Brooches are a great way to add a pop of color and are timeless, unique pieces that can elevate your outfit. Subsequently, they have made a huge comeback in 2025. Therefore, this blog post will explore the history of brooches, different types of brooches throughout the eras, and how to style them to help make your outfit unique and personally showcase your sense of style.
Therefore, let’s get started!
History of Brooches:
Brooches are currently enjoying a fashionable revival as accessories, but once upon a time, they were an essential part of a person’s wardrobe. Therefore, going back to 3000 BC, decorative clothing fasteners were used for practical purposes. As a result, brooches began life as functional, utilitarian items used to secure pieces of clothing, such as a loincloth. The first recorded brooches were made of thorns and flint, while pins crafted from metal date back to the Bronze Age.
They were still most commonly worn as a fastener for a scarf or a shawl, which eventually evolved into more elaborate designs worn to accessorise rather than hold together the fashions of the day. These types of brooches were called Fibula. (See photo) 
As time passed, metalworking techniques advanced, and these types of brooches became more intricate in design. Therefore, around 400 BC, Celtic craftsmen started making these brooches more decorative. Furthermore, during the 5th and 6th centuries, they continued to become more elaborate in design and the materials used.
All things considered, as civilization evolved, so did brooches form and function. Men and women also wore them to display their wealth or social status.
Brooches Throughout the Eras:
Mourning Brooches:
These types of brooches memorialize the passing of your loved ones. Some styles of these brooches included details of the deceased’s birthdate, deathdate, name, and possibly a picture of them. This type of brooch became popular during the Victorian era, when an entire nation mourned the loss of Prince Albert. All across the nation, everyone wore brooches with heavy, decadent designs and dark gemstones to express their grief over a member of the royal family.
Aigrette Brooches:
This type of brooch became popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the 19th century. It entailed a design of a brooch that could hold feathers that were used as adornments in your hair or hat.
En tremblant brooches:
It is a French term meaning to tremble and defines a type of brooch, most often a floral spray, where the centre of the flower is attached to a mechanism that allows it to move when worn. To create this effect, jewellers would mount parts on a piece of jewelry on a coiled spring, which would allow the piece to move, giving it more life. As well, this type of design was used on butterfly brooches and returned in style in the 1950s and 1960s when Bulgari produced a series of these brooches.
Grand Tour Brooches:
As stated in the title, these brooches were purchased to commemorate a wealthy European’s trip or vacation. Therefore, in the late 19th century, wealthy Europeans began travelling to Italy and other local places. On their trips, they would purchase Grand Tour Brooches created with a special technique to create depictions of birds, landscapes, and floral bouquets. Therefore, these brooches were stylish souvenirs purchased by the upper class.
Cameo Brooches:
Cameo brooches have stood the test of time and are iconic brooches carved out of Ivory or stone. Depicting Greek legends, mythological scenes, or the profile of an important person. These brooches are associated with the Victorian era, as Queen Victoria wore them as accessories or bestowed them as gifts.
Love Brooches:
These became a popular accessory and were given to soldiers departing for World War I. Emblazoned with a person’s name, and were sentimental pieces that gave men the opportunity to take a piece of home with them. Often made of lightweight metals, and were a romantic way to showcase your love.
In addition here are a few additional links if you are interested in learning more in-depth about the history of brooches, check them out:
10 tips and tricks for using brooches and how they can elevate your outfit
- Cinch your waist
- Secure your shawl
- Pin it to your bag
- Attach to your necklace
- Bunch your brooches
- Clip up your pant bottoms or style on the bottom portion of your pant leg.
- Adorn a hat
- Use as a closure for a shirt or jacket
- Clip-on shoes or necklaces
- On the cuff of your sleeve
In conclusion, check out these YouTube videos, and I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned a little as well.
