What is a Brooch? A Guide to Styling this Timeless Accessory

Is a Brooch and a Pin the same thing?

Yes - brooches and pins they are closely related, and many people use the word interchangeably. 

If you are British like me you probably use the word "brooch" (it is so often misspelled as "broach" but that means something completely different!).

If however you from are across the pond in the USA you may well say to your friend "that's such a pretty pin you're wearing" when you are referring to a large pearl piece on their lapel.

In the UK we tend to use the word pin for specific pins such as hat pins, tie pins, and we use the word brooch for a piece of ornamental jewellery with a pin that usually features decoration such as pearls, crystal, enamel work, gemstones, or other vintage inspired designs. 

When we say "a brooch" in the UK, we often have in our mind's eye Queen Elizabeth II with her statement brooch on her coat. Brooches are pieces of jewellery that beautifully elevate clothing. 

So in essence all brooches are pins, but all not all pins are brooches!

In which era did brooches originate?

Brooches have a rich and fascinating history! They were first worn as far back as the Bronze Age when they were used to fasten cloaks. However at this stage in history they were purely functional rather than decorative (looking rather like large safety pins). They tended to be made from bronze or iron.

Their transformation into decorative pieces happened in Greek and Roman times, when they were still cloak fasteners, but were decorated with semi-precious stones and sometimes enamel work. At this point in history they were called Fibula.

The British Museum holds fascinating examples of early enamel brooches - dating back to British Roman times AD43. These were "dragonesque" taking the shape of a curved, dragon-like animal. They were designed with large, curved pins to hold thick pieces of cloth, and were decorated with enamel in intricate patterns. 

Have brooches been popular throughout history?

Throughout the ages, brooches have been incredibly popular, becoming symbols of status and sentiment. 

Brooches developed into jewellery - with the emphasis on ornamentation higher than function - in the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods. 

Brooches continued to evolve throughout history, with different eras seeing different brooch trends. 

Always popular as a practical item for securing clothing, their allure increased as they became more decorative and symbolic throughout the ages. 

Anglo Saxon brooches for men and women

The British Museum holds beautiful examples of Anglo-Saxon disc brooches, which were worn by both men and women. These are circular brooches of hammered metal, intricately engraved with animal and human motifs (for example depiction of the Five Senses personified).

Oval brooches worn by Vikings in pairs

Vikings were the first to cluster brooches! Vikings brought with them to Britain a trend for wearing a pair of two oval brooches, which were secured prominently on women's clothes, and often featured beads strung between the two brooches. These brooches featured beautiful and intricate openwork, which was an early form of filigree.

Brooches as symbols of spirituality became popular in Medieval times...

In medieval times brooches remained popular, and ring brooches or annular brooches came into vogue. These were again used to secure cloaks and dresses, typically worn by women, and sometimes in pairs with one on each shoulder. 

Annular brooches often had inscriptions related to love or spirituality, and so brooches were developing in their power for conveying a message and meaning. 

Statement brooches came into vogue in Tudor times...

By Tudor times, brooches had evolved to become less about fastening and far more about ornamentation. Men and women of the upper classes wore them, as visible symbols of their wealth and status.

They were an important part of dressing for court, and were set with precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires as a display of opulence and prestige. Pearls were particularly favoured in the era, and brooches could be embellished even further with strings of pearls.

Brooches were pinned to cloaks and clothes, as well as hats and buckles, and they were also pinned in the hair (sometimes along with those strings of pearls).

Queen Elizabeth I was known to be an avid brooch wearer, and set the tone for brooch trends of the time. She favoured large, statement brooches which suited her flamboyant personal style. They often featured symbolic motifs, that further enhanced the message of power. 

Rococo brooches abounded in the Georgian era 

In the early Georgian period women wore brooches influenced by french fashion and the rococo period in art. Bows, flowers and feathers were the designs of choice, and a floral brooch would often be seen pinned at the centre of the decolletage. 

Multi-functional jewellery became popular, and brooches often moonlighted as pendants, so they could be worn in a multitude of ways. 

The move towards neo-classical in the late Georgian era influenced brooch designs, with brooches becoming smaller, and motifs such as laurel wreaths becoming a popular design choice. 

Cameos were popular too, carved from agate, coral or shell. These depicted loved ones, and could even be inlaid with hair from the subject. 

Victorian brooches had sentimental meaning...

The fashion for brooches as symbols of sentiment developed in the Victorian era, when mourning brooches along with lockets increased in popularity. These were often set with a lock of hair as a keepsake.

The Victorians were fascinated by nature and so brooch trends echoed this with a celebration of flora and fauna in brooch designs. Insect brooches such as bees, butterflies and dragonflies and moths all became fashionable. 

