How can I wear brooches in 2026 to give me a Style Boost?

Hello, my Queen! I’m so delighted you’ve found your way here. If we haven’t met yet, I’m Amanda, and I believe that every woman deserves to feel like a Queen every single day.

I love how getting creative with our accessories styling can help us elevate our outfits in an instant, and in my experience, there's no better accessory to add that signature touch than brooches. In fact, here I am wearing 3 brooches together. I had so much fun creating this look, and I think you'll have lots of fun too if you set your creative energy free and experiment. Try the 5 styling ideas in this blog, and think outside the box too....

The brooch aesthetic in 2026 is all about experimenting and developing your own brooch style. 

What's the Modern Way to Wear Brooches?

Lately, I’ve been hearing a question more and more at my Pop-Up Shops: "Amanda, I love the brooch aesthetic, but how do I actually wear one without feeling like I’ve raided my Great Aunt’s jewellery box?"

I love it when customers ask me this, because it's an opportunity to demonstrate just how creative you can get with brooches!

While there is a certain nostalgic glamour to a classic lapel pin, the modern brooch aesthetic is all about playfulness, creativity, and—most importantly—giving you that sparkling boost of confidence.

Whether you’re drawn to the shimmering elegance of Pearl Brooches or the whimsical charm of Insect Brooches, a brooch is your secret weapon for transforming a plain outfit into your favourite ensemble, that truly reflects your signature style. 

Did I mention how much fun I had creating the images for this blog? If I'm honest I started the morning feeling a little low, and then when I got stuck into the brooch styling, I couldn't stop. It lifted my spirits and definitely gave me a hit of dopamine. My version of a scientific experiment to show that this small accessory definitely does give you a big confidence boost.

OK - so here are my 5 Favourite Ways. I hope they boost your confidence (and dopamine) too!

1. The Neckline "Secret": Use a Brooch for Coverage with Sparkle

We all have that one gorgeous dress with a neckline that feels just a tiny bit too low for a morning meeting or a family lunch. Instead of reaching for a plain safety pin, why not embrace the brooch aesthetic?

By pinning a brooch at the "V" of your neckline, you create a beautiful focal point while giving yourself the coverage you need to feel confident.

I've used our silver bee brooch in the photo above here. It creates a striking visual contrast against my black velvet dress, and I also love its playfulness. Insect brooches like this bee brooch feel carefree and feminine. I wanted to create a look that added to the allure of the dress, rather than feeling too formal, so the bee brooch felt like the perfect, adorable touch. 

You can see in the photo below here that this idea works beautifully with colourful dresses too. We've used our moth brooch in the photo below - a similar, whimsical touch. 

2. The Hip Gather: Transforming Your Top with a Brooch

One of the easiest ways to play with the brooch aesthetic is by using it to change the silhouette of your clothes. If you have a plain jumper or a shift dress that feels a bit "boxy," or just a little flat, try this:

Gather a small section of fabric at your hip and secure it with a statement brooch. The brooch does need to be big enough to gather a section of the fabric and secure it in place.

For extra security, you can pin the brooch through to another layer of clothing below (for example, in the photo below I pinned the brooch through to my skirt).

The hip placement creates a flattering "cinched" effect without the need for a belt. For this look, I used our vintage brooch with pearl and crystal in hematite. 

This brooch is the perfect size to hold fabrics like wool or jersey, giving your everyday knitwear a "designer" twist.

3. The "Jewelled Cuff" Brooch: An Unexpected Detail

Who says brooches are only for your chest? One of my absolute favourite "secret" styling tips is to pin a matching pair of brooches onto the cuffs of a classic shirt or a jacket. 

It’s like having instant, oversized cufflinks! This look is a real conversation starter.

Or if you want to elevate your favourite dress in a whole new way - try adding brooches to the sleeves as I have here, to transform your dress into a unique style statement!

To create this look, I've used our large vintage brooch with crystal. They sit well on the length of the cuff, and work with the weight of the velvet fabric of my dress.

For a daytime look, I created an alternative jewelled cuff style on a favourite pink jacket. I used our small silver brooch to add a pretty detail that will make me smile every time I catch a glimpse of it!

Why not try Insect Brooches, like our sparkling bees or butterflies - they could work beautifully here! They look as though they’ve just landed on your sleeve, adding a touch of nature-inspired joy to your day.

4. Denim Jacket Brooch Cluster

If you want to dive head-first into the brooch aesthetic, your denim jacket is the perfect canvas. Denim is wonderful because its rugged texture provides a brilliant contrast to sparkling crystals.

In the photo above I've combined my favourite bee brooch with a rose brooch and a leaf brooch, and the nature inspired motifs work perfectly together. I've kept to gold tones as this matched the tone of the buttons on my denim jacket, but you can be more creative and mix colour and tone here if the mood strikes you. 

For a lighter look that feels truly joyful, I turned to a favourite pink corduroy jacket that I had at the back of my wardrobe! I added extra colour with the butterfly brooch that echoes the pink tones in the jacket. I think this cluster might have been my favourite brooch hack of the day!

Try creating a cluster on the lapel combined with the area above the pocket. Have a go at mixing and matching—perhaps a few Animal Brooches nestled together. It’s a riot of colour and personality that tells the world you aren’t afraid to shine. The beauty of clustering is that there are no rules; it’s all about what brings you joy.

5. The "Statement Button" Brooch: Elevating Your Collar

For a look that feels very "Old Money" and incredibly polished, try pinning a brooch right at the top button of a button-down shirt.

This mimics the look of a traditional cravat or a pussy-bow blouse but with a modern, jewelled edge. It frames your face beautifully and adds a "boss-queen" energy to your work wardrobe.

For a romantic, soft look, I've used our vintage brooch in pearl and hematite for this. The gentle shimmer of pearls adds a romantic feel to the shirt, perhaps softening the boss-queen energy a little.

If you’re a lover of the outdoors, an Insect Brooch or a colourful bird from our Animal Brooches collection adds a whimsical, kind-hearted touch to this structured look.

Why the Brooch Aesthetic is More Than Just Fashion

At QueenMee, we often talk about "Dopamine Dressing"—the idea that what we wear can actually lift our spirits. There is something so special about the weight of a beautiful brooch; it’s a small reminder to stand a little taller and sparkle a little brighter.

Whether you’re choosing a piece from our Vintage Brooches to connect with the glamour of the past, or a quirky piece from our Insect Brooches to show off your playful side, remember: you aren’t just wearing an accessory. You’re wearing your confidence.

I would love to see how you’re styling your Brooch Aesthetic! Tag me on Instagram @QueenMee_Accessories or send me an email—it always gives my day such a wonderful boost to see you shining.

With love and sparkle,

Amanda X