What do Ironman and the Hulk have in common, besides being Marvel superheroes? The actors for both characters, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo respectively, were among the myriad men adorned with brooches for Hollywood’s most prestigious galas, a trend that is expected to continue growing into next year.
Vikings Wore Brooches
While it may seem that men wearing brooches is something new, historically it’s not. Men have been wearing brooches since the Greeks and Romans who used brooches to hold togas together and Vikings who used them to hold their cloaks in place. For centuries men have been decorated with medals and badges that pinned to their attire showing status and wealth. Brooches were worn equally well by both men and women, but today it seems that this jewel relegated to the back of granny’s jewelry box since the latter half of the twentieth century, is destined once again to be fabulously fashionable.
How Men Started Wearing Brooches
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when, or how, it happened, but a few years ago men began showing up on the red carpet wearing brooches. Billy Porter was an early adopter, pairing the jewel with the elaborate evening wear that he wore. But it seems that 2024 has been the year of the man brooch with the likes of Cillian Murphy, who was wearing a brooch while accepting his Oscar for Oppenheimer, Ke Huy Quan, Tatanka Means, Timothy Chalamet and Colman Domingo all donning brooches alongside a parade of other men in brooches at formal events.
Motifs range from elaborate florals to abstract designs and whimsical creatures. One thing is for sure, brooches have kicked men’s fashion into high gear. The fade-into-the-background suit has been uplifted into the perfect canvas for showcasing a brooch and has most certainly added visual interest and altered the image of the staid suit. The look is far more elevated than a suit and tie, no matter how well tailored the suit.
Styling a Brooch
While men mostly wear brooches on their jacket lapel, with or without a tie, there are other novel ways of wearing your pin. Take a cue from Colman Domingo who wore a brooch attached to the knot of his bow tie, or take a tip from Simu Liu and wear a brooch as a side closure for a jacket. Brooches were used to customize and enrich an outfit, taking a suit out of its “uniform” mode and making it more of a personal style statement. Make no mistake these brooches being worn on red carpets are stunning examples of jewelry from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chaumet and Boucheron, dazzling with diamonds and delighting with colored gemstones making for a far more sophisticated accessory than your basic necktie or bowtie.
Vintage Brooches are Trending
Brooches were a mainstay in the jewelry boxes of both men and women from the 1600s until sometime during the 1960s. That’s because after the 1960s brooches fell out of favor as clothing styles became more casual and fabrics became lighter weight and easily damaged by the pin closure, leading jewelry designers and manufacturers to turn their attention to other items. Brooches were a popular jewelry item for centuries, so it makes sense that there are many antique and vintage pins available. From Victorian florals to the glamorous geometry of Art Deco design, there’s a brooch style for everyone, so be daring and have fun finding the one that’s right for you.
Top of Page: Art Deco diamond, emerald, natural pearl and platinum brooch, courtesy JS Fearnley (@jsfearnley).
Authored by Amber Michelle