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About: Spring & Summer 2020: Accessories

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Getting creative with brooches

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi all

I love big ornate Chanel style brooches/amulets and have a nice collection of vintage brooches in a similar style that I like to play around with. I thought I’d share some ideas on the theme of repurposing.

(All my brooches are inexpensive vintage buys from Etsy. I enjoy giving them a new lease of life.)

Pic 2-5. I wanted a fleur de lis necklace but couldn’t find one. Instead I repurposed a vintage fleur de lis brooch with a necklace converter (pic 3). I find these work better if you glue the converter to the brooch (otherwise the brooch tends to tip forward or move from side to side). This means you have to commit to wearing the brooch as a necklace. I can still remove the brooch from the chain and wear the chain with other pendants. (The chain is vintage Givenchy from Etsy.) I wear this combination a lot both on its own and layered with pearls or other necklaces. The chain is long enough that I can wear it double or triple wrapped.

Pics 6-9. Sometimes you can get away with attaching the brooch directly to a necklace chain, if the chain is sturdy enough.

Pics 10-12. I’ve also tried attaching a large brooch to a 90s style hoop necklace. This one is so BIG and medieval looking I haven’t had the occasion to wear it yet. But I’m ready for a Game of Thrones party

Pics 13-15. A brooch repurposed as a Chanel inspired bangle. I’ve posted this before. My DH made the bangle.

Pic 16. A brooch as a skirt adornment. Wrap skirts work well for this. I’ve also tried attaching a brooch to a belt, but you need to use an elastic belt to make it work. Leather is too tough. I think a chain/circle belt might work too.

Pic 17. Multiple brooches. Not a photo of me! I keep this as an inspiration pic. I love the idea of wearing multiple brooches but I don’t seem to have the right combination. I think all my brooches are too statement-ish and you need some quieter (essential type!) brooches in the combination to make it work.

Pic 18. Brooch + turtleneck. Another inspiration pic. I plan to try this out soon.

What do you think? Does anyone have any other ideas they’d like to share?

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34 replies

Latest reply was from April

MsMaven

Veteran

Wow! So gorgeous and so impressive. Every one looks gorgeous on you. what a fun idea to put it on a wrap skirt!

I have some older brooches that I no longer wear and I do think about putting them on a chain. I had a fabulous one that was stolen when our house was burglarized--either Kenneth Jay Lane or Ciro. It was something like #13 and your find. I still wish I had it.

Thank you for posting these--this is really inspirational for me. I think I'll do some experimenting tomorrow.

Joy

Veteran

This jewelry is so your style. I need to get my Celtic dragon brooch on a chain ready for St Patrick’s day.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, you are so creative and stylish! I remember the bangle from before. It is so lovely.

I don't have any brooches. I'm not much of an accessories person, and I'm always afraid of ruining my clothes with the pin. If I ever see one I fall in love with, maybe I can buy the converter and wear it as a necklace!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You are so creative with your wardrobe,l think that In another life you would be a costume designer.#9 is especially appealing to me.

rachylou

Veteran

That bracelet is still the absolute best! I’ve never heard of a converter before; how smart! I’ve been looking at pictures where people dot their whole outfit with brooches... if you’re looking for more ideas...

Helena

Veteran

Wow , beautiful and so creative.

wendy

Oh, that is so cool. It would have never occurred to me. I do have a couple of vintage brooches. They were made with both a pin and hoop.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You rock those brooches, and I love the creativity!

I have some vintage ones from when I wore them in the 80s, plus some from my mom that are even older. But they mostly sit in a box where I look at them and reminisce from time to time. Mom loved brooches and they spark good memories for me, even though most are not my style for wearing.

RobinF

Veteran

Love the way you use them! I might have some stuck in a drawer from back in the 80's but they aren't as gorgeous as these anyway.

Bijou

Veteran

Brooklyn I am in awe of how you have been able to replicate (along with some help from DH) the jewellery of Chanel. Your cuff is such a stunning piece, as is all the brooches turned into necklaces. I have bought a Chanel inspired tweed dress and coat, so copying these is definitely something I would love to do.

