In Praise Of Brooches

"BUT . . . I DON'T REALLY WEAR BROOCHES!"

Clockwise: unknown; Shark Alley Toucan brooch, Leaf brooches by Odile Gova /Woolly Fabulous on Flickr; Art Nouveau brooch; Joan Holloway from Mad Men; Shark Alley Brighton Cat brooch; Chickadee brooch by StudioLiscious on Etsy; Fox brooch by Beauty Spot on Etsy; Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, Swedish silversmith

Clockwise: Fox brooch by Little Nemo on Flickr; Shark Alley Puffin brooches; VOGUE cover; unknown from Instagram via Pinterest; Elizabeth Taylor; Shark Alley Bird brooches; 1920's style; jewelled mouse brooch; Egyptian scarab brooch

This is something I hear a lot when people browse the Shark Alley stall (which is full of brooches).  "But brooches are so versatile!" I say.  Take a step outside the box and consider the different ways you can display your beautiful brooch art in your wardrobe gallery.


A BIT ON THE SIDE

L-R: Lea Stein via Susan Caplan on asos; Shark Alley Indigo Batik Bird Brooch; the Duchess of Cambridge

I think of this as the 'traditional' way of wearing a brooch.  I tend to favour the right hand side.  How about you?


ON YER 'EAD

Clockwise: Shark Alley Toucan brooch;  Iris Apfel collection ethnic brooch from 'Rare Bird Of Fashion' by Eric Boman; 1920's style; Shark Alley resin Fox brooch

I love a brooch on a hat!  It's out of the way, won't catch on anything and, like a good pair of earrings, sets off your face too.


SCARF ACE

Clockwise: Shark Alley Puffin brooch; Shark Alley Owl brooch; Lea Stein Cat brooch; Sarah Jessica Parker

Another favourite.  Love the SJP take on it -  a brooch fastening a slender tie-like scarf.


IT'S NECK AND NECK

Clockwise: Shark Alley squirrel brooch; Blake Lively; Shark alley resin Hare brooch; turquoise brooch from the Iris Apfel collection (see credit above)

Give the brooch the same focus as a necklace and wear it centrally at the neckline.  You could also pin one to a length of velvet ribbon and wear it as a choker.


ON THE DOWN-LOW

L-R: from shabbychicks.blogspot.com ; from the Iris Apfel collection (see credit above); unknown via Pinterest

I must confess, I'd never thought of this one! Love it.

ALL TOGETHER NOW

L-R: unknown via Pinterest; Shark Alley brooches; from Marie Claire via Pinterest

As a big fan of more is more, I can really get behind this look.  The group of brooches around the collar is a really lovely idea.


FREESTYLING

L-R: Unknown via Pinterest; brooch on turn-ups from modernkiddo.com

And why not?


I hope this inspires you to experiment!  I feel like going to my brooch drawer and having a good old root around, as well as maybe raiding the Shark Alley brooch stash.  I love designing brooches because they can be just about the shape without having to worry about attaching hooks or chains to them and where to do it.  They make great gifts too. Choosing jewellery for someone else is often tricky as it is such a personal thing, but brooches are are slightly more detached from the wearer than, say, earrings or necklaces, which I think makes them a really safe bet.

 
There's also a great blog post on similar theme for more ideas here.

Browse the Shark Alley collection of brooches here and here.