Creative Ways to Wear a Brooch

01

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How to Wear a Brooch

You can always wear a brooch on your shoulder -- that's the traditional way to wear a pin. Truthfully, it's often one of the best spots for placement. But your shoulder certainly isn't the only option for a brooch.

How about your waist, or on a hat, or at your chin? There are lots of fun and creative ways to wear your favorite brooch. Breeze through our photos for thirteen ideas.

02

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Wear the Brooch Against Your Back

Wear a brooch on the back of your neck — Photo of Nicole Kidman by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman often wears jewelry in creative ways. At this event, she wore a black and white brooch between the back straps of her gown.

03

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Make the Brooch a Focal Point

Emilie de Ravin

Emilie de Ravin's oversize brooch flows perfectly with the front lines of her gown.

04

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Wear a Quirky Brooch Near Your Hemline

Wear a brooch by your hem — Photo of Fearne Cotton by Jo Hale/Getty Images

Fearne Cotton

I'm not sure if Fearne Cotton was trying to make a statement with this oversized crab brooch, but it was certainly noticeable against her black dress.

05

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Secure a Scarf with a Brooch

Wearing a brooch with a scarf — Photo of Katherine Heigl by Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl keeps her brooch placement traditional, using the decorative pin to secure a colorful scarf.

06

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Create a Choker with a Brooch

Make a DIY choker with a brooch — Photo of Sarah Jessica Parker by Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker wears choker jewelry quite often, and for this night out she used a brooch to create an asymmetrical choker from a length of cloth.

More SJP Chokers

Sarah Jessica Parker in Triple-Strand Diamond Choker

07

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Wear a Brooch in Your Hair

Gwen Stefani

It's easy to turn unused earrings and brooches into hair clips.

08

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Wear a Brooch on the Bodice of Your Dress or Gown

Wear a brooch in the bodice of a gown — Photo of Mischa Barton by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton placed a brooch at the center of her strapless gown's bodice, adding subdued sparkle (and accentuating her cleavage).

09

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Wear a Large Brooch Front & Center

Large brooch on center of neck — Photo of Blake Lively by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Blake Lively

Maybe the event influenced the huge brooch in Blake Lively. A large fly crawling up her neck seems appropriate for Spike TV's Scream.

10

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Pin a Brooch at Your Waist

Use a brooch on the waist of a gown — Photo of Sunny Sweeney by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Sunny Sweeney

Brooches pinned along the side of the waist have been a popular trend lately, like this large pearl example on Sunny Sweeney.

11

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Pin a Brooch at the Front of Your Beret

How to wear a brooch on a hat — Photo of Carmen Electra by Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra's black beret has a circular diamond brooch pinned to its front.

12

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Go with a Vintage Hat and Brooch, circa 1925

I could see this 1925 look repeated by today's women without looking dated. The hat might not be exactly right, but our current retro looks aren't terribly different.

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The Traditional Look

How to wear a brooch — Photo of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Princess Elizabeth

Sometimes simple and classic is the way to go. Princess Elizabeth in 1948, at the christening of her son, Prince Charles, sporting a ribbon brooch that we sometimes see her wear today now that she's Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Princess Elizabeth's 1947 Wedding Day Jewelry and Fashions

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Secure a High-Collared Blouse with a Fussy Brooch

Securing a high-collared shirt with a brooch is always an option, but you might want to lose the bow tie.

Brooches are more versatile than you'd think. Next time you're looking to vamp up your wardrobe with some bling, a brooch might be the perfect accessory.

Edited by: Lauren Thomann