Anonymous

I love every single piece here . Such creativity, and beautiful pieces too .

JAileen

Veteran

I love seeing your creativity wearing these lovely pieces. The bracelet your husband made is especially nice. You look fab. As usual.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brooklyn, it must be awfully therapeutic and satisfying to have this creative outlet. And with such KILLER results!

Sal

Veteran

You and DH have done a brilliant job here. What a fab idea and do in tune with your signature style.

My Mum left us a gorgeous Scottish Thistle brooch that this might work for.

I am going to have a play. Thanks for sharing . Each one is stunning on you.

Mainelady

Veteran

There is so much here to love. The pieces are all beautiful. I love the creativity of repurposing these pieces. All are stunning, but my fave is the blue.

A retired colleague of mine could rock a brooch and always looked so chic and stylish. I have a few vintage brooches that belonged to my grandmother and every once in a while I remember to wear one. Your post is inspiring me to get a bit more creative.

taylor

Veteran

Beautiful stuff as always. I love your creativity. It’s something that absolutely must be satisfied.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You are so good at visualizing something and making it happen. These are all gorgeous, and who else would have thought of a brooch on a skirt!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous and inspirational. On phone now but will come back. Seriously want to borrow one of these ideas. You are brilliant with these jewelry creations! It could be a sideline for you!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Lots of people with heirloom brooches. I have a few of those too. I wonder if they could work as part of a group, similar to pic 17. Especially if you combined them with some more modern brooches. It would be nice to wear those heirlooms!

Suz and CG, I think I’m a frustrated jewellery stylist. They exist you know!

Rachy, I’m going to look that up.

Bijou, I could totally see the whole Chanel look on you. If you want some help tracking down some Chanel-esque brooches on Etsy, I’m your gal. I just stumbled on this Chanel outfit from about 10 years ago. I just love the embellishment. The brooches, the belt, the bangles, the headband, the buttons. It’s my dream outfit. But maybe in burgundy

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Anonymous

Wow! I like the cuff bracelet the most- think I need one...in tortie....
I've used them on necklaces too, and on hats, and to fasten wrap skirts. Don't have any elaborate ones now but you're making me want to check the op shops!

Inge

(website)

These are all fantastic, WOW!! Very creative and very you!

I started a pinboard a while back for brooch inspiration, maybe there's something there that might spark even more ideas:

https://www.pinterest.com/Inge.....-and-pins/

avicennia

Veteran

Great looks! You might consider wearing them on hats. I also love vintage brooches but I can’t wear them pinned on my chest — something about wearing specs makes necklaces and brooches feel to busy for me. So, I’ve taken to wearing my brooches pinned to my hats for a retro, fun look that gets compliments.

cindysmith

Veteran

Love <3

Mirjana

Veteran

Beautiful as always and so creative, BRAVO. The jewelry is your signature sign, just your style. I love all, very inspiring.

Katerina

Veteran

Fantastic ideas! Thank you so much sharing these, what a treat.

I repurposed a big belt buckle into a necklace. A bit similar to your no 10

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Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Inge, that pinboard is amazing! Lots of inspiration. Brooches on sleeve cuffs or rolled sleeves - going to think about that. It would be nice to have a matching pair of brooches to do it with. Like cuff links. Thinking ....

Avicennia, good idea!

Katerina, that looks great!

ST, if you lived here I’d get DH to make one for you

Inge

(website)

Brrooklyn - Yes! I really love the look of cuffs and rolled sleeves too, and you would totally rock that! A matching pair could be fab for that, but non-matchy could work too. Can't wait to see what you come up with:-)

Bijou

Veteran

Brooklyn - I have three tweed suits, all by Carla Zampatti and I think she is very influenced by Chanel. I usually wear a long strand of pearls with these, but I could really lift my game in getting creative with brooches.

I could definitely see you in a burgundy version of that amazing Chanel outfit, its stunning.

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anne

Veteran

Great looks Brooklyn, and so creative. I had also not known about necklace converters.

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