Brooches Are Having a Renaissance — And This Is How We Wear Them in 2025

There are certain objects that carry memory.

For me, the brooch is one of them.

I remember watching my mother pin hers onto coats and dresses — not every day, but on days that mattered. There was ceremony in the gesture. A pause. A decision. And even then, before I had language for fashion, I understood that a brooch wasn’t just decoration — it was intention.

For years, brooches lived quietly in jewellery boxes, remembered fondly but rarely worn. They were seen as formal, nostalgic, or reserved for another generation. But fashion has a way of circling back — and in 2025, the brooch has returned, not as an accessory of the past, but as one of the most expressive tools of modern dressing.

Welcome to the new era of the brooch.

A Brief History of the Brooch — From Function to Identity

Brooches are among the oldest forms of adornment, dating back thousands of years. Long before zips and buttons, they were worn to fasten garments — crafted from bone, metal, and stone. Practical, yes, but never without beauty.

Photo courtesy Getty Images

As centuries passed, brooches evolved into symbols of status, craftsmanship, and storytelling. In Byzantine and Renaissance Europe, they became richly decorated with gemstones, enamel, and pearls. During the Victorian era, they carried sentiment and meaning — love, mourning, allegiance.

Royal women, artists, diplomats, and icons all used brooches as quiet communicators. A single pin could say more than words ever could.

That power never disappeared — it simply waited.

Why Brooches Matter Again in 2025

Photo courtesy of Gucci 2023

Fashion today is less about rules and more about self-definition.

We are moving away from disposable trends and toward pieces that feel personal, adaptable, and meaningful. Accessories that aren’t locked into one outfit or one season — but evolve with us.

Brooches answer that call perfectly.

They don’t dictate how you should dress — they respond to how you want to feel.

In 2025, we’re seeing a return to considered dressing:

• Individuality over uniformity

• Expression over perfection

• Emotion over excess

A brooch transforms even the simplest outfit — not by overpowering it, but by anchoring it with intention.

The Modern Brooch: Less Formal, More Freedom

Photos courtesy Getty Images / Byrdie

Today’s brooch is not precious in the old sense. It’s playful. Bold. Sometimes imperfect. Often unexpected.

You’ll see them:

• Pinned asymmetrically on blazers

• Worn low on knitwear or linen shirts

• Layered in pairs or trios

• Fastening scarves, shawls, and wraps

• Adorning bags, belts, hats — even denim

There is no “correct” placement anymore — and that’s the beauty of it.

At Broochella, we design brooches to move with you. To be restyled endlessly. To belong to your life, not just your wardrobe.

How to Style Brooches in 2025

If you’re new to brooches — or returning to them after years — here are a few modern ways to wear them now:

1. Elevate the Everyday

Pin a statement brooch onto a white tee, a linen shirt, or a simple knit. It instantly shifts the mood — from basic to intentional.

2. Rethink Placement

photo courtesy Hello!

Forget lapels only. Try the shoulder seam, the waist of a dress, the collarbone, or even the back of a garment.

3. Use Them Functionally

Brooches are brilliant fasteners. Secure a scarf, close a wrap, gather fabric, or define shape without tailoring.

4. Mix Old with New

Pair vintage-inspired brooches with modern silhouettes. Tailoring, denim, minimal dresses — contrast is what makes the look feel current.

5. Wear Them Your Way

One brooch can feel powerful. Several can feel playful. There is no formula — just instinct.

Brooches as Personal Signatures

What makes brooches truly special is that they don’t shout — they speak quietly, but with confidence.

They become part of your signature.
Something people remember.
Something that feels unmistakably you.

In a world where fashion can feel fast and impersonal, brooches invite us to slow down. To choose pieces that hold meaning. To dress with intention rather than urgency.

That’s why they’re not just back — they’re here to stay.

Building Your Brooch Wardrobe

Start with one.
Let it live with you.
Style it differently each time.

Over time, your collection grows — not because you need more, but because each piece marks a moment, a feeling, a chapter.

At Broochella, every brooch is designed to be worn, lived in, and loved — not archived.

Because the most beautiful accessory you can wear in 2025 isn’t a trend.

It’s your story.