https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:23:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro/page/2#post-1059160 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 23:05:26 +0000 Greyscale 1059160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! I love that brooch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro/page/2#post-1058697 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 17:25:06 +0000 rachylou 1058697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Has anyone mentioned wearing brooches at the waist? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro/page/2#post-1058614 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 16:05:44 +0000 Diana 1058614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I used to wear a lizard a lot, pinned on a denim jacket like Astrid's photo.&nbsp; I've also done a brooch on a blazer (not on the lapel, but just around collarbone level next to the lapel.&nbsp; </p> <p>I wonder if pinning it to a belt might work too (or a belt loop). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro/page/2#post-1058613 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 16:04:23 +0000 rae 1058613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Faith, my brooch is heavy, and I also worry about damage. Great point! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058610 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 16:01:28 +0000 Faith 1058610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was also going to suggest Greyscale's idea of pinning one at the neck of a high-buttoned shirt or blouse. It seems to me to be soooo retro (as in Edwardian rather than mid-century) that it can look surprisingly modern. I'm also inspired by Gryffin's suggestion to extend the idea to blouses that button at the back of the neck, I may just experiment with placing a brooch at the top center of a back-button collar. I've also used brooches in the past as a kind of faux button closure on a a swing-style blazer. My main concern with the vintage brooches I have is that the pins are so wide and the brooches so heavy that I worry about them damaging fabric -- some of them are definitely too heavy to go anywhere near a delicate blouse. I'll keep some of the scarf, etc., suggestions in mind for those! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058602 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:51:25 +0000 rae 1058602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is my brooch - I have others, but this is the one I really, really want to wear. It's rather large... close to real mantis size.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hm, I don't want to do a cluster for sure. Again, that feels retro and at odds with where my style has been going lately. I'm going to see if I can get it to cooperate today. Going to try either the center-of-the-collar method or the crawling-on-the-shirt method!</p> <p>Thank you for all the wonderful ideas, especially those who added pics! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058588 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:43:57 +0000 Astrid 1058588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of fantastic ideas in this thread! I'm going to bookmark it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058580 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:37:40 +0000 ManidipaM 1058580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thread through jacket cuffs or epaulettes or tabs on sleeves or shoelaces? Pin to a chain and add to a vest the way you might wear a pocket watch? Attach to suspenders if you do those at all? If you wear fingerless gloves in your climes, place them on the back of your hand? Have it crawling half out of a jacket or coat pocket? If any of your belts are fabric or perforated leather or have chainlink detailing, use on the buckle? Place on the bicep of long-sleeved t-shirts? Weat it in the cables of a chunky sweater, but either really high (shoulder, neckline) or lower than the bust... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058528 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:59:01 +0000 unfrumped 1058528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I collected some vintage-y flower pins as well, mostly sterling or antique looking metals and liked to wear them with blazers. Then I just got too busy to fuss with much of it. Still I'd like to wear them on the jackets because often my jackets are simple styles. </p> <p>I have trouble with what would be the difference between a "signature" look that continues through different years, vs. "dated". I'm up for trying the brooch-as-pendant idea, since I'd like more&nbsp;pendant options&nbsp;(simple necklaces can often work for work) but would have fun using what I have in&nbsp; a new way and the&nbsp;vintage&nbsp;pins&nbsp;would give a more unique result. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058501 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:30:15 +0000 ironkurtin 1058501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I say embrace the retro, personally. &nbsp;I have several very small bug pins that I use to keep the gap over my boobs closed on certain shirts, but they are deliberately small. &nbsp;For a big pin, I'd probably let it be the diva and stick it right where it couldn't be missed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058498 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:27:27 +0000 Neha 1058498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pinning a brooch at the nape of your neck (if you have short hair or if you've done an updo) looks very classy.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058472 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:59:50 +0000 Cindy 1058472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have several brooches that I don't wear as often as I should so I like some of the ideas here. I like to wear a cluster of brooches on a blazer or coat. I would wear the insect with a flower or two! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058413 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:06:00 +0000 Archer 1058413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you tried it on an otherwise monotone outfit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058400 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:43:59 +0000 Janet 1058400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question and great ideas. I am watching with interest. I have quite a collection of pins and brooches -- many inherited from my mom, and some that I still own from back in the 80s when they were more popular. Some are very vintage, and some are more modern -- a ginkgo leaf is a more recent favorite that I put on a chain and wear as a pendant. </p> <p>I've been moving towards a less-is-more approach towards jewelry lately, and wearing just one statement piece per outfit, plus my rings and watch, but I'd love to get more use out of my pins. Thanks for all the good ideas so far! