My Favourite, Modern Ways to Wear a Brooch (That will definitely not make you feel old-fashioned!)

As I write, brooches are probably my very favourite accessory of all.

I am an accessories lover (and designer), and of course, it does depend on the time of year as to which accessory type I'm obsessed with. Headbands, hair clips and statement earrings all come into their own in the warmer months. But as I write I am sitting here swathed in layers - a gilet over a jumper, and even a beret too to stay as cosy as possible.

What I love about brooches as an accessory is that cosy can also be sparkling, fresh and glamorous, all rolled into one - with the addition of a simple pin or two. In fact as you can see I've add them to both my hat and gilet!

Yes - winter layers are a great way to showcase your brooches, as I'll share with you below. However brooches shine in summer too, and in fact can feel particularly modern when worn on a crisp shirt.

But are Brooches Old Fashioned?

This is the question I hear over and over again from customers at my Pop Up Shops who haven't yet discovered the joys of brooches. 

They tell me about the pearl brooches they have inherited from their great aunt that are sitting unworn in a far-away drawer.

If you think brooches are old fashioned, you probably have in your mind's eye an image of that great aunt wearing a brooch on her best coat. Yes, there's a certain nostalgic glamour to that image, but it doesn't feel modern.

Get those brooches out of the drawer, and wear them in a fresh way!

Yes brooches can definitely be modern!

Brooches are endlessly versatile, and deliciously creative and playful. With brooches you can add your own personal stamp to your clothes, so that each item becomes a one-off piece with your own creative twist. 

In the words of Anna Wintour "Create your own style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others."

Are brooches trending in 2026?

Yes! Brooches made a big comeback on the celebrity scene in 2025, and the trend is escalating for 2026.

In the words of Red Magazine "The Fashion Set are obsessed with brooches, and it's easy to see why..." Jan 20th 2026

This is one trend that suits everyone too, you can completely make it your own. Play around and discover your favourite of the 7 Modern Ways to Wear a Brooch.

1) Add a brooch to a beret or hat

Adding a Brooch to a Beret transforms your hat into a unique, style-forward piece, quicker than you can say "Coco".

Even if berets aren't your cup of tea, this hack works with any hat you think needs some extra glimmer. It adds an unexpected twist to a beanie too. 

In the photo above I've added our Vintage Brooch Large in Pink to my favourite raspberry beret. I've had so many compliments on this combination, I often get strangers in Tesco telling me how fabulous my hat is when I wear it out and about!

The look works well with a smaller brooch too, if statement brooches aren't your style. (Check out the bee brooch I've worn on this same raspberry beret in the top photo.)

 Choose your brooch to express how you feel - and feel free to change on a daily basis. Will it be a Butterfly, Bird or maybe even your favourite animal today?

2) Wear brooches on lapels of jackets and blazers 

OK so this is perhaps the most traditional place to wear a brooch - on your lapel, but how about mixing things up by wearing your brooches on a denim jacket?

Wearing a brooch on a denim jacket feels like a mash-up of vintage and modern style, and that is why it feels so fresh!

For a statement look, try clustering your brooches on your denim jacket as I have here. I've chosen a selection of animal brooches that work together tonally. Go for a common colour, and group together coordinating brooches, scattering them across your lapels. 

It's great fun creating the look, and it's a real conversation starter too. The ultimate jewellery ice-breaker!

 3) Add a brooch to a bag or purse

Adding a brooch to a plain bag, (that maybe you are a little bored of) is the best short-cut to feeling like you have a whole new bag!

This is one of my favourite ways to wear brooches, as it really elevates the bag to a whole new level. 

You can use your brooch to reflect your mood (maybe a cute bee brooch for a playful mood, or a butterfly brooch when you're feeling feminine) 

Try tying the colour of the brooch into another detail on your outfit, like your shoes, or a tone in your dress.

Alternatively, just opt for a classic look as I have in the photo above - with our Sunflower Brooch with Pearl and Crystal. I bought this bag from a charity shop, and was delighted by how my brooch completely transformed the bag in the style stakes. 

If you're travelling, this a great hack as you can bring a brooch with you to wear on a denim jacket one day, and then use the same brooch to elevate a purse into a clutch bag the following evening. Brooches give your clothes and accessories a whole new look, and take up the teeniest amount of space in your luggage!

It takes less than 5 minutes - just answer these 7 fun questions!

4) Wear a brooch at your shirt neckline

Another way of wearing your brooches to jazz up your outfits, is placing them at the neckline of a favourite shirt. 

This is a unique substitute to wearing a necklace during the day, and something you can personalise to your taste.

Whether you only want to use one, or maybe even layer a few of your favourite brooches, this eye-catching look will transform your shirt from simple to chic in an instant. 

For styling my shirt I chose our silver 1920s winged brooch. It felt like I was wearing a cool stylish bow tie, and I love the quirky vibe it gave to my striped shirt.

5) Wear a cute brooch on a neck tie

Do you love scarves as much as I do? That's a whole different blog! 

One of my favourite ways to wear a long, narrow scarf is as a necktie, and that simple look is transformed when you add a quirky brooch at the fold of the scarf.

Long scarves ooze vintage-movie-star glamour, and what better way to bring that look bang up to date, and make it your own (yes - you too are a movie star), than by adding your favourite brooch?

Our Flamingo Brooch is a personal favourite for me (pink feathers and long legs? Yes please!) If I were an animal I'd love to be a flamingo...

So whichever animal brooch is your favourite, try creating your own unique scarf brooch style statement, and hey presto, you've got your go-to accessory combination to add flair to any outfit. 

6) Wear a pair of brooches on your cuffs

This one will catapult you high in the style stakes. The key to modern brooch style is to be as playful and alternative as possible, and wear brooches in unusual places. 

Wearing a brooch to secure your cuff most definitely feels unexpected, and so oozes modern chic. 

Try our classic Sunflower Brooch as we have in the photo here, or opt for an animal brooch like our bee brooch to bring an added touch of whimsical charm to the look. 

This hack can work well to spice up your daily office outfit, or equally well to add some extra shimmer when meeting friends for drinks. 

7) Wear your brooches over your buttons

Well this is a statement look that will totally transform that vintage blazer you thrifted!

We've chosen to use our Vintage Brooch Large with Crystal on all 3 buttons in the photo here, but you could equally try using different brooches on each button that coordinate tonally.  

You'll need to choose brooches that are large enough to cover the existing buttons underneath. Circular brooches do work well here, to create the impression that your buttons are a seamless part of your jacket. 

This can be a great brooch hack if the button has fallen off your favourite jacket - just wear a brooch over the buttonhole instead, and make a chic style statement (nobody will know you've actually got a missing button underneath!)

If you're going to a special event, this could be just the style statement you're looking to transform your blazer or coat into a red-carpet worthy cover-up. Yes you are a movie star!

So those are my Favourite, 7 modern ways to wear a brooch. I hope you have been inspired - if you love these tips, then I've got something fun for you...

I'd love to give you personalised Brooch Styling Ideas - Click on the image below and take the Brooch Queen Quiz Now!

With love, Amanda X

It takes less than 5 minutes - just answer these 7 fun questions!