Do you have vintage brooches (aka "pins") sitting in a jewelry box? Even if you don't, they make fun and stylish accessories. Perhaps an older aunt or grandmother has one or two she never wears anymore.
Older rhinestone (glass or crystal faceted "gems") brooches are often more well-made than newer brooches you might find on a fashion or department store website. Instead of the stones being glued in, they are actually held in by prongs--just as real gemstones are held by prongs. Specifically, Weiss is a rhinestone jewelry designer who made gorgeous rhinestone jewelry in the 1950s. The color runs through the stones, giving them a multidimensional appearance. The brooches shown in the jewelry box above are designed by Weiss. You can find Weiss jewelry for sale on ebay, as well as other sites such at the RealReal.
Let's take a look at some new and modern ways to wear rhinestone brooches.
As a Hair Accessory in an Updo
Slide the pin portion (be careful!) of the brooch through your hair as you would a barrette. I had to have someone help me with this because I either poked my scalp (no damage done) or could not get enough hair to fasten the brooch in place. Use a regular bobby pin to secure the pin in place. Place it perpendicular to the pin after fastening the clasp. Some fashion stylists use brooches in updos for red carpet events.
Vintage brooches make beautiful bridal hair accessories. (Photo credit: Swierenga Jewelers)
On a coat--but not the lapel.
Wearing a brooch on the lapel of a coat can look dated. The lapel is where older and elderly women women often wore brooches in the 1950s and early 1960s. Of course, if your overall look is edgy, you could get away with placing a brooch on your lapel for an unexpected twist.
Vintage Weiss brooch on a slash coat pocket. A brooch would also look great on a patch pocket. (Photo: Author)
On a rolled-down wool or cashmere sock with boots.
Weiss brooch adds unexpected fun to rolled down cashmere sock. (Photo: Author)
Add a personal touch to a jean jacket.
Weiss vintage brooches adorn an otherwise plain denim jacket. This jacket does not have the patch pockets all over the front as many jean jackets do. (Photo: Author)
Add glamour to a daytime ponytail.
A jeweled crescent brooch accessories my ponytail. Sections of my hair have been bleached by the sun. (Photo: Author)
Place a small, round brooch a the cuff of a pullover sweater top.
Weiss brooch on cuff of a cashmere sweater top. (Photo: Author)
What will you do with your vintage brooches?
Feature photo of jewelry box holding Weiss brooches: By author
