How to wear small brooches

A collection of three bird brooches from the Metropolitan Museum shop. The red, yellow and blue stand out against the bright red dress. Cheery enamel bangles (two to be chosen from the four) are perfect for summer, adding pops of colour and pattern to a solid garment. Simple, elegant gold hoops continue the clean lines of the dress. [Style: Ladylike with a Twist].

If you like a brooch, buy two of them, and place them strategically around the neckline of your dress, as embellishment. In this case, I have chosen two Mawi scarabs. The ribbon and beaded jacket, the feathered clutch, and the spikes (in the cuff bracelet and the earrings), add some texture to the draped dress in olive. [Style: Ladylike with a Twist].

Finally...

Always look at your whole body in a mirror to see the whole effect of your accessories together.


You can follow the label Brooches to get more styling tips, learn about places to find great brooches and more.

How to wear a collection of badges

A collection of pins sends a message about what you think, so reflect on if and when you want that to be on display.  I have selected for this set a collection of vintage pins, which make for unexpected, original accessories. In this case, it's badges (originally for caps) from the American Women's Voluntary Service, the UK's Women's  Land Army, and the Women's Institute from the 1940s or 1950s, bought on eBay.co.uk. The background features two posters to celebrate or encourage the enrollment of women in the effort for WWW2. [Style: Quirky Menswear].

Always look at your whole body in the mirror to see the whole effect of your accessories together.
You can follow the label Brooches to get more styling tips, learn about places to find great brooches and more.

How to wear statement brooches

Statement pieces say a lot about your taste and style sensibility. My advice is to go with your gut: buy that piece that you feel strongly attracted to, you won't regret it. Although it may be expensive (especially if you go for an established current or vintage brand, or you have something done especially for you), if you choose one that is going to make you feel instantly pulled together and that truly represents you, it will be well worth the expense.

Styling tips

A statement brooch should always take centre stage in your outfit, and continuing its colour scheme in it is a good idea. Always look at your whole body image in the mirror to see the whole effect of your accessories together.

Styling tips for brooches: The Beaded Brooch by Caroline Grant. A Susan Pierle brooch in soft blue and warm metallic tones that are echoed in the outfit, complemented by streamlined earrings in soft beige green. Ms. Pierle designs beaded brooches and other accessories from her workshop in Colorado which are both original and carefully handcrafted. You can visit her blog and her Etsy shop if you are interested in her pieces. [Style: Ladylike with a Twist].

L.K. Bennett Selina Dress / L.K. Bennett Selina Jacket / Closet Lace One-button Jacket / Dooney & Bourke Amazon Shopper Handbag / L.K. Bennett Selina Pumps / Kate Spade thin Bow Belt / Alexis Bittar O'Keeffe Matte Gold Earrings / Susan Pierle Beaded Brooch.

How to wear brooches: At the waist by Caroline Grant. A statement brooch pinned at the waist, so additional jewellery is added as earrings, plain gold hoops, and  ring with a single stone in green. The brooch is Mawi's, a specialist in mixing influences and offering striking contrasts in her jewellery. In this case, it's cameos and hard-edged teardrop crystals. [Style: Modern Classic].

Issa Draped Dress / Issey Miyaki Graphic Aztec Print Jacket / Sophie Hulme Double Plate Tote / Jason Wu RTW 2012 Mary Jane Shoes / Mawi Cameo Brooch / Modernist Gold Hoop Earrings (vintage) / Erickson Beamon Bette Davis Eyes Ring / Iman Lipstick in Iman Red.

You can follow the label Brooches to get more styling tips, learn about places to find great brooches and more.