Have you ever heard the phrase, “Everything old is new again?” This rings especially true when it comes to fashion and jewelry. Some jewelry styles, including brooches that once seemed old or outdated, tend to resurface and regain appeal. While their popularity may ebb and flow, there’s always a stylish, beautiful way to wear a brooch.
What is a brooch?
Let’s handle a little light housekeeping before going any further. The word “brooch” is often mispronounced. The “oo" in the middle usually leads people to incorrectly rhyme it with "pooch" or "smooch" when it should instead rhyme with "poach" or "coach."
A brooch is a decorative accessory, typically worn on clothing, fastened with a pin or clasp. It can feature a variety of designs, from simple and elegant to ornate and intricate, often serving as a statement piece or a way to express personal style. Smaller gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or emeralds, are generally featured in a precise pattern, arranged to form specific shapes or images, like flowers, animals or geometric patterns.
Many brooches are round or oval, with a pin on the back that attaches it to clothing. While some are used functionally to fasten pieces of clothing, others may be worn simply for decorative purposes, attached anywhere from the chest or shoulder to hats, scarves and more.
Brooches can have various fastening mechanisms, including a circular pin (traditional), a c-clasp (a hinged bar and catch), a roll-over clasp (common in vintage pieces), or a safety clasp (with an extra security lock). Some modern brooches may also feature magnetic closures for easier wear.
History of brooches
Brooches date back to the Bronze Age (roughly from 4000 to 2000 BCE, after the Stone Age) when people used these safety-pin style clips to fasten heavy clothing like cloaks or tunics. Brooch styles and meanings evolved over time and were also a staple of the Roman Empire. However, these brooches were made of a broader range of materials and often served as a status symbol. Both decorative and functional, these early brooches had distinct designs depending on their region of origin. For example, the Franks liked circular flower-shaped brooches, while the Scandinavians were known for their tortoise (circular, domed-shaped) and clover-shaped brooches.
With advancements in jewelry making, brooches became more intricate and ornate, incorporating techniques such as filigree (delicate ornamental work made from twisting thin metal wires into intricate patterns) and gemstone settings. By the 19th century, brooches gained widespread popularity as commercial jewelry, reflecting both personal style and social status.
Famous brooches in history
With thousands of years of history, there’s bound to be a brooch or two that stands out from the rest. Here are a few that have made their mark on history.
- The Tara Brooch. A great example of early medieval Irish craftsmanship, the Tara Brooch is known for its intricate designs and elaborate goldwork. Dating from the 7th to 8th century, it is one of the finest surviving pieces of Celtic jewelry and is now housed in the National Museum of Ireland.
- The Cullinan Diamond Brooch. This iconic brooch features not one but two diamonds cut from the famous Cullinan Diamond—the largest gemstone-quality diamond ever discovered. The two diamonds, the 94.4-carat, pear-shaped Cullinan III and the 63.6-carat, cushion-shaped Cullinan IV, were mounted as a single brooch in 1911 as a gift to Queen Mary.
- Queen Victoria’s Mourning Brooch. After the death of her husband, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria wore a mourning brooch containing a lock of his hair, symbolizing her grief and enduring love. This type of jewelry became widely popular during the Victorian era as a personal expression of mourning.
How to wear a brooch: style tips for novice and pro brooch wearers alike
Brooches are easy to wear. You clip, pin, or magnetize them on, and you’re all set, right? Kind of. You should consider a few things to pull off your brooch seamlessly:
- The perfect placement: The traditional brooch placement is on the left side of the chest, perfect for occasions like formal events and weddings. Try placing the brooch at the waistline or on your shoulder for a more modern look. However, the sky is the limit for brooch placement! You can attach one to your favorite necklaces or use it to fasten together a shawl or wrap (especially practical on a chilly evening out!).
- Make a statement: Even if your brooch isn’t oversized, bold or bright, pairing it with a simple, understated outfit can produce a balanced look and still allow it to shine. Consider simple monotone clothing, plain blouses, dresses and jackets.
- Adding brooches to outerwear: Expand your brooch placement horizons by adding bling to your outerwear. Brooches make great cold-weather accessories when strategically placed on heavy coats, hats, jackets and scarves. But let’s not stop there! Think outside the jewelry box and you may find that accessories like handbags, headbands and even hair clips might be creative places to add a brooch, too.
- Consider the entire jewelry look: Although brooches are outside the "typical" jewelry categories, you should still consider them part of your overall ensemble. Make sure your brooch coordinates well with other pieces (in terms of style, design, size, shape, and color), like your watch, necklace, earrings, bracelets, or rings.
- One brooch, two brooch, three brooch, four: sometimes with brooches, more is more. Don’t corner yourself into a single-brooch look. If your ensemble and the occasion call for it, add two or more brooches for a bold look that is sure to make a statement.
- Balance: Before you get carried away and adorn yourself with brooches from head to toe, remember that balance is essential. If your brooches are scattered haphazardly across your outfit without a clear intention, your look might come across as chaotic and distracting. Conversely, a single small, subtle brooch might go unnoticed entirely. Aim for the perfect balance, where each brooch complements the whole, enhancing your ensemble without overwhelming it.
- A brooch for all occasions: Brooches have a subtly stylish, sophisticated quality. But don’t let this fool you into thinking you can only wear them for formal events. Brooches are very versatile and can pair nicely with a tailored blazer or can add just the right amount of pizzazz to a more casual vibe. And because brooches come in such a wide range of designs, you really can find a brooch for almost any interest or occasion.
Are brooches in style?
After decades of seeing Queen Elizabeth II sporting brooches, it’s easy to see why brooches sometimes get a bad rap for being a “grandma accessory.” However, despite this perception, brooches have maintained a consistent presence throughout history and have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years.
When a fashion style or trend appears on a glitzy red carpet, it’s safe to say it’s “fashionable.” Brooches had a strong showing at the 2024 Academy Awards, with actors like Robert Downey Jr., Matthew McConaughey and Simu Liu embracing the accessory. With brooches appearing front and center on celebrity red carpets and designer fashion shows, it’s no mystery why the jewelry style has once again taken off with mainstream jewelry wearers.
Insure your brooch with Jewelers Mutual
Brooches may not be the first type of jewelry you think of when considering insurance. But don’t overlook these beautiful pieces, especially if they’re made of valuable gems or precious metals! If yours gets lost, stolen or damaged, you’ll be wishing you protected them with a personal jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. It's an affordable option that covers loss, theft and damage. Check your rate by clicking the button below.
