How to Wear Vintage Brooches (As a Total Newbie)

Brooches are one of those accessories you admire from afar. You think they’re beautiful, maybe even fascinating, but you’re not sure if you’re “that kind of person.”

Here’s the thing: you don’t need to be.

Brooches are fun. They’re personal. And they’re easier to wear than you think.

The best part? You don’t need a new wardrobe, a theme, or even a blazer to make them work. You just need to know where to place them.

12 easy ways to wear a brooch (that don’t involve a blazer lapel)

Sure, the classic blazer lapel pin looks great. It’s timeless, polished, and neat. But it’s not exactly revolutionary.

If that’s the vibe you’re going for, sure…go ahead! But if you want to surprise yourself and shake up your style, try some of these other ideas instead.

Brooch on a blazer lapel

This is as classic as it can get. Looks great when you want to dress up a plain blazer.

With that out of the way, let’s get a bit more creative. You could …

1. Wear your brooch over the collar button

This is a quick way to personalize clothing that everyone in the world owns. You could look elegant, bohemian, or gothic by changing the kind of brooch you wish to wear. It’s a great trick if you have a fluid aesthetic, but an even better one if you love a uniform.

Elegant brooch over the collar button

This is a simple way to make your basic outfit fit for a special occasion.

2. Try pinning them on your collar tips

A pair of dainty brooches at the collar tips acts like delicate jewelry—subtle and refined. Go bigger or bolder, and your outfit instantly gains a quirky, eccentric edge.

Whether you choose matching pairs for balanced symmetry or mix different styles for playful asymmetry, this small detail lets you express everything from quiet elegance to vibrant energy.

Call it collar earrings

This look would be classy if I had worn more subdued, rounded brooches. But I wanted to be dramatic and fun.

Bottom line: brooches may be small, but they pack a big personality.

3. Let the brooch set the mood

Your brooch isn’t just an accessory—it’s a vibe setter. You can change the mood of your outfit by changing the brooch you throw on.

Toss a minimal brooch for a sculptural piece, and suddenly you’re artsy.

Go for a colorful, geometric one, and you’re whimsical and fun.

Your brooch tells your story.

Regal brooches

These antique-inspired brooches give the shirt an adult, serious vibe that a fun tic-tac-toe brooch just wouldn’t

4. Pin it to the cuffs

Fold your sleeves and add a small brooch to the cuff. It keeps the fold in place, adds polish, and shows you know what you’re doing.

Details set you apart

You can always fold your shirt sleeves the usual way—but moments like these are perfect for showing off your attention to detail.

5. Wear your brooch on a belt

Slide a brooch into a belt hole or place it near the buckle for instant waist jewelry. I paired a gold brooch next to a brass buckle and couldn’t stop admiring it.

Add character to a basic belt

This tic-tac-toe brooch perfectly matches the brass buckle on my belt—but it also adds a lighter, playful touch.

6. Pin it to your trouser or jeans leg

This one’s a little wild but works. Use a brooch to cuff jeans or trousers, or clip it near the hem for a fun detail. It’s unexpected but cool.

Change the silhouette of your favorite pants

A cinch here, a cinch there is all you need for a wardrobe refresh

7. Wear your brooch over your jeans pocket

Make your jeans feel more ‘you’ by slipping a brooch near the pocket. It’s a simple, joyful way to add personality and make dressing a little more fun and personal.

Once again, details, baby!

Most people won’t even notice this brooch, but there are things we do solely for ourselves

8. Turn it into a pendant

Slide your brooch onto a chain and voilà—a custom statement necklace. It’s thoughtful, personal, and endlessly wearable.

When your wardrobe feels a little dull, this is the kind of creative twist that brings it back to life.

A paisley brooch on a bold Monet curb chain

The paisley brooch adds a South Asian ethnic vibe to this otherwise western curb chain

9. Wear your brooch over knitwear and coats

Cardigans, shawls, coats—brooches were made for chunky textures. The loose knit lets pins glide through without damage, and the heavier fabric supports the weight effortlessly.

Since most of us rotate the same few outerwear pieces all winter, brooches are a simple way to freshen things up and keep your style feeling new.

So many accessories, yet so soothing

I love how the brooch on my turtleneck, connects the sweater seamlessly to my coat

10. Give your brooches a purpose

Brooches aren’t just pretty—they’re practical. Use them to hold together a wrap dress, secure a scarf, or fasten a blouse neckline. Decorative and useful? Yes, please.

Scarf held in place with the help of a brooch

By pinning the scarf to my shirt, I could wear this look throughout the day without once needing to fix anything

11. Wear them in clusters

Brooch clusters = walking art gallery energy. It’s less about one statement and more about curation. Stick to a color family, mix metals for depth, or lean into joyful chaos—each choice tells a different story. Clusters work beautifully on jackets, coats, bags… even shirts, like I’ve styled here.

Once you get comfortable with brooches, go all out!

Finding ways to mix and match brooches is super fun and can make a standout outfit from really basic clothes.

12. Try something “you could never”

I tried using two long brooches to gather a cotton tee at the front. Not sure I’d do it again—but did I have fun? Absolutely.

Like Iris Apfel said, “When the fun goes out of getting dressed, you might as well be dead.”

Experimenting with different ways to wear your brooch can spark creativity and make you fall in love with pieces you already own.

Throw out any style rule books

Flex your creative muscles and get experimenting

And if you're still unsure whether you should take the plunge, here's a thought:

Brooches aren't just jewelry. They're your way out of the style rut.

You already know the drill—earrings, rings, maybe a necklace when you're feeling fancy. But brooches? They unlock an entire new layer of self-expression.

They let you play. Customize. Break the rules a little.

You can twist a plain tee. Cinch a blazer. Add personality to the corner of your bag. You get to decide where it goes—and how it transforms your outfit.

And the effect? People notice. They ask, “Where’d you get that?”
Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s different. And these days, different is rare.

So... why not just buy a new brooch and call it a day?

You could grab one from a high street brand just to “try the trend.” But here’s the thing:

Not all brooches are created equal. And if you’re going to wear one, it may as well be something special.

Vintage brooches bring a level of detail, quality, and originality that fast fashion just can’t match. Here’s why they’re worth it:

1. They were made to last

Vintage brooches were built with care—solid pins, secure clasps, and quality finishes that still hold up decades later. If they’ve made it this far, they’ll last for you too.

2. They’re rare in all the right ways

Vintage brooches weren’t made to flood shelves, and decades later, only a minute fraction of them are readily available. That makes each vintage piece feel special.

Chances are, you won’t see anyone else wearing yours—and you won’t see 200 of them stocked in your nearest mall. That quiet distinction is what makes vintage jewelry feel personal.

3. They add meaning to your style

Wearing vintage means tapping into history, craftsmanship, and style that have survived decades. It makes even the smallest outfit detail feel intentional.

There’s a quiet power in knowing the piece on your tee or coat lived another life before finding its way to you.

Ready to Try One?

I’ve curated a small selection of vintage brooches for Club Riante. Each piece feels like it was made for someone specific.

Maybe that someone is you. Or maybe not—and that’s okay. You’ll know when the right brooch finds you.

Till then, if you need styling tips or someone to get excited over your next best find, shoot me an email at afifah@clubriante.com. And tell me, what’s your dream brooch?

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