Pin on style

Giving yourself that once over in the mirror before you step out, have you ever got the feeling that you could use a little bit more of something? Well, what you’ve been missing is a vintage trend that’s made a fashionable come back – the brooch.

No longer the private domain of old ladies – Queen Elizabeth and her penchant for the jewelled pins come to mind – the brooch is now a must-have accessory for every well-heeled woman. Taking a leaf out of her great-grandmother-in-law’s book, Kate Middleton too has been spotted wearing a classic brooch to go with her chic dresses and her recent choice of a red crystal poppy brooch has sent demand for this piece soaring sky high. While the princess wore it in support of the Royal British Legion charity, it seems to have brought the brooch trend to its peak.

Spotted everywhere from the streets teamed with scarves and jackets to holding up the halter neck on the red carpet, the classic brooch today has become the accessory of choice for those looking to experiment.

How to wear it

The best part of reinventing a new style – breaking all the rules! The traditional place for the brooch is wearing it on the upper left part of your coat or dress, but that’s only for the extremely formal occasions. If you’re willing to experiment, there’s no limit to the different ways you can sport a brooch. Use it to hold your scarf together or pin it to your favourite sweater! If the semi-formal look is your thing then pin a funky brooch to the lapel of your jacket for a touch of bling, or nestle it on the top button of your favourite collared shirt to add a fresh look.

If bringing sexy back is your aim then pin a jewelled piece in a contrast colour to the edge of your deep V-neck – nothing subtle about this style – or for the more demure (And skinny) type, pin it at the waist of your monotone dress. Another option is to use it to accentuate the sash, if your dress has one. If a one-shoulder dress is the order of the day then pin it just below the shoulder – a lá Nicole Kidman – or jazz up a halter neck with a brooch by pinning it at the knot, like redheaded beauty Jessica Chastain.

Adornologist and jewellery designer Varuna D Jani drops a useful hint – “You can even hitch it on your clutch and be the show-stopper,” she says, and we couldn’t agree more. Pin it to your bag and feel the sparkle instantly up your fashion quotient.

Even the most boring of outfits can be jazzed up with a shiny, glittery brooch – use it to pin up a boring cardigan and voila – suddenly you’re channelling the fashion sense of the FLOTUS! If you are brave enough to push the envelope, team a bunch of brooches together at the collar of your dress to make a major style statement – or just play it safe and pin one over your winter jacket. Like we said, the options are endless!

All shapes and sizes

The quirkier the better seems to be the unwritten rule! Creepy crawlies may freak your out but when they’re studded with gems, they get a lot more attractive – refer to the crystal and pearl insect brooch that Blake Lively sported with her Lanvin outfit! And a lot more have been spotted pinned to various celebrities – butterflies, honeybees and even dragonflies seem to be favourite picks. And the crystal lizard at Dries Van Noten’s Fall 2013 show pretty much takes the cake.

Floral patterns are another classic that have been spotted everywhere, from peonies and roses to the clusters, these traditional pieces are options for those who want to play it safe. Other popular options are feather patterns and peacocks – nature-themed pieces are definitely a big win for this season.

Everyone’s childhood favourite bow shape is another popular pattern – but team this only with flirty dresses or full-length gowns to have the maximum impact. From tiny Tiffany-style bows to funky asymmetric knotted bows, this is a piece that can never go out of style.

Even when it comes to size – pick one that works for you and your outfit. Whether it’s a small piece pinned to your lapel or a big, colourful one at your waist – keep it unique and wear it with pride and you’ll never go wrong.

Use it to make a statement or simply to add some fuss-free bling - wearing a brooch will definitely earn you points for experimentation. Pin it to the lapel of your candy coloured jacket like Freida Pinto or go old-school like Michelle Obama or Kate Middleton, or even use it to brighten up a plain old collar – the endless ways you can style a brooch is enough inspiration to pick up a piece this season.

elizabeth.mathew@gmail.com

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