
How can I style a brooch?
A brooch is one of those accessories that will either make you look fashion-forward or super old-fashioned. Has it ever been on your must-haves list? Yeah, mine neither. One way or another, a brooch or two will somehow creep into our wardrobes or jewellery boxes. Instead of your brooch just sitting there and gathering dust, here’s a few ideas on how to style it, and just have fun with it.
1. Wear a brooch instead of a necklace
In the photos above and below, I decided to wear a brooch instead of a chain and pendant. It practically looks part of the dress, giving it a vintage feel. Without it, the dress starts looking quite summer-like and modern. So in a way, wearing my brooch gives it a completely different vibe!
2. Pin a brooch on coat or blazer lapels
This is a classic example where logomania brooches often end up, for example the crossed CC Chanel brooches or the YSL Yves Saint Laurent pieces. Of course, these are stylish timeless classics, but there’s no harm in taking it to the next level. For a baroque vibe, cluster up your vintage brooches and pin a few on each lapel. Focus on intricate gold tone brooches, cameos, florals and animals. Et voila, how very vintage Christian Lacroix. (It rhymes!)
3. Add a brooch to the centre of your turban or beanie
Winter can be dull. It’s cold, miserable and all you really want to do is wrap up in a thousand layers. I say go for it, and while you are at it, add a sparkly brooch to your winter hat. A sudden touch of glamour can elevate a casual knitted beanie into an elegant headpiece. I particularly love adding a brooch to the centre of a turban, it suddenly makes it look very theatrical, very film noir.
4. Play with insect brooches
Probably the most fun of all brooches are insect brooches. Shaped like bees, bugs and flies, these little critters will add humour to your look, with no buzzes or bites in sight.
5. Place a brooch on your shirt collar
Similarly to where I placed my brooch in the images above and below, imagine I was wearing a white crisp button-up shirt and pinned the brooch in the middle between the lapels – the effect would have been even more powerful. If you have two brooches, you could place them on the lapels of the collar too, either symmetrically or asymmetrically.
A few quick tips when styling brooches:
- Make sure the fabric is strong enough to hold the weight of the brooch
- Don’t use heavy brooches on your prized dresses or fabrics, especially if you are afraid that your items will end up with visible holes after the brooch comes off
- Brooches with sparkly white rhinestones or crystals will WOW when worn with dark fabrics – think black velvet or taffeta
- Don’t forget to take your brooches off before chucking your clothes into the washing machine! Sounds silly, but we both know we needed this reminder















Clutch Bag: Escada, Heels: Pedro Miralles, Brooch: Antique Family Heirloom (Costume), Gold Plated Sterling Silver Lab Ruby Ring: Juelia, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Floral Ring: Thomas Sabo, Watch: Nordgreen