25 ways to wear a brooch

Watching the stars walk the red carpet at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards recently, you couldn't help but notice the bling.  Most interesting were the baubles affixed to the stars' waistlines and shoulders. 

 Here are 25 ways to wear a brooch:

1. Wear it the traditional way, on the upper left of blouse or dress.
2. Add flair to your jacket by pinning a brooch to your lapel.
3. Pin brooch to top of slit in skirt to highlight legs.
4. Attach a brooch to the front of a clutch purse to transform into an evening bag.
5. Wear a brooch at the lowest point of our neckline on a low cut top or dress.
6. Cover a vest with an array of brooches.
7. Pin matching brooches on plain shoes to dress them up.
8. Wear a white shirt buttoned all the way to the top and pin a brooch over the top button.
9. Wrap a scarf around your shoulders and affix with a brooch.
10. Pin a brooch to the front of a plain tote bag, or to top of handle where is rests on your shoulder, to make it more stylish.
11. Use a brooch to hold tote bag shut.
12. Tie a scarf around your hip and pin the brooch on the knot.
13. Pin a brooch on a hat for a bit of glamour.
14. Tie your hair back and wrap with fabric ribbon, then pin a brooch through the ribbon for a beautiful hair accessory.
15. Pin a few matching brooches down the front of a blouse like decorative buttons.
16. Attach a brooch over the buckle of a plain leather or fabric belt.
17. Purchase a headband in your hair color and pin multiple brooches to it.  It will appear as if the jewels are magically floating in your hair.
18. Pin matching brooches to the back of each glove for Hollywood dazzle.
19. Pin identical brooches down the side of the leg of your pants to highlight the length of your legs.
20. Place brooch on fabric wristband and wear it like a jeweled cuff.
21. Attach small brooches to a ribbon and weave into your hairdo.
22. Fasten your cardigan sweater with a large brooch at the slimmest part of your torso for a slimming effect.
23. Feed a chain through the brooch and wear as a pendent.
24. Attach brooch to a thin ring for an instant cocktail ring.
25. Fold a small pleat in back of jacket or dress and affix brooch for a better fit at the waist.

Brooches make a great alternative to buttons and other clasps on jackets and cardigans.  They are also a beautiful solution to keep wrap dresses and tops in place.  Keep one in your purse as an attractive alternative to a safety pin in case of a wardrobe malfunction.