The Brooch Is Back, Darling: Why Men Are Pinning Their Style Stories in 2025
Once relegated to the realm of grandmothers' jewelry boxes, the brooch has made a triumphant return, now gracing the lapels, collars, and even shoes of the fashion-forward. In 2025, this accessory has transcended gender norms, becoming a staple in men's fashion and a symbol of personal expression.
On the personal side, I have been wearing brooches and pins on jacket lapels for years now, but like every other fashion follower, the current trend has really caught my eye. I have been a vintage shopper all my life, searching for those rare finds that fulfill the cravings that connect one to the greater world of fashion, style, and fashion history. I say I love vintage, but this doesn't always mean embracing thrifting and thrift shops. I find it hard to pore through racks of clothes in a thrift store; however, scouring through the cases of jewellery, often pins and brooches, is a delightful pursuit.
BROOCHES: A Historical Resurgence
Historically, brooches were not merely decorative but served functional purposes, such as fastening garments. I still use a brooch to fasten a bow around my neck, affix a scarf or attach another decoration. Historically, brooches evolved into status symbols, often having a family crest or significant symbol. While medals are usually earned for military or public service, brooches are generally a self-proclamation of identity and style. Today, they're experiencing a renaissance, particularly among men who are embracing them as statements of individuality and style.
The Brooch: Red Carpet Renaissance
The red carpet has become a showcase for this trend. At the 2024 Oscars, Cillian Murphy adorned his Versace tuxedo with a custom gem brooch by Sauvereign, adding a touch of glitz to his ensemble . Robert Downey Jr. opted for an Elsa Peretti-designed Amapola Tiffany & Co. brooch, while Teo Yoo paid homage to his late pet with a Cartier tortoise brooch. And of course a personal fashion idol Coleman Domingo sported a Chanel high jewelry brooch.
While brooches and pins have been worn by men historically , think of Oscar Wilde with a lovely brooch on his cravat, in most of the 20th and 21st centuries brooches were identified as women's fashion. Men's accesories were delegated to watches, cufflinks or a floral boutonniere. However darlings I don't follow any specific gender dictations and adding a bit of glamour with a brooch is open to everyone.
THE BROOCH: Street Style and Beyond
The brooch is not just a statement for the red carpet; it has also found its way into fashion looks on the runway. Designers like Miu Miu and Tory Burch have showcased creative brooch placements in their Fall 2025 collections, suggesting modern and playful approaches—pinning brooches on tank tops, T-shirts, cuffs, or even shoes.
Brooches are a fashion vehicle that allows individuals to tell their stories and express their personalities through what they choose to wear. Whether a brooch is a vintage find or a contemporary piece, it can serve as a conversation starter and a reflection of one's identity.
THE BROOCH: A Personal Touch
I'm rarely one for following trends. While brooches are currently on trend, incorporating them is about embracing self-expression. A brooch may be a way of telling your own style story. Adding a personal touch, like a brooch, may also be a source of confidence, a reflection of values, or an added design detail. Sometimes, it truly is about the aesthetics.
In my fashion journey, brooches are a way of showing who I am. In my style, I embrace details like a brooch to elevate the ordinary and give a sense of intrigue and finesse. Whether it's about making a bold statement or adding a subtle accent, a brooch can complete a look and convey a narrative without uttering a word. I have found that details and noteworthy accessories are always sources of conversation and are often what people comment on about my look. You can tell your fashion story without uttering a word.
IN CONCLUSION
Embracing the Brooch
Fashion advice is worth little if it doesn't consider the story of who you are. The resurgence of the brooch as a man's or even a woman's accessory is about embracing self-expression through dressing. It is about challenging traditional fashion norms and redefining masculinity and gender in dressing.
Style is about nothing if it's not about self-expression. Therefore, consider adding that brooch, whether a subtle pin or an over-the-top statement piece. Let it tell your story, reflect your personality, and elevate your style.
CIAO FOR NOW, J. ANDREW JACKSON
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