How to Wear a Brooch

Co-authored by Jordan Stolch and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: December 12, 2021 References

If you're not familiar with wearing a brooch, it can seem like a tricky accessory. Brooches were once commonly used to accessorize clothing, and they typically have a hinged pin you can use to fasten them to fabric. While they aren't as common as they used to be, a brooch can still be a way to add flair and personality to almost any outfit. And even when you're not wearing it on your clothes, there are still plenty of ways you can make use of a pretty brooch in your collection!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Wearing a Brooch on Your Clothing

1
Pin your brooch to the breast of a blouse for a classic look. Adding a brooch to your blouse will instantly make you look more elegant and refined. Just pass the pin on the brooch into the fabric on your shirt, then push it out through the other side.
- Typically, a brooch looks neatest when it's pinned between your breast and collarbone.
- Don’t gather too much fabric when you’re pinning the brooch to your shirt, or your shirt will look puckered or bunched up.
- A simple brooch on a solid-colored shirt is a great way to ease into this trend.
- If you're wearing the brooch into the office, try putting on a white button-down and a thin cable-knit sweater on top of that. Then put the brooch on the outside of the sweater, and tie the outfit together with a simple black skirt with black tights or a simple black pair of pants.^{[1]
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2
Use a brooch to emphasize the collar of a shirt. If you have a shirt with a relatively stiff collar, you can use a brooch to dress it up. You can place a single brooch to one side of the collar, or you can use 2 identical brooches on either side of the collar for a symmetrical look.
- Try clustering several brooches along one side of your collar for a unique look. For instance, in the springtime, a collection of flower-shaped brooches would look great on the collar of a chambray button-down.
- You can also wear the brooch on your shirt just below the points of your collar. Try wearing brooches with a pearl design to soften a Western button-down shirt.^{[2]
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3
Wear a brooch to add sparkle to a simple dress. Whether you’re wearing a pastel-colored sheath dress, a little black dress, or a sweater dress, a brooch can add visual interest and a unique touch. Experiment with different locations for the brooch to see what looks best.^{[3]
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- If your dress has ruched detailing, try placing the brooch at your waist right where the material gathers.
- Wearing a brooch could leave a small hole in the material, especially if the dress is made of a delicate fabric like chiffon or lace. If that's the case, either opt for a small brooch, or put on a jacket and wear the brooch on that, instead.
4
Pin your brooch to a cozy sweater to mix style and comfort. When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing more comfortable than pulling on a soft sweater. Dress up your sweater with a little sparkle by pinning on a brooch, and you’ll instantly look more put-together!^{[4]
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- Elevate your outfit further by adding on some skinny jeans, ankle boots, and a stylish scarf!
5
Add personality to a jacket or blazer by pinning a brooch to the lapel. If you wear a suit or a blazer to work, it can sometimes be hard to incorporate much of your personal style. By adding a brooch, you’ll stand out—in a good way! Pin the brooch on your lapel just above the widest part of your chest for a flattering accent.^{[5]
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- You can also wear your brooch on some kind of overcoat. If the rest of your outfit is really simple, this will make the brooch pop.^{[6]
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  Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.}
- If you have a playful personality, look for a whimsical brooch shaped like an animal, flower, or insect.
- For a more refined look, stick to abstract shapes, like a simple enamel circle or a jewel surrounded by pearls.
- Play around with the location of your brooch. Try slipping it through the top button-hole on your jacket instead of using it on the lapel. You can even use a brooch as a fastener if your jacket doesn’t have buttons.
6
Jazz up a simple T-shirt with a brooch. Sometimes the best style is an understated look. Add a brooch to a fitted T-shirt, and you’ll look like you’re ready for anything. Experiment with different-colored tees, including solids and stripes.^{[7]
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- However, avoid baggy tees or graphic T-shirts, as these tend to be very casual-looking.
- A brooch is a great way to dress up a black T-shirt and skirt combo.
7
Stick your brooch to the waist of a skirt for an unexpected touch. If you want to emphasize your waist, pin your brooch through the waistband of a fitted skirt. You can either pin it right in the center, or you can pin it off to the side if you prefer how that looks.^{[8]
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- Other unexpected ways to wear a brooch include on the neck of a turtleneck or on the cuff of your pants leg.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Finding New Ways to Style Your Brooch

1
Use a large brooch to secure the end of a scarf. If you love wearing a big, cozy scarf, but you don’t like to have the ends hanging down, a brooch is the perfect solution! Wrap the scarf comfortably around your neck, then use the brooch to pin the end of the scarf in place. This will add a pretty touch that’s as functional as it is stylish!^{[9]
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- You can pin the scarf in the center of your chest, or you can add the brooch closer to your shoulder if you prefer.
2
Pin your brooch to a headband or ribbon to wear it in your hair. A jeweled brooch can make the perfect hair accessory. For a simple way to tuck your brooch into your hair, pin the clasp to a headband or pass it through a ribbon. Then, slip on the headband or tie the ribbon around your hair for a unique new hairstyle!^{[10]
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- If you want to wear a brooch directly in your hair, spray your hair with texturizing spray. Then, find a place on the clasp where you can secure a bobby pin, and use that to attach the pin to your hair.
3
Make your brooch into a necklace to make it more versatile. If you want to wear your brooch but you don’t want to put holes in your clothes, try wearing it as a necklace instead. Attach it to a chain, a string of pearls, or even a piece of ribbon to create a one-of-a-kind necklace you can wear anywhere.^{[11]
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- To make your brooch into a choker, attach it to a narrow piece of ribbon or velvet that’s long enough to wrap around your throat.
- Make a smaller brooch into a pendant by attaching it to a long chain.
4
Wear identical brooches on the tops of your shoes to add a unique twist. Dress up your flats, loafers, or even a pair of canvas sneaker by pinning on a pair of matching brooches. Then, plan your outfit so the colors will coordinate with your sparkly shoe decorations!^{[12]
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- For example, if you add matching bright red brooches to a pair of black flats, you might then choose a pair of black skinny jeans, and a black shirt with red details.
5
Add flair to your favorite hat with a unique brooch. You can add a brooch to almost any hat to give it a little extra style. Just push the pin through the hat material and fasten the hat securely.
- Use a pretty jeweled brooch to dress up a cozy knit hat during the winter.
- Add a whimsical brooch to the side of a bowler hat or a fedora for a look that’s smart and playful.
6
Decorate a plain purse with a large brooch. Add extra flair to a simple bag by pinning on a decorative brooch. Try pinning it where the strap is attached, to the center of the bag, or on the purse flap.^{[13]
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- Avoid using a brooch that’s highly valuable. If you brush your bag against something, you could accidentally knock the brooch off or damage the clasp.

Community Q&A
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Question

On which side do you wear a brooch?

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Brooches are traditionally worn on the left side, so stick to the left in formal settings. However, you can always experiment with wearing it in different locations for a more casual look.
Question

How do you wear a brooch without damaging your clothes?

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If you want to avoid poking holes in your favorite blouse, one option is to modify your brooch by adding magnets. Remove the stick pin from the backing and glue on a couple of magnets instead. Use epoxy rather than hot glue, since the heat can mess up the magnetism. Secure the brooch in place by setting it on the outside of your clothes and placing loose magnets behind it on the inside.
Question

Can you wear a brooch and a necklace at the same time?

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Definitely, but you might want to balance an elaborate brooch with a simpler necklace to avoid a “busy” look. For example, try pairing a fancy gemstone brooch with a simple chain or a classic string of pearls.