The Return of Brooches and How to Wear Them Without Looking Tacky

For the longest time, brooches sat firmly in the category of things I admired from a distance but never actually wanted to wear. They felt dated in a very specific way. Not vintage-cool dated, but formal-event-from-a-different-era dated. The kind of accessory that lived in jewelry boxes passed down through generations, brought out for special occasions, and immediately made an outfit feel older than it needed to.

So when brooches started popping up again in collections, street style photos, and styling videos, my first reaction was hesitation. Not excitement. Because in theory, I get it. A brooch can add personality, polish, and intention to an outfit. In practice, though, they can very quickly cross into tacky territory. And styling them without looking costume-y is harder than people like to admit.

If there was any doubt left about brooches making a real comeback, it disappeared the moment Miley walked the Grammys 2026 red carpet last night. She showed up in a sharp black Celine suit, clean and minimal on its own, and then elevated the entire look with a bold statement brooch. One piece, perfectly placed, turning classic tailoring into something current, intentional, and fashion-forward. That was the confirmation.

Miley Cyrus in Celine Suit and Massive Brooch to 2026 Grammys

Julia Roberts wears the Fleurs D'Elixir Blossom Brooche

Zendaya's Snake Back Brooch

That said, after watching how designers and stylists are approaching brooches right now, and after experimenting a bit myself, I do think they are back. Just not in the way they used to be. And definitely not without rules.

This is not a blanket endorsement of brooches on everything. It is a breakdown of why they are trending again, what actually works, what still feels off, and how to style them in a way that feels modern instead of nostalgic in the wrong way.

Why Brooches Are Showing Up Again Now

Fashion has been in a phase of rediscovery for a while. Not in a literal archival sense, but in how we reuse and recontextualize things we already own. Accessories have become the easiest place to experiment because they feel lower commitment. You can pin something on, try it for a day, and take it off without rethinking your whole wardrobe.

Brooches fit neatly into that mindset. They allow for individuality without requiring a brand-new outfit. You can change the entire tone of a jacket, sweater, or dress with one detail. And in a time when personal style is valued more than perfectly trend-aligned outfits, that matters.

There is also a reaction happening against disposable fashion moments. Brooches feel intentional. They suggest curation. They slow an outfit down in a way that feels thoughtful rather than lazy. Even when they are playful or bold, they still feel deliberate.

That said, the brooches making a comeback now look very different from the ones most of us associate with the word.

Why I Always Thought Brooches Looked Dated

Part of the problem is placement. For years, brooches were styled in the most predictable spot possible, centered on the chest, perfectly aligned, and treated like a finishing touch instead of a styling choice. That kind of symmetry instantly reads formal and old-fashioned.

The other issue is design. Overly ornate, hyper-shiny, overly literal motifs tend to feel costume-like unless the rest of the outfit is extremely restrained. When everything is trying to be the statement, nothing feels modern.

And finally, there is the issue of context. A brooch on a structured dress at a formal event makes sense. A brooch on a casual outfit can feel confusing if it is not styled with intention.

These are the reasons I stayed away from them for so long. I could never find ones that felt wearable in real life, or figure out how to style them without feeling like I was playing dress-up.

What Changed and Why I’m Reconsidering

The brooches being styled right now are less precious and more experimental. They are not always centered. They are not always symmetrical. They are often placed slightly off, clustered, layered, or used in unexpected ways.

More importantly, they are being paired with everyday pieces. Blazers, denim jackets, knitwear, even outerwear. That contrast is what makes them feel current. Personally, the version of this trend that finally clicked for me was embellishment on jackets. A single pin on a blazer lapel, or multiple small brooches scattered across outerwear, feels much more natural than a perfectly placed brooch on a dress. It reads styled rather than traditional.

How I Would Style Brooches Without Feeling Tacky

The key to modern brooch styling is treating them like part of the outfit, not an accessory added at the end. They should feel integrated, not decorative.

Placement matters more than the brooch itself. Slightly off-center placements feel more relaxed. Pinning closer to the shoulder or along a lapel changes the energy completely. Using brooches to draw attention to structure rather than decoration helps them feel intentional. Texture also plays a big role. Brooches work best when they contrast the fabric they are pinned to. Think matte wool, structured cotton, denim, or heavy knits. That contrast keeps things grounded and avoids the overly formal look.

For me, jackets are the safest and strongest place to start. A tailored blazer with a single, modern brooch on the lapel instantly feels more styled without tipping into costume territory. This works especially well with neutral outfits where the brooch becomes the focal point.

Denim jackets are another option that feels surprisingly wearable. The casual nature of denim balances out the formality of a brooch, making the combination feel intentional instead of stiff.

Knitwear is trickier but can work if the knit is substantial. A fine knit can feel too delicate, while a chunky sweater gives the brooch something to anchor into visually.

I am still cautious about brooches on dresses unless the dress itself is very simple and structured. Anything overly romantic or detailed already risks feeling too much once a brooch is added.

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So are brooches back in style this year? Yes, but not in the way they used to be. They are no longer about formality or tradition. They are about personalization, contrast, and intentional styling.

I still think they are one of the harder accessories to get right, and I do not think everyone needs to jump on this trend. But when done thoughtfully, especially on jackets and outerwear, brooches can feel surprisingly modern.

Love,

Rae