Last year I had planned to start wearing Brooches, but it never happened because I didn’t find any that I absolutely loved. Now that my style moniker has evolved to Casual Urban Glam — and after seeing Katerina’s inspiring brooch thread on the forum — I feel extra motivated to continue the search (I have found one fun one already). I’ve also been looking for inspiration on different ways to wear brooches, and wanted to share what I’ve found with you:

• I am loving the idea of pinning a brooch on a shirt’s cuff! Here’s another example, and one more.
• You could also choose a spot that is a little different than the — still fabulous — classic “lapel placement”: On the lower part of a sweater, on the back of your jacket collar, off-centre in the middle of a jacket.
• For the jewellery minimalists: Clean, sleek lines with one long, thin brooch on a dressy dress or button-down pocket. Even grouping three brooches together can still create a minimal effect if you keep the brooches streamlined and in the same colour or metal.
• How about sporting one or more on the pocket of your jeans if you are tucking in a top? Adding one to cuffed jeans is super cute too.
• They come in handy to keep a scarf or shawl in place, and to keep a cardigan or jacket closed. Or just use them to jazz up a scarf when the mood strikes.
• I’ll definitely be using them to add a touch of je-ne-sais-quoi to turtleneck pullovers.
• They are a great way to add interest to a simple T-shirt.
• Adding them to coats, jackets, blazers, or capes is a timeless way to use this accessory.
• The maximalists among us can have fun with wearing lots at once.
• Pinning them on a little higher than the classic slightly off the bust position feels super fresh as well. As does positioning them smack in the middle of your neckline or right on the shoulder. You could even do a group of them together like here.
• Keep wearing them on hats or shirt collars, or to close the top of a blouse.
• Or why not sport one oversized statement brooch and make that the focal point of your outfit!

Fab Links from Our Members

Shevia didn’t agree with all of her opinions, but thought this interview with Miuccia Prada was very interesting.

Suzanimal enjoyed Bridgette Raes’ take on how to be unapologetically stylish.

This article about why worldwide demand for used clothes is declining caught Rachylou’s attention.

Recently both New Zealand and overseas owned brands have been forced to shut their doors. Jenni NZ found it interesting that one of the reasons given is decreased brand loyalty as she notes she hasn’t shown much either because there is just so much choice nowadays.

Jaileen wanted to share this NY Times article about how design for disabilities is becoming more stylish and attractive:

“It turns out that one out of five adults in the United States has some disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — one out of 20 children. That’s a demographic and economic motivator. But we also know that when people feel better about themselves, medical outcomes improve.”