Brooch – A Functional Accessory

A brooch, to many this is an old piece of jewelry we associate with our grandmother, remembering her wearing them on special occasions. It is, however, a piece that outdates any generation among us today. The original brooch piece was used as a necessity to hold clothing together. Worn by men and women it was used for functionality and can be dated back as far as the 2nd millennium BC.

The instrument first used as a brooch to fasten cloaks and other clothing was merely a rod or a long pin. During the bronze age, a pin fastener equipped with a rod and hook was invented. This new feature soon sparked the idea of decorating the brooch to show wealth and class out of an already essential clothing accessory. At this time the brooch began to transform out of its utilitarian use into a piece of jewelry.

The Celts took the idea of decorating the brooch to a new level with their extravagant designs. The Tara Brooch is one of the most elaborate they ever created. In 1850, one was found and is now displayed in the National Museum of Ireland. What can be considered as one of the oldest pieces of jewelry, a brooch is a piece we can all relate back to our ancestry. For this reason, I believe they always have been and will never lose their relevance to the jewelry/fashion industry.

Through history, even the 20th century, we see women adorning themselves with brooches. Sometimes called pins, the words are for the most part interchangeable, a brooch being an elaborate/larger form of a pin. Now they’re slowly making their way back, being displayed on the runway by top fashion designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen and Prada. It actually makes me wonder how these pieces were ever pushed to the side. Their versatility makes them perfect for enhancing any outfit.

Brooches can be worn under the shoulder, on one hip on a jump suit, on the lapel of a jacket. In the hair or on a hat, on a choker, clutch, bag, jeans, shoes, as a pendant, the possibilities are endless.