How to Wear a Brooch: 7 Elegant Styling Tips

It’s official – vintage styles are back in a big way, and that includes a fan-favorite accessory: the brooch. Of course, the brooch never really went away. It’s been here all along and has remained a classic piece that can elevate any look. However, it’s now returned to center stage as a trending piece in both runway and everyday fashion! You can once again easily spot brooches on models, worn on the red carpet and in street style, proving that the brooch is taking on new life in 2025. Of course, although we don’t rely too heavily on trends at My Chic Obsession, they do give us an excuse to spotlight a timeless piece and show how many ways you can incorporate it into your own elegant style! Keep reading for more about how to wear a brooch and seamlessly integrate it into your favorite looks.

1. Pinned on Your Scarf

Sarah Jessica Parker has been a long-time fan of the brooch. She’s worn brooches and floral pins both on and off-screen, and has seamlessly integrated them into her favorite looks. If you’re looking to get inspired when it comes to how to wear a brooch, searching for her iconic outfits on the red carpet or while playing Carrie Bradshaw is a great place to start!

If you want to emulate SJP’s elegant red carpet look, use your brooch to clasp your foulard or twilly. These are long, thin rectangular scarves, often made of silk. You could go for an avant-garde look like Sara does above with the scarf half thrown over your shoulder, or go for a more traditional look with the brooch pinned at the base of your neck. This look would also work with a square scarf shape in cotton fabric.

However you choose to wear it, the brooch will instantly elevate your favorite French girl scarf and add an elegant touch to your look.

2. Worn on Your Pieces of Jewelry

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Of course, this isn’t the first time that brooches have been trending as chic fashion accessories! We have to go back to the Victorian Era (1837-1901) for arguably the first instance of when brooches were used for more stylish purposes rather than solely as fasteners. The more elaborate, the better.

In the 20th century, brooches were also a statement piece and a popular choice to elevate everyday fashion. This classic piece made its way into well-known cinema as well, including films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) and Casablanca (1942).

Audrey Hepburn‘s character, Holly Golightly, used a large brooch as an ornate clasp on her strings of pearls in the opening credits of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The placement of the brooch almost makes it appear like a piece of the necklace itself. If you’re looking for a more subtle way to incorporate vintage brooches into your outfit, recreate this look with a layered stack of necklaces. It adds the perfect amount of flair and visual interest to your favorite jewelry.

3. On Your Blouse

Princess Kate has adopted the brooch as a key part of her own style, in a similar way to Queen Elizabeth II. The Princess of Wales often uses her choice of brooch to complement the significance of the event that she’s attending, many times in a royal capacity. Fashion serves a purpose, and this is the perfect example of that in action!

Because Princess Kate often leans towards simple, classic silhouettes when it comes to her outfits, her brooch becomes a focal point. One of her favorite ways to wear it is in the traditional sense, over her heart on the left side of her clothing.

4. To Clasp Your Coat or Blazer

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This season’s runway shows, specifically designers like Carolina Herrera, had fun incorporating brooches as timeless accessories into their vintage-inspired looks. These versatile accessories were used to add a touch of elegance to the tailored looks coming down the runway, like the striped number above.

This year’s shows also proved there’s no one correct way to style a brooch. On the look above, the large floral brooch replaced a belt by clasping the jacket closed at the waist. This gave the piece added structure and highlighted the hourglass shape of the piece’s construction.

Style a brooch in a similar way at home. Use it to close your blazer, coat, or wrap dress. Just make sure to avoid delicate fabric if you’re styling heavy brooches; this could end up tearing holes in your pieces if they have too much weight. If you’re working with thin fabric, go for a lighter, smaller brooch instead.

5. On the Lapel of Your Jacket

A floral pin or brooch was a popular statement accessory worn by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City (SATC), and remains a staple piece today in its sequel series, And Just Like That. In season three of SATC, following a big breakup, Carrie started wearing large, floral brooches. They soon became a part of her signature look and symbolized new beginnings and hope. The popularity of her style on the show translated into the brooch having a resurgence in popular culture and style.

Add a pop of color to any garment by pinning a brooch to your blazer’s lapel. Don’t be afraid to go big and bold like Carrie does! This will be an instant conversation-starter and a fun way to brighten up your favorite neutral looks.

Want more ideas about how to wear a floral brooch like this? Try pinning it to your updo. This hairstyle showcases your hair accessory in a fun way for a unique look.

6. As Alternatives to Cufflinks

Smaller brooches can also make great alternatives to cufflinks. If you want a more feminine take on the classic suiting staple, try dressing up your cuffed shirts with an ornate brooch. This is a great way to add personality to your staple wardrobe pieces, like a white button-down shirt, and incorporate some vintage flair. Once again, this can act as a great conversation starter if you’re heading to a big event!

7. On Your Shirt or Sweater Collar

Add some jewels to your sweater or shirt collar to instantly make your look more interesting. The metallic colors of a gold, silver, or diamond brooch give great contrast to a soft shirt or sweater. Highlight your neckline by adding your brooch to a wool turtleneck. Or, pin it to the collar of a soft cotton sweater. You can use this styling tip to instantly elevate your favorite classy casual outfits.

Why Brooches are Back

The fashion world is currently spotlighting vintage-inspired, elegant looks. Brooches naturally fit within the polished, elevated outfits that are coming down the runways and entering everyday street style! I love it when classic styles are trending because it gives us an excuse to take them out of our closets and have fun styling them in new ways. There are so many options when it comes to how to wear a brooch, so you’ll never get bored with this elegant accessory!

Want more ideas about how to wear a brooch? We’ve got you covered! Up Next: 7 Chic Ways to Wear a Brooch (That Aren’t Old-Fashioned)

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