How To Wear a Brooch Correctly

by Michael Khordipour July 17, 2017 2 Comments

How To Wear a Brooch Correctly

Brooches, despite being amongst the most beautiful and often intricate designs of all jewelry, are also often the most underrated. They rarely come as any part of a matching set, and so tend to be something of an afterthought when dressing. But, assuming you treasure your brooches (and why wouldn’t you?!), is there a right and wrong way to wear them?

We’ve said it many times before, but it’s worth repeating, that attitudes change faster now than at any time in history, and this includes how, where and when jewelry should be worn. However, although we admire and support innovation, we like the idea of the old traditions being maintained, and think the wearing of a brooch is one of them.

You will see similar articles submit to the opinion that a brooch can be worn on either the left or right side, but this is incorrect. In formal settings, a brooch should only ever be worn over the left breast unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise. Informally, the is a little more relaxed, but there are still limits to how it should be worn, lest the brooch itself be demoted to the status of a basic accessory when it is far more worthy.

The wearing of a brooch on the left is an historic tradition, but it is unclear where this custom originated. Romantics tell us that a brooch is to be given by a lover and is then to be worn over the heart and, whilst we like that explanation, it’s probably more reasonable to think that it was a practical choice based on the clothing being worn.

Back in Roman times, togas were worn predominantly over the left shoulder and under then right arm. Although the method of draping and tying the garment was intended to secure it properly, pins were often used to keep everything in place where it should be. This extended through the ages to shawls and other such clothing, and it is likely that the decorative brooches eventually became standalone jewelry pieces.

Another reason may be that the right hand is traditionally used for greetings, and the eye is automatically drawn to the left side of the other person’s body, so what better place to wear a brooch?

When in more informal settings, a brooch may be seen as a little “dressy”, and so it becomes more acceptable to move the position away from the left side. With a garment that has a button neck, brooches can be worn to cover the button, adding a great deal of style and placing the brooch front and center. Similarly, with an off the shoulder dress, placing the brooch at the bottom of any V that may be present also promotes the brooch significantly.

First and foremost, a brooch should be treated like the precious thing it is, and not like a pin supporting a politician. Tradition aside, if you want further reasons why brooches should be worn on the left, we think if it’s good enough for the Queen and Kate Middleton, it’s probably good enough for the rest of us. And, by the way, the staff in the Magic Kingdom also wear pins on the left, and that’s the happiest place on earth.

Michael Khordipour
Michael Khordipour

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2 Responses

Ashley Kelt
Ashley Kelt

February 08, 2018

I love how the history dates back to the Roman times!

Ashley Kelt
Ashley Kelt

February 08, 2018

I love how the history dates back to the Roman times!

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