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I love jewelry; I love how easy it is to take a basic jeans-and-tee outfit and dress it up with the right pieces. But it is also easy to fall into a rut with your jewelry. Ever notice how every time you get dressed up, you put on the same earrings and necklace?
Next time you go somewhere, try something different. Try adding a pin. You heard me! PIN. Brooch. Something sparkly and shiny and exotic.
It’s easy.
Instead of buttoning your cardigan, wrap it and pin at the waist. This works best with cardis that are not particularly fitted to begin with. Pull one side of the placket across your waist and pin inside with a small safety pin; pull the other side of the placket to the other hip and pin, outside, with a sparkly brooch. Or pin both sides with wee safety pins and put the brooch at the V where they cross, in the middle.
Pull a full sweater together in the back, to create a small pleat, and pin. This works best with cardigans (button up the front and then pin in the back) but it can also work for a pullover. You may want to pin the sweater BEFORE you put it on, to be sure everything is straight (or have someone you trust pin it for you). And be sure to choose a pin with a secure closure — you don’t want to lean back in a meeting and stab yourself in the back.
Replace the top button on your suit jacket with a funky pin. Not permanently, of course — button the top button, and then cover it with a pin that is slightly larger than the button. Perfect for those days where you have to roll right into an after-work function and you want to add a little something to your suit.
Add a pin to a long necklace, like a pendant, or loop a long necklace around and pin the strands together. Stick with lighter pins for this, so that you don’t throw the line of the necklace off. Or consider wrapping a long string of beads and then pinning them to one shoulder of your sweater or tee, for a little more sophisticated look.
Scatter three or four pins across the neckline of a dress. Choose a variety of sizes (not too big, though, or too small). Stick with one design style (all Deco) in various colors, or one color in various styles, or mix and match similar tones, or … the choices are endless. Don’t line them up symmetrically, though — spread them out across one shoulder or around the neckline.
Finally, mix it up — wear antique pins with modern pieces, and contemporary shapes with classics. Keep the rest of your jewelery to a minimum, and let the pin be the focus. And have fun! Accessories are a simple way to express your personality and make an outfit all yours.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:51 am
I love these ideas - but I have the problem of not being able to find any cool pins - where are they?! I think JCrew and Banana Republic should add some to their lines. But I haven’t been able to find any at Nordstrom or Macy’s, either.
April 9th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
haha were you in my head this morning when i put on the same earings i wear EVERY DAY and sighed a little as i looked at the selection and decided i really didnt like the choices… maybe i could add pins, but they kind of scare me. i think i need to start with like sparkly earings or something.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Great ideas! I never thought to wrap and pin my cardigan… going to try that tomorrow!
April 9th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I am going to be a nag — can we see some photos or example of pins that you think look good? I always want to wear pins, but need ideas for which:)
April 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I think the best source for pins is the jewelry box of an older lady. My collection is entirely sourced from my grandmothers… and some other people’s grandmothers, I’m not picky.
I’ve worn my pins in a number of the ways you’ve mentioned, and a few more. Several years ago, when the ribbon-as-belt trend was in effect, I used sparkly pins to anchor the ribbon bow at my waistline. I’ve pinned brooches on plain cloth headbands. I’ve adorned a faux-fur evening bag with a monstrously large brooch.
They’re also tremendously useful for anchoring a wandering bra strap… only you have to know that the pin is attached to more than your shirt!
April 9th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Summer, that is BRILLIANT! Where were you when I was pulling this post together?
Photos coming Friday, although I agree with Summer — vintage pins are the best. Shop at antique stores and flea markets and craft shows for cool OOAK pieces, and then put them on EVERYTHING.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
People, Grandma’s jewelrybox is just SITTING THERE. OR estate sales, garage sales? I am lucky to have TONS from assorted old ladies in my family.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I find great pins all over the place from H&M to yard sales and recently my great aunts house. I also found some great cocktail rings and behold! bronze pop beads!!! I like to use pins on plain evening dresses to create something more dramatic too.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I was afraid the answer would be vintage! Seems much harder to buy online than new stuff (hard to see if the item is in good condition, etc.), and most of the time,my shopping is done online. It’s the only place open at 10:00 p.m.!
April 11th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
[...] pin is a simple way to change the look of the most basic outfit. Pins or brooches are timeless and classic, but not always easy to find; right now, bangle [...]
April 16th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I love jewellery too. Can’t believe the price of that pin. Amazing. Mind you vintage brooches and pins fetch a fortune on ebay.
I bought some unusual Nick Hubbard Jewellery and he makes some gorgeous brooches.