Jennifer Chang
Fashion Columnist
Seeking a little sparkle for your everyday ensemble? Look no further than this season’s must-have accessory: the brooch. Brooches can be of any variation: funky and fun or elegant and refined, depending on your style. Easy to wear and charming to admire, these gems instantly add glamour and sophistication to an ordinary outfit while packing in maximum style.
Brooches have been around since the time of the Vikings, when Scandinavian women favored them to fasten the shoulder straps of their conservative folk-style dresses. Typically, these accessories boasted intricate interlaced patterns and were oval in shape.
As time passed, brooches found their place in fashion throughout the decades and morphed into elaborate styles of different media. From ivory cameo silhouettes of the 1920s to daring starburst designs of the 1940s, brooches have remained a signature accessory that inherently conveys a timeless sophistication for women of all ages.
Both fashionable and functional, brooches today are commonly bejeweled and ornate, conveying a regal sense of beauty and class to the women wearing them.
As the most popular accessory of the season, brooches can be found practically anywhere. From chic high-end department stores to friendly kiosks in the mall or even at local fairs and trade shows, brooches come in a tantalizing variety of styles and can accommodate any budget.
Neiman Marcus offers a shimmering collection of brooches priced from $75 for a stunning R.J. Graziano antiqued gold burst design to a whopping $445 for a breath-taking Majorica butterfly encrusted in pearls and rhinestones.
Not quite ready to self-indulge at the Neiman Marcus level? Much more reasonably priced brooches (approximately between $15 and $50) of nearly identical designs can be found at stores like Arden B., Rampage, Gap and Nordstrom.
In selecting your brooch, evaluate the ways in which you plan to wear it and what statement you are trying to make. Lady-like floral designs studded with colorful accents are extremely popular right now as are edgier vintage-inspired deco-leaf patterns or classic burst embellishments.
Consider colorful brooches to spice up solid-colored garments, or pile on a few of varying tones for a very Carrie Bradshaw (a la “Sex and The City”) style statement.
Want to invest in a piece that will go with anything? Select brooches decked out in crystal rhinestone detailing and utilize this piece to dress up anything from jeans to a formal dress.
Beyond attaching these eye-catching marvels to your sweater, there are multitudes of other ways to wear the brooch. Slide one around your belt loop to draw attention to your waist, or fasten one to your handbag for a stylish change of pace. Cluster brooches on your outfit for added “bling” or attach one to an elegantly draped pashmina for a posh way to keep warm.
So whether you want to add just a hint of shine to your outfit or desire to glam it up in full force, snag this season’s brooch accessory and make a statement.
11-11-2004