1920s Brooches were Art Deco inspired

The striking aesthetic of Art Deco permeated Roaring Twenties brooch designs, with clean lines and geometric shapes in fashion. 

Egyptian-influenced designs such as scarab beetles became popular, along with winged brooches, which also echoed the 1920s fixation with speed, travel and progress. 

During this era brooches were worn on increasingly on hats, as well as on dresses - where they could be strategically placed on the shoulder, hip or to embellish a belt. 

One of my favourite series - Downton Abbey - shows Lady Cora as an American heiress wearing beautiful brooches, and her daughter Lady Mary opts for Art Deco brooch designs. 

1950s brooches were fabulously feminine

Brooches became super fashionable in the 1950s when a very feminine style of dressing prevailed. As costume jewellery became widely available, jewellery celebrated the faux, with a riot of colour and ornamentation. 

Brooches in the 1950s were often worn in clusters and could be seen grouped on the shoulder, or singly on necklines.  

Floral motifs were particularly popular, in bright colours, epitomising the fun and feminine fashion of the era. 

Are brooches old fashioned?

Brooches are a beloved part of many women's jewellery collections. They are associated with history and bygone generations, and when I'm chatting to women at my Pop Up Shops, often my customers will mention that their mother or grandmother passed them down a collection of beautiful brooches. 

Some women then go on to say that they aren't sure how to wear them, or that they don't seem to sit well with modern clothing.

I love letting them know that brooches can add an elevated touch, a focal point, and a talking piece to your outfit - whether that outfit is vintage inspired, or whether it is fresh and modern in feel. 

How do you style brooches?

We may be familiar seeing brooches on dresses, jackets and lapels of coats - this is where they have been commonly worn for decades, and this look is always in style. 

If you are just getting started with brooches, try wearing your brooch on the lapel of a coat or blazer. They fit perfectly here, and will elevate your look in an instant.

To experiment beyond a jacket or blazer, try adding a brooch to the neckline of a dress. as we have in the photo below. It will need to be a dress that's made from a firm fabric, to carry the weight of the brooch.

The styling possibilities are endless with brooches - why not let your creativity loose?

What is a modern way to wear a brooch?

"Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends" according to iconic accessories designer Kate Spade. 

The key to styling brooches in a modern way is to have fun!

Try wearing brooches in unexpected places, like on the cuffs of your sleeves...

Why should I wear a brooch?

There are so many reasons to wear a brooch! Hopefully you're inspired by the styling ideas above, and you can see how brooches can be an expression of your creativity and individuality.

When it comes to bringing joy to your dressing, they are the perfect accessory, and are wonderfully environmentally friendly too. Brooches breathe new life into your wardrobe and refresh an outfit, so that your existing clothes can be worn time and time again.

From personal experience I can vouch for the fact that brooches are a talking point too! When you're wearing a colourful brooch it makes you and others around you smile. Wear a brooch on your favourite hat or coat and wait for the compliments to flow!

I love the fact that brooches are an ice breaker, and I start talking to other women I meet when they compliment me on my brooch. I love wearing brooches on hats and winter headbands in particular (as you can see in the photo below), as this way they are very visible and add a fun and flamboyant touch. 

Brooches are delightfully small to store too, not taking up too much space on your dressing table, and yet adding flair and finesse to so many of your clothes. One day you can pass them on to your own loved ones too, as a memorable keepsake.

Are brooches a good gift?

Brooches make beautifully thoughtful gifts, because they are joyful and yet practical too - being easy to add to the recipient's current wardrobe. 

Why not choose an animal brooch with a significant motif for a friend? If she's a cat lover then she may well adore wearing a feline design on her lapel. Or a friend that is undergoing a transformation might love a butterfly brooch as a symbol of her new self. 

If the recipient prefers more classic designs, then a pearl brooch might be just the piece to add a touch of sparkle to their day. 

Brooches make perfect gifts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, mother's day and Christmas and more!

Why brooches are one of my very favourite accessories...

Brooches are one of my all-time-favourite accessories simply because of the potential they can bring to my clothes.

I love the way they transform a denim jacket from run-of-the-mill to riotously colourful. Here I am wearing a cluster of brooches at my favourite music festival. Boho chic brooch styling!

I can't think of another accessory that's classic, creative, and quirky, all rolled into one.

If you love brooches as much as me, or if you're just getting started with them, I'd absolutely love to hear about your brooch styling adventures!

Comment below, contact me on Insta: @queenmee_accessories or email me amanda@queenmee.com. I'd love to hear from you.

With love and thanks, Amanda X