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058393 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:32:29 +0000 Anonymous 1058393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been wearing brooches as pendants on either a chain or leather. Craft stores have the leather, often with attached clasp, in different widths and colors. You might manage to pin it to a studded leather cuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058388 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:26:50 +0000 amiable 1058388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can you turn it into a pendant and wear it as a necklace? &nbsp;Or pin it somewhere other than where a brooch would normally go? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058378 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 12:10:58 +0000 gryffin 1058378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae - I once sat behind a woman at the theater.&nbsp; She had a gold and black enamel bumblebee pinned&nbsp;to the back shoulder of her black dress.&nbsp; I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn't real!&nbsp; I think pinning it to an unexpected area, as if it just landed, was really witty and a lot of fun.&nbsp; We spent the entire intermission discussing her collection of insect pins.&nbsp; Just a thought!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058318 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 11:04:51 +0000 Lantana 1058318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On the side of your boot? At the back of your neck? On your wrist. You know, anywhere a creepycrawly would naturally gravitate to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058309 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:35:03 +0000 Deborah 1058309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I quite liked these two ideas. Possibly workable for day wear;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058296 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 09:54:45 +0000 krishnidoux 1058296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you tried putting it on a hat? I am thinking tweed cap, of the side... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058240 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 07:40:33 +0000 Deborah 1058240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae I'd like to see the brooch in question:). I really like Jjsloans idea. I find brooches often fall into one of two categories, retro or old fashioned and dated. I love them but they are tricky. I have a couple of lovely ones but just don't know what to do with them. A really modern design is different and IMHO easier to work with. Watching this thread with eager anticipation. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058237 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 07:17:05 +0000 Neel 1058237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks greyscale for that link! &nbsp;Brilliant ideas in there! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1058236 Mon, 21 Oct 2013 07:12:57 +0000 fern 1058236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like Greyscale's link: I was thinking of pinning the two sides of a scarf or an open cardigan together - but they show a brooch pinning a deep orange fur stole! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057753 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:26:54 +0000 Greyscale 1057753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Try putting it centered at the neckline. I think that looks really modern on a blouse/shirt that's buttoned up all the way.</p> <p>Here are some ideas from Nordstrom:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://blogs.nordstrom.com/fashion/brooches-9-ways-to-wear-falls-sharpest-accessory/">http://blogs.nordstrom.com/fas.....accessory/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057743 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:08:41 +0000 Sona 1057743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On a coat? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057735 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:56:31 +0000 Jjsloane 1057735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think depending on the size it could look good on destructed jeans looking like an embellishment. I could also see it wherever a button would be as a replacement (again depending on size). I'm curious as I have a large collection of vintage rhinestone brooches I would love to bring out of the jewelry drawer.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057734 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:56:00 +0000 Carla 1057734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe TracyLiz65 posted some pics of clustered pins on denim jackets inspired by something she had seen!? I like alskagirl' s suggestion of pinning it to a slouchy toque or beret. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057732 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:52:06 +0000 Rusty 1057732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question! I have something similar and have been wondering how to style it. I am following with interest to see what other suggest also. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057720 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:33:29 +0000 Kat 1057720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love a good insect brooch! &nbsp;I've always longed for a scarab or a bee myself, but the right piece has never found me. &nbsp;I really like the idea above of pinning it to denim, or something more casual, to make it look more modern. &nbsp;I could see a nifty scarab on an army jacket, myself. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-wear-a-brooch-without-looking-retro#post-1057714 Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:26:25 +0000 Debra 1057714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have seen them worn on a denim jacket by a very cool looking young lady and I thought it looked great. You brooch sounds wonderful </p>