I don’t know about you, but I feel naked without all of my jewelry on. Rings are my version of an adult fidget spinner, I have two bracelets permanently welded onto my wrist, and two necklaces and two earrings that never come off, all before adding the rest of my daily jewelry accoutrements.
But brooches…these are new to me. My very stylish grandmother recently passed down several from her vintage collection, and I was thrilled to have new accessories to play with. Every time I pinned on a brooch, Carrie Brownstein was in my head saying “What a sad little tote bag. I know, I’ll put a bird on it. Did you see this bag before? I didn’t. Now there’s a bird. It’s flying, it’s free”.
Which is exactly how I felt putting a brooch on it. I’m a serial outfit repeater, so I’m always motivated to find different ways to style my wardrobe to avoid feeling stale. I’m happy to report that the Nanushka gray blazer jacket I’ve worn a casual 47 times this year and Ganni gray blazer that I’ve only worn 12 times (both via
ofc) felt flying and free with a brooch on it.The Brooch Assortment
Not the most glamorous picture, but I received a treasure trove of brooches in flower, leaf, circular, semi-circular, and bar shapes, made even more special that I think of my grandmother every time I put one on. I got through each silhouette and am scouring Copenhagen Fashion Week street style pics this week to find styling inspiration for the two brooches I haven’t worn yet.
The Flower Brooch
This secondhand Ganni jacket has been slightly more limiting to style due to a cinched waist and deep v-neck neckline, although I’m so happy to have it in my lineup. It was a huge win when I pinned the lapel closed for a prim aesthetic, which gives it an entirely different vibe.
This exact blazer is on eBay (size 34, NWT, open to offers) and
(size 36, excellent condition), both at a significantly better price than I paid preloved FYI.
The Bar Brooch
This brooch has so many styling possibilities with its clean silhouette and statement but not OTT size. It’s the perfect fit for a blazer breast pocket, like my beloved secondhand Nanushka blazer jacket.
The Circle Brooch
I felt very much like my grandmother since she really features1 a longline blazer + brooch combo, and took things up a notch with an animal print skirt and pointy flats.
The Patterned Brooch
Bringing back the big collar energy from two weeks ago, but reining it in with this brooch. I didn’t even have to make any holes in my shirt2 with the brooch pin thanks to the eyelet design in my enormous collar.
The Leaf Brooch
Inspired by the belt charm microtrend, I put a brooch on my jeans waistband over the main button. I might get wild next time and fasten a few brooches on a belt, or a ribbon repurposed as a belt.
Did I love this look? Yes. Did I remember right before leaving the house that I was wearing a highly snaggable sheer top and delicate vegan leather jacket? Also yes.
I popped the charm onto my bag strap instead and felt better about keeping my outfit intact. Enjoy this scintillating video of me walking outside with my brooch safely out of reach of my jacket and top.
The Leaf Brooch x 2
I’ve been lazy in styling my preloved sheer lace skirt ($11.98 on ThredUp, the deal of the century) and took this as an opportunity to break out of my fringe jacket outfit repeating. I live for a head-to-toe black outfit and this one called for two leaf brooches to break up the tonality.
If you’re looking for a black lace skirt for fall, I’ve rounded up several secondhand styles here. This skirt and this skirt feel the closest to mine and I’m intrigued by burgundy lace for fall. Everything at the top of this assortment was still in stock yesterday with many styles under $75 and some under $25.
Dream Brooches
If I had a larger budget, I would buy all of these stunning Justine Menard brooches:
And also this one from Agmes:
More Brooch Inspo
is the ultimate brooch connoisseur and you can see how she’s wearing them here, here and here.
’ brooch guide is a visual masterpiece. I sadly didn’t come across it until I was at the end of these outfits, but will 100% reference this in the future.
More Mindful Fashion Writers To Follow
expert stylist (as in the first stylist for Matches Fashion), blends resale and firsthand to create a more responsible and very chic wardrobe
No Buy 365 icon, recently added sourcer of curated vintage and secondhand bags to her style resume
prioritizes secondhand shopping, great styling inspiration for what you already own
minimalist outfit repeater, founder of mindful fashion PR agency compose PR
Fashion Notes
I’m trying to be more of a Type A-/B+, and it took every fiber of my Type A+ being to not edit in the missing word in this Note (saw it immediately after posting, caved on Tuesday - progress).
A slightly delusional expert.
Let the Copenhagen SS26 Fashion Week content begin.
Nosy merchant poll of the week:
NEXT WEEK: SS26 Fashion Week Street Style Trends series starting with Copenhagen.
That’s it for this week, thanks for reading! If you’re already a brooch fan, what’s your best platform for secondhand/vintage finds or your favorite brand? This new brooch-wearer would love to learn from you.
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This post includes affiliate links that help support my newsletter at no cost to you. Everything linked is something that I own, wear on repeat, and love, plus this post features a wishlist item and a secondhand roundup.
We’re destined to be friends if you know what book this is from.
Another book iykyk: Becky’s date with Tarquin, an expensive new dress, and a horse brooch in Confessions of a Shopaholic.
I notice a lot of your fits include spicing up a blazer, typically on a lapel, and that all of your fits are generally more business casual... but I'd love to see how you dress down a brooch - the true test of sustainable rewearability, in my opinion! Perhaps a future challenge :)?
I also inherited some brooches, thanks for the reminder to use them! I turned one into a barrette/hair clip for my wedding which is super easy with a hot glue gun!