How to Wear a Brooch and Still Feel Modern and Chic
Brooch is Different from Broach…
First things first… While I’m slightly embarrassed, I’m also committed to keeping it real here. I 1000% thought that a brooch (an ornament fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch) was spelled the same way as broach (as in to broach a subject). And I was quite wrong. Thank goodness for spell check and dictionary.com. That being said, the topic I want to broach today is how to wear a brooch - haha, see what I did there???
But for real. I want to talk about the various ways you can wear a brooch and NOT feel like you’re auditioning for a role in Downton Abbey. While brooches were certainly more popular in previous generations, they’re making a resurgence. In a big way.
Big Brooch Energy
Nick Jonas wore a big starfish brooch on The Voice - and in a social media post called it “Big Brooch Energy”. And he’s not the only one feeling it. Bella Hadid added a Dior cactus brooch to her black halter top to “finish” her outfit. We even spotted a brooch on Kendrick Lamar during his performance in the 2022 Super Bowl LVI halftime show!
Most recently, my DM’s have been full with questions about where to source Carrie Bradshaw’s blue flower brooch from the SATC reboot, And Just Like That… If you’re interested, I love this one, especially because it uses magnets as the attachment mechanism so no holes in your silk or leather pieces - yay!
It’s NOT Grandma’s Brooches Anymore
Well, they may in fact be your grandma’s brooches. Or a collection of someone else's grandma’s brooches if you’re a vintage/thrift/flea market shopper like me. But nonetheless, when we wear them we don’t want to look like a grandma - even if technically you are one! The goal is to make the outfits incorporating these authentically vintage or reproduction brooches look and feel modern. But How?
How To Wear A Brooch and Look Modern
Madeleine Albright made the brooch her signature - and I applaud her for that. It’s a brilliant use of clothing as a communication tool. However, the way Secretary Albright wore her brooches doesn’t feel modern in 2022.
Here are 5 tips (i.e. unexpected ways) to wear a brooch so you feel current and cool:
Bunch Your Brooches
Instead of just wearing one brooch on your lapel (a la Madeleine Albright), bunch a few together. Adding more than one brooch makes more of a statement and gives the look an unexpected twist.
PRO TIP: bunch brooches that have a similar color, stone or motif so the bunch feels intentional.
Attach it to Your Necklace
Use the pin part of the brooch to attach one or a few to a necklace. I like using a chunky chain as the base because it is hefty enough to balance a big old brooch.
PRO TIP: pin a brooch across a strand of pearls to give them some pop.
Pin it on Your Bag
Similar to tying a scarf on your bag, adding a brooch gives your outfit some pizazz without the commitment of being part of your clothing.
PRO TIP: if your bag is cloth, pin it right on. If not, try pinning the brooch around the bag strap(s).
Cinch Your Waist
This is my personal favorite. Add a brooch to a tie-waist top, jacket or dress to highlight the tie detail.
PRO TIP: tie the fabric in a square knot, so the brooch, when pinned, lays flat.
Secure Your Shawl
Using a brooch as a way to secure clothing harkens back to its original use, in the Bronze Age. Wrap the shawl as you’d like to wear it and attach the brooch to hold it in place.
PRO TIP: secure the brooch thru the shawl and if possible, to a garment as well. I like to attach it to my bra strap to ensure it stays in place.