes discolored within a few months, and the style is so uber-trendy that you can only wear it for a season anyway. That type of jewelry has it's place but vintage is, in my opinion, almost always the way to go. For example, the pieces in the Vintage Jewelry Girl  collection have retained their condition, beauty, and wearability for 50, 60, or sometimes even 80 years! A carefully chosen choice of designer or unsigned quality jewelry can elevate a simple or inexpensive outfit. You can take a look at one of our previous posts to see some of our favorite vintage brooches or as I like to call them, "outfit elevators." ;-)

But, as one fashionable, but brooch-naive friend of mine said at my most recent vintage jewelry party, "I like them but how do you wear them?" Due to the popularity of the brooch as a fixture on the upper breast of Grandma's best Sunday suit, it unfortunately conjures up an image that is a bit old, stodgy, and too traditional for a lot of "us" *ahem* younger folk. 

So how do you do it? How do you make the brooch a modern accessory? And how can you use a nice vintage piece to add some old-style class and individuality to your wardrobe? Here are some of our favorite ideas for you to try!

Source: Getty Images

Let's start with the classic option. The basic shoulder brooch, although it's done exceptionally well here! I almost prefer to call this the lower shoulder brooch because you'll see in later images some pins placed DIRECTLY on the shoulder. Regardless, this look, worn here by Dita Von Teese is made striking by her choice of size. Also, there is an interesting contrast between the clean lines of her dress and the texture of the flower. The gold metal also pops against the beautiful rich royal blue color of her dress! She successfully uses a vintage style in a completely modern and striking way.

Source: A Beautiful Mess

A more modern and less classic approach is to group brooches together on the shoulder. It's so cute how this girl pairs these vintage flower pins with her vintage style top!

Source: Teen Vogue

You don't have to be outrageous about it! Maybe you're into simplicity. You could give something like this a go. This little figural pin adds some character to the collar while complimenting the line of the garment. 

Image Source: Amazing Interior Design

Long flowy tops are really popular right now. Why not use a big brooch to pin it closed when you want a little extra coverage? For heavier fabrics, use a bigger brooch and for lighter fabrics, a smaller one.

Source: Vintage Jewelry Girl

The infinity scarf is often left to stand on its own. Why not add a touch of interest with a vintage brooch? 

Source: Nordstrom

You can also make use of well put together clusters to decorate the entire shoulder! You can change up your choice of pins so you never have the exact same look twice.

Source: Dolce Gabbana

Why not bring that same look down the page a little. Let your pins flow down your jacket for a really spectacular look!

Source: Vintage Jewelry Girl

Here's something you may not know about. You can use a brooch converter to turn any brooch into a gorgeous pendant! This one's from my personal collection. I love the little spokes of crystals around the piece and the texture is enticing.

Source: Street Scene

And since we're on the neckline, this has to be my absolute favorite way to wear a brooch! These 60s flower power brooches are so colorful when worn all together...on RED! So fun!

Source: Vintage Baubles and Bits

This is an interesting and creative idea! Layer some necklaces together and gather them with a big lightweight vintage pin. So much more interesting than the necklaces on their own!

Source: Dolce & Gabbana

And finally, here's another "embellish your accessories" idea. Isn't it stunning! You can pick up vintage purses with some wear or slight damage that you can cover with inexpensive gold-tone brooches...and voila! New beautiful purse!

Want to see more ideas on how to wear a vintage brooch? Check out our Vintage Jewelry Pinterest board and see the styles we're pinning! See you there!

Source: Fab Gabs

Oh...one more for the honorable mention!! I just came across THIS! Can I sneak this in the end here? An aged brass filigree pin holds her dress in the back. Stunning!

Happy pinning!

Jewelry Trend for 2015 and Beyond: The Brooch

Everybody's talking about it...the BROOCH! It's the "it" accessory for fall 2015 and I'm positive it will carry over much farther into 2016 and beyond.

Check out these recent runway looks:

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From left to right: Fausto Puglisi, Edun, Balenciaga, Prada and Luisa Beccaria. Photos: Imaxtree

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Dolce & Gabbana F/W15

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Now, if this trend conjures up images for you of cute little circular conservative pops of sparkle, typically worn high on the shoulder, let me be the one to tell you, a brooch can be so much more! Once you spend some time really studying all the different aesthetic styles of this versatile piece of adornment and how it can be used in so many different ways, you may just be hooked for life! 

Take some of the pieces from our collection for example. Like this piece by Mazer with big glass "fruit salad" stones, clear faceted crystals, and some swirling metal elements that give it a highly feminine look. The glass stones allow the color of your garment to show through. Can we suggest pairing it with a tailored blazer, mildly distressed jeans and a pair of pumps?

Say, with something like this: 

Source unknown

Here's another example that would work great with this look. This is another vintage designer piece, this time by the well known company Boucher. Such nice depth in this piece and a great combination of fantastic design and a bit of sparkle. Not too girly but highly attractive!

Or, you could also go with something like this for yet a slightly different look with a bit of sentimentality. This piece is a traditional Norwegian silver Solje brooch. Typically given as wedding gifts, the gold colored metal "spoons" are thought to reflect evil away from the wearer. Some sources say they are possibly also a reflection of how many children a couple will have.

If you like dangles, here is a statement piece with a girandole like structure.

This piece is just amazing. Take a look at the side view. The emerald glass stones are raised off the heavy brass backing with large metal prongs.

Or how about something exceptionally interesting like this vintage frog brooch with little starfish for feet and peackock eye art glass eyes? Cute, isn't he? 

And here's a fun piece! This flower is in the Brutalist style. Likely a Canadian made piece, it is a rare example of jewelry made in this style that actually resembles a form. In this case, a flower. 

Want to add some femininity without going overboard? Here's a glass flower pin that is both a brooch and a pendant! And it's made by Trifari. A company known for quality and design. 

So pretty with your summer pastels!

Or maybe you prefer something a little more quaint like this sweet petit point pin.

If size and detail are important to you, you might consider something like this bold but feminine brass floral brooch with a twisted metal border. 

Here's how I chose to wear this one for a day out shopping on the Ave. 

If sparkle is your thing, you could choose to wear something like this 60's piece that resembles a leaf.

Or perhaps something outstanding like this unsigned 1960's glam designer piece from the Juliana line by DeLizza and Elster?

Of course you could always channel your inner mid-century modern style with something like this groovy wood and silver cat pin. 

And one more...just for fun! A great 1940's vintage piece by Coro. A magnificently designed piece with charm and sophistication. Just think of the personality it would add to that blazer and jean combo! Perfection!

The brooch. So many different shapes, styles, and finishes! And vintage is the way to go if quality and design are important to you. Whether designer signed or not, you're sure to find something that speaks to you. 

Which style do you like? Do you currently wear brooches? If not, do you think you might in the future given their current popularity? Tell us in the comments below!

Our next blog post will cover different ways to wear the brooch. Subscribe to this blog or join our newsletter for updates!

UPDATE: See our newest post on Totally Modern ways to Wear a Brooch.