How to wear your brooches

 

 Reader Becca had a question a few weeks back when I wrote my "Treasured" post about my animal brooches:

" I've got a couple little animals brooches from my fiance's great grandmother. A turtle, a flower, and a fish. Really interesting, but I don't know what to do with them.
How exactly do you use these things??"

Well, I'll admit, brooches don't seem to have the best reputation in the jewelry world -- for many, they seem to conjure up images of little old ladies wearing light-up Santa cats on their lapels. I think that brooches can get a bad rep because of how they're classified, and because of that we sometimes forget how fun they can be. They can add instant visual interest to any outfit, and because of their versatility, you can add them in other places besides your blazer's lapel.

Case in point? Let's look at First Lady Michelle Obama. Politics isn't always the first venue for sartorial inspiration, but among the many things that happened during the presidential campaign, the fashion world took notice of her style. Just look at how this matching flower adds depth to her blue sheath at the DNC, or the ones she added to this Thakoon dress here.
Or how about we look at Madeleine Albright? The former Secretary of State was so famous for wearing her brooches, she actually wrote a book about their sartorial importance in her life (read my quick review here). Take a cue from her -- you could broadcast your feelings to the world just by adding an animal pin to your jacket.

Brooches can be worn in whatever way strikes you. Think of it as jewelry for your clothes, or,as Madame Secretary did, allow them to display your feelings and interests.

Some ways I've worn them before:
1) On a belt;

 

2) On a lapel, just hanging out:

 

3) On a necklace:

4) On a purse:

 

Plus some other ways:

- On your shoes, covering your laces;

- On a headband or hair ribbon;

- To replace a missing button on a sweater or pants.

There aren't any limits to how they can be worn. How do you wear them?

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