Trend Watch: One Brooch, Two Brooch, Six Brooch, a Dozen

Brooches and earrings are my two favorite types of jewelry. I love wearing more than one (or more than one pair) of either. I sometimes wear three small antique pins on a denim jacket. More than one person has commented on the contrast between the ultra-casual fabric and the formal nature of the classic jewelry styles. Sometimes multiple small brooches can have as much, but more subtle, visual impact, as one large, over the top brooch. (Though 10 is far from subtle!) And what a great chance to enjoy our favorite jewelry more often.

Thank you, Joan, for your great pun and comment, or should I say oh-pin-ion. As to how many brooches is too many, I suppose it's mostly a matter of attitude. There's no doubt that wearing a large number of brooches makes a statement. The style may not be to everyone's taste, but it certainly will get the wearer noticed.

Thank you, Callye, for your comments. I agree that brooches have added immeasurably to the chic style of women over the decades, and how marvelous that you remember your grandmother's stylishness as including brooches. You raise an interesting point about wearing larger numbers of brooches in odd numbers. I would have gone that route myself, and was surprised that the magazine used even numbers. The one exception to the general rule of wearing an odd number, in my opinion, is that wearing two brooches can be very chic and just right, when one isn't quite enough and three are a bit too much. I'm especially enamored of the look of wearing two brooches that are an exact match except as to color.

Please see my brooches at www.judithkinghorn.com

Good article, glad you "brooched" the subject! The right grouping
looks great but women do need to be sensitive to just how many is
too many.

Although some may say brooches come and go, it is my personal
opinion that they are one of the most classic & chic ideas in
jewelry. Many designers continue to re-create amazing pieces that
resemble the ladies who are the epitome of class such as KJL with
Jackie O looks. My grandmother had an extensive collection &
never left the house with out one...or more! Whether they are big
& bold or small & subtle, a brooch can be worn alone or
paired with plenty. But if your want to pile them on, a good rule
of thumb is to do it in odd numbers.