So what could you break out, for the approach of autumn?
(I used a variety of background colors, to give you a sense of how different pins will work with your clothing or coat color.)
All of these were available, at prices ranging from coffee money to mortgage down payment, on Ebay as of yesterday. Remember, when searching for brooches, to use both the word brooch AND pin, as well as the ever-irksome BROACH. Sigh…. At least you might find something nobody else saw because of the bad spelling…
Vintage brooch shopping can be a ton of fun – don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled at yard sales, boot sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Make sure that all stones are in place (or that you can live with what’s missing) and that the actual pin mechanism is in working order.
Do you usually wear a brooch on your winter coat or jacket?
Don't own a single one, and I don' think I ever will. But I do remember my grandmother always having one pinned on something. So that's what clouding my opinion. :)
That's an extremely good reason! There are NO absolute requirements for any wardrobe, nor for accessories. I just have a weird sort of brooch-lust…
I actually own that apple pin with the friendly worm poking out! I guess it qualifies as vintage, since I've had it since high school (early '70s). I haven't worn it in years, but can't quite get rid of it!
Me too! How funny. I needed a brooch this summer to close a silk EF kimono jacket, and I couldn't find anything in the stores. I got one online eventually, but I was surprised at how few were available. I guess they need to come back around in fashion again.
Janice, I have a dog pin given to me by my godmother 50 years ago. Your post today inspires me to pin it on my jacket today and think of her! —Susan in SLC
I love brooches. It is nice to see an old favorite – the turkey wearing the pilgrim hat (last grouping, second row, first picture). I bought that one from my local Hallmark store in probably in the late 70"s. I wear it every year at Thanksgiving.
I have a number of brooches, many from my grandmother, and I hardly ever wear them. It isn't that I don't like them, I just never remember to wear them. I may have to change that.
I have soooooo many brooches and wear them all year long! On t-shirts, sweaters, coats and even pin them to necklaces for a different look!!
Some of these are very fun- I'm Canadian so appreciate the maple leaves. I love sparkly rhinestone pins in a cluster on a denim shirt/jacket – and have one that isn't vintage but always gets oohs and ahs. I also have an old pin that my Mom bought me when I was very small- I never wear it but I love to look at it and reminisce about wearing it with my Sunday best on my way to church or the movies with her!
I purchased a brooch a few years ago–it was assembled from a couple of pieces of vintage jewelry (bakelite and clear crystal something). It is square but can be worn on the angle. It really is striking on a plain black dress. Thank you for reminding me about it–I haven't worn it in a long time!
Super fun post. I love brooches and have quite a few. I need to take a look at them and wear some soon!
Believe it or not, when I saw JUST THE HEADING of this post I thought, "Great idea, I must get out my gold maple leaf pin and put it on my brown wool coat." Seriously.
I have also used vintage earrings (the big gaudy stuff from the sixties or the eighties) as brooches. Just snip off the earring clip and glue on a pinning mechanism. These look great in groupings.
Hi Janice, LOVE the leaf pins. I think I will get one – I don't own any brooches now except one scarf pin. Will put it on my coat!
These are so fun! I have a dog pin with a matching dog bone pin. I also have a crescent moon with a chain attatched with dangling stars. They have a straight pin with a slide on button. I also should wear a brooch my grandmother gave me. It is a circle of my birthstones. Thanks for the reminder.
A brooch can be beautiful to look at but it doesn't suit my personal style.
They don't suit everybody. NOTHING suits everybody, and don't let anybody convince you to the contrary. I think it's grand that you know your personal style well enough to know what's NOT going to suit you!
I have several and don't wear them as often as I'd like….
My mother was a brooch fan. As a teacher, she had many seasonal ones.
I do! But I also wear them as "closers" for drapery cardigans. I don't have any that are purely seasonal. But, they're great fun.
What a great idea! I never thought of using my few brooches in that way.
I have quite a few that I have acquired from various sources over the years and never think to wear them. I do sometimes pull out the seasonal ones, but my mission for next week will be to wear at least one of my regular ones.
I have a couple of cameos that stay pinned to my coats all year round. I don't wear the coats often now that I am in the Deep South, but I always get compliments on the pins when I do. Otherwise, I am not much of a fan of the brooch.
Hello! I have a large collection of vintage rhinestone pins that I seldom wear, though I do "admire" them every so often. I have seen great necklaces made, using them as the anchor, and plan to do some soon. Also, I found an Avon Black and White Bow, at a thrift shop, with the pin mechanism broken. I made it into a long necklace, using glass pearls and black beads. I really like it! So, never give up hope on something you love!
I,too, have a large collection of rhinestone pins from my mother. I wore a shoulder full on a black cashmere crew neck to a Christmas party and I have never gotten so many compliments!
Have to get them out, they do get ignored in summer! Don't forget a stopper or bulldog clasp that fits on the pin so if the catch fails you don't lose a it.
Anon@ 3:30, you might enjoy pinning one of your brooches to a shirt or sweater cuff; it's like wearing a bracelet,
I love the idea of brooches and have a few, but am afraid of putting holes in my clothing. I've ended up only using them in button holes, a thick wool coat or around straps. Are there any rules for fabrics not to puncture?
Love pins and brooches (broach?? really?!!!!??). You can put them on your hats, too.
I went through a brooch phase back in the 90's and haven't really worn them since. I do still have them, though.
What's a winter coat? ;) in Tucson
What a gorgeous selection you found! I love the acorns and the apples. I'm all about acorns at the moment because the oak trees are all heaving with nuts now.
I love brooches and pins – they are a staple for me and I wear them on coats, suit jackets, etc at every opporunity. Brooches for more formal outfits, pins for fun. My sister once gave me a set of 3 flying ducks, in different sizes, just like those china/pottery ones that people used to have in formation on their walls (at least, they did in the UKm and it became something of a joke).
I LOVE pins and wear mine often. I also use them as closers for flyaway sweaters and vests. Additionally, I like to cluster them on the breast pocket of a jacket or vest or on the collar ( like so much of the studded stuff we see now…only I use pins. )