Brooches: The Jewelry Trend to Instantly Elevate Your Look – 20 Ideas to Shop Now (Updated March 2026)

Brooches first started popping up in the runway in Spring 2025, but mid-2026 they’re still going strong. For various reasons, they are often overlooked – perhaps their association with the older generation or the notion that they are only for formal occasions. There is absolutely no need to be bound by these ideas when it comes to brooches: there are so many different styles and also many different ways to wear them – while at Copenhagen Fashion Week I used a brooch to secure the waist of a skirt that was a bit too big for me, and it became the focal point of a monochrome outfit.

Brooches – Great for Versatility and Style

The great thing about brooches is that they instantly elevate any outfit, giving a polished finishing touch to whatever you’re wearing. Try pinning a brooch to a blazer or jacket, onto a scarf wrapped round your neck, or even onto a bag to get into the bag charms trend. You could also pin one to the side of your trousers or skirt like I did, or use it to hold fabric into place to create a gathered effect. A brooch is often enough to add to an outfit, without the need to worry about adding a necklace and earrings too – just let the brooch shine on its own as the statement jewelry piece.

Brooches – Did You Know?

Brooches are one of the oldest forms of jewelry with a history stretching back thousands of years. Their original purpose was functional: fasting cloaks, shawls, and other garments before buttons and zips existed. Eventually they evolved into ornamental accessories.

Among the most notable styles are the Celtic and Viking penannular brooches which were ring-shaped with a long pin; these were used as everyday fabric fasteners. In the Medieval and Renaissance era, brooches became more elaborate, often using gemstones and displaying family crests or religious imagery. Sentimental brooches rose in popularity in the Victorian era, including mourning brooches that contained a lock of hair from a loved one. This period also saw the rise of cameo brooches created from shell or stone. Art Nouveau brooches from the late 19th Century to the early 20th Century featured flowing, organic forms, while Art Deco pieces from the 1920s and 30s used bold geometric designs.

Brooches as a fashion piece have had several moments of fashionability: in the 1980s, bold and oversized pieces were on trend, while in the mid-to-late 2010s, they saw a slight resurgence as part of a retro trend, which can be attributed to Alessandro Michele’s Gucci and also to the steampunk subculture.

With that in mind, here are 20 pieces to choose from.

Note: This article contains affiliate links. The Fashion Fold may earn commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Brooches – 20 Shopping Ideas