Let's address it directly. Most of us grew up associating brooches with our grandmothers, pinned neatly onto a Sunday-best coat or a cardigan, or sitting in a little dish on the dressing table alongside pieces we never quite understood the appeal of at the time. So it's fair enough if your first reaction to "brooch" is a slightly raised eyebrow.
But the way brooches are worn now has almost nothing to do with that image, and it's worth seeing the difference rather than dismissing the whole category based on an old memory.
Forget The Lapel, Think Everywhere Else
The classic image of a brooch pinned squarely in the middle of a blazer lapel is just one way to wear it, and, honestly, probably the least interesting option. Pin it to the strap of a bag instead, clip it onto a beanie, use it to hold a scarf in place at your shoulder, or scatter two or three smaller ones across a plain jumper. None of that reads as "your nan's Sunday coat"; it reads as considered and a little unexpected.
They Work Brilliantly On Things That Aren't Formal Wear
A brooch on denim is a genuinely brilliant combination. The contrast between something quite fine and something quite casual makes both look more interesting. The same goes for pinning one onto a plain T-shirt or clipping it to the collar of an oversized coat. It's the mismatch that makes it feel current rather than dated.
Choose Modern Shapes, Not Just Traditional Ones
A lot of what makes older brooches feel dated is simply the design itself, with ornate florals and heavy vintage settings. Modern brooches lean towards cleaner shapes, more abstract designs, or simple geometric forms, which read completely differently, even though the concept, a pin-shaped piece of jewellery, is the same.
Start Small If You're Not Convinced Yet
If you're still not sure brooches are for you, there's no need to dive straight in with a large statement piece. A small, simple brooch pinned somewhere unexpected, like the strap of your bag, is a low-commitment way to test the waters before deciding whether you're a full convert.
Visit us at Azzallure and see a few styled the modern way. We reckon it'll change your mind faster than you'd expect.