A few weeks ago I posted about some articles I'd recently read claiming that chandelier earrings were overdone and "out." You let me know that you completely disagreed, and pointed out that they continue to be sold all over the place and people wear them and love them.

Now check out this news article discussing "brooch fatigue":

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/living/10253416.htm

Wow - they sound serious.

As the writer points out, fashion trends usually survive for a couple of years. Brooches only hit it big in late summer, as part of designers' fall collections.

Do you agree that brooches have become "too" popular and will be a very short-lived fad?

Well if you think about it, the 'brooch' thing has been around for a few years thanks to 'Sex and the City' and their flower pins.
Of course, we have real brooches and the flower variety and hybrids of the two in the store at the moment. even the flower pins have clips on them so that they can be placed into hair such as seen at the emmys or whatever awards show it was this fall.
I've found it beneficial to have inherited my grandmothers costume jewelry case of course. But personally I have issues finding the right brooch and placing it correctly. But then again I'm one of those girls who feels naked wih out her signature pendant (my dragonfly =]) around her neck. Then it kills me when I see women commiting over kill. Matching earrings, choker and brooch all on a cowl necked sweater that already had similar crystal accents at the neckline. I had to fight not to say something to the poor woman. But I digress.
I don't think that the brooch fad has died down, if it does peter out by christmas; by then the valentines ones will be out so it will have a second wind if you will.

It's a simple way for anyone to accessorize without trying too hard.

Thats just one girls opinion.
x0x Wendy

I used to wear pins all the time, especially in the late 80's and early 90's. I rarely wear them anymore, just out of preference.

I think people that are into brooches will always stay that way. I think the media might not have a huge focus on it, but people who discovered them during this latest fashion trend and really enjoy them are going to keep wearing them.

Case in point, my own mother. She likes to wear jewelry that is interesting, being an artist herself, but would rather have one bold statement rather than be dripping in glitz as it were. To the best of my knowledge, she has been a regular brooch wearer for about 30 years now.

Whether to pin in the center or off to one side is a decision dilemma that can make the other family members go running. Her fave routine is to come in with two pieces she can't decide between and ask "A or B?" She usually polls all persons in the house, then makes a substitution for the less popular one, then comes back and does a second "A or B?" before finalizing her selection.

I recently inherited a giant rhinestone brooch from my grandmother - which I never saw her wear. (She used to wear pins that were little bugs, for some reason.) So this thing is HUGE, and I would never wear it. I'd like to turn it into some kind of art I can hang on the wall, or something.

I know there are groups of women who have been brooch lovers for a long time, and there's a whole culture of brooch artists who create their own designs by gluing rhinestones and things onto pin backs. They've always sold well on eBay, I believe.

I personally won't wear the flowery, trendy brooches, because I don't feel comfortable wearing them.

First, I think they're too "girly" for me. Second, like the news article discusses, they are currently too "trendy." They're starting to drive me nuts! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What I'd like to see is a little creative variation on the traditional brooch design . . . we'll see what happens.

(Thank you for all your awesome posts!!) <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

First: Chris. Don't you dare touch it! It's an heirloom! If you don't want to wear it tuck it away. You might also want to take it to a jewelry appraisor first. My grandmother left me a silver watch and her engagement rings. It's the daintiest little watch I've ever seen. I'd never (or couldnt) wear it. For the heck I had it appraised. It's worth $1300. You never

Second: When I saw this posting a few days ago. I didn't think much of it. Now, everywhere I look I notice brooches. Especially in our house of parliament. All the women have them. So do our news people. Like Janet, in the 80s & 90s I also wore them and still have them but don't wear them. I don't think they are a fad but a long running jewelry accessory that comes in and out of fashion with the media but is always present.

OK, Moe - I promise not to wreck it! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I agree that brooches have had a steady following for a long, long time. And they're a nice way to spiff up a suit or sweater when you need to dress up and look "presentable." In that regard, they're more of a classic accessory, I think.

I suspect the fad aspect is going to be more related to what teenagers and twenty-somethings are wearing. Brooches have become trendy for the younger crowd, and they haven't been that way for some time, at least in the US.

I also don't think there's any danger of them disappearing from fashion completely.

I am in my late 20's and have worn brooches since I was very young. My mom got me hooked. I think they are great if they are worn right. I will continue to wear them. I am not a person that follows trends anyway. I have noticed that a lot of people are wearing the fake flowers. That is one trend I really don't like.

Personally I love brooches. They add a little somethng extra to your outfit. Its one of those things that comes and goes out of style. I have a feeling it's going to keep reappering for years to come.

There doesn't seem to be a slowdown yet in their availability. While a few folks snub their noses at them as "old news," I suspect many more people will keep buying and wearing them, regardless. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

(Thanks for your post, Sherita!)

I think like any piece of jewelry there is a since of thats old or thats out, but as we have seen pieces like the brooch have been around along time and always seem to make some kind of comeback with new styles and trends. But as of now I say they seem to be doing pretty well.

This is interesting! I've been under the impression that they are seriously on the way "out" as a "hot fashion trend." By that I mean that I'm not seeing the young fashion-forward celebs wearing them much any more.

But I do agree that there are a lot of brooch lovers out there who will always buy and wear brooches. I've met a lot of them! I love when people embrace their own style and don't feel they have to follow what the 20-something actresses in L.A. are wearing, so I definitely applaud that.

I've never been much of a brooch person myself, even during the recent fad - that is, I don't wear them as part of my everyday wardrobe. However I think a vintage or vintage-style brooch can make a nice accent to more formal wear. I especially like the idea of wearing one at the side of a sash or centered right in the middle instead of off to the side. We saw this a lot at the last Academy Awards - we'll see if they appear this year very soon!

(I remember Drew Barrymore wore one on her back. I just couldn't figure out how she could possibly sit back in a chair without hurting herself.)

Chris

I never cared about what is in and what is out. As far as brooches goes I like that but only small ones and I put them on coats (havent done that in years though - the last time i did that i lost it). I mostly like angels and logos of my idols and teams.

That's me too -- could care less about what's in or out. I did notice though that brooches have become very collectible if you collect the vintage ones.