As we head into fall, and temperatures drop, it’s time to put on a nice cozy hoodie as you run out the door. If you’re meeting a friend for brunch, drinks or dinner that’s casual, but not too casual, you may want to wear a hoodie that you’ve bejeweled with a vintage brooch that adds automatic personality and a little glam.
On the Shoulder
Hoodies have ample fabric so you can wear bigger brooches because there is enough cloth so the pin will stay in place without falling forward. If you’re feeling frisky try wearing a sculptural brooch on your shoulder. It’s easy placement. Find the center of the shoulder on the hoodie, which is usually a seam, then clasp the brooch there. It will sit well and make a great statement. Animal brooches are an especially nice way to embellish a shoulder.
On the Arm
The top of the arm of a hoodie is another great placement for a brooch. There are a couple of ways of wearing brooches on the arm. You can go with one large statement brooch (see top of page), or you may prefer to wear multiple brooches. If you’re wearing multiple brooches, they’ll look best if they all have something in common, such as the same color of gemstone, or metal, or a theme such as florals, animals or geometric shapes. If you’re using vintage brooches, you may want them to all be from the same era. You may also want to have one larger brooch and some smaller ones, it’s really up to you and how creative you want to be.
When wearing multiple brooches you can choose various ways to place the brooches. It’s usually a good idea to place your hoodie on a flat surface and then position them as you like before pinning them on. You may want to wear the brooches in a straight vertical line, or horizontal line, you may choose to zig-zag them, or even wear them in a triangular formation. When you’re wearing more than one brooch at a time, they will look best if you use an odd number.
Zipper Brooch
Wearing a preloved brooch on your hoodie zipper pull is sure to get you lots of compliments. For this placement you will need a zipper pull with a hole at the end and a smaller sized brooch. Simply slip the pin on the brooch through the hole and clasp. Sometimes hoodies will have a small piece of fabric attached to the zipper pull. You can remove it if you want to, or tuck the fabric gently behind the brooch and attach the brooch to it. This may take a couple of minutes of prep, so make sure you leave enough time to attach the brooch. Also, when you pull the zipper, do not pull the brooch, use the zipper pull.
Classic Placement
There are days when you may be in a hurry and you just need to get out the door, in that case a classic brooch placement on the front of the hoodie by the shoulder will always look effortlessly chic. It’s a confident statement that has a casual “just threw it on and walked out the door” feeling.
However you choose to wear your brooch, or brooches, with a hoodie, it will automatically elevate your look, getting you ready for your next fun night on the town, or afternoon get together with family or friends.
Top of Page: Diamond, opal, tourmaline, coral, lapis, 18-karat gold and enamel bird brooch.
Emerald, 18-karat gold and enamel tiger brooch, signed David Webb, circa 1970s; Diamond, rubellite tourmaline and platinum brooch; Diamond, Victorian ruby and silver-topped gold interlocking loop brooch; Art Deco Diamond, ruby and platinum brooch, circa 1925; Diamond, pearl, turquoise and 18-karat gold brooch; Mother-of-pearl, jadeite and 18-karat gold flower brooch, signed Tiffany & Co.
Authored by Amber Michelle