Brooch the Subject

THE SUBJECT BRINGING BACK THE BROOCH From enamels to gemstones, crystals to metals, brooches are decadent designs that can be adhered to nearly everything you own and can instantly transform your look. Clasp one onto your winter coat or add a cluster of them to a handbag. There are countless styles to choose from this season, but don’t be fooled, brooches can break your break!

ABOVE RIGHT// Dimensional Translucent Trembler Flower Brooch, $68, verabattemarco.com

RIGHT// Long chatelain brooch made of two cabochon stone brooches in plexi and multi-strand metal chains with faceted glass pearls, Chanel Spring/Summer 2009 Collection BELOW// Get thel look - ASOS Vintage Style Elaborate Jewelled Flower Brooch With Hanging Chains, $20.40, asos.com

Chatelaines were once worn by housekeepers in the 19th century and serve dual purposes – first, for aesthetic and second, for function.

The original Chatelaines had two separate pins held together by a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain was mounted with a useful household item such as scissors, thimble, watch, key, and more.

Now, this style serves more as decoration but have charms that represent those household items. This is my favorite style of brooch right now and I received my first Chatelaine from my wonderful future mother-in-law this winter.

NEAR RIGHT// Tuleste Market Arrow Chain Pin, $50, shopbop.com // FAR RIGHT// Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth & James, $195 bloomingdales.com BELOW// Thomas Pink Crystal Bow Brooch, $149, thomaspink.com

& ARROWS There’s something modern and a bit edgy about arrow brooches and at the same time, I love the feminine contrast of bow brooches. Expect these to be two popular styles moving into spring 2010.

RIGHT// Anthropologie Frozen Facets Brooch in three different colors, $28, anthropologie.com

LIGHT

In 2009, a new, vintage apparel and accessory boutique opened in Chicago called Sofia Vintage. Sofia is home to a carefully-curated mix of brooches that have been selected by the owners, sister duo Ashley and TK Zisook. Last month, I found two crystal brooches there that are quite unique and look brilliant together. In this case, I felt that two brooches were better than one.

HEAVY

RIGHT// Cara Accessories ‘Selective Maja’ Pin, $50, nordstrom.com

It was love at first sight with these two gold brooches.

The top one looks like a door knocker while the other looks like a charm bracelet – it totally cracked me up.

Who doesn’t love heavy metal?

ENAMEL

LEFT & BELOW// Vintage Lisner Enamel Brooch Dimensional Figural Flower, $48, verabattemarco.com

Enamels tend to be the hardest brooches to find and more expensive than crystal ones. The best way to find them is to scour eBay and vintage stores for the best deals and options. I was so enamored with enamel brooches that my mother-in-law gathered about 600+ of them for me to use for my wedding bouquets. I can’t wait to see the result!