Monday How-To: New Ways to Wear an Old Brooch, Part I

Like most vintage lovers, I'm a magpie when it comes to old scarves and pins. I pick them up (usually for pennies) with the best of intentions, but when it comes to actually wearing them . . . not so good.

Part of the problem is that I'm reluctant to mar the fabric of a blouse or jacket with pinholes. And scarves all on their own can look frumpy.

So, how to get these vintage accessories out there to be admired, rather than decorating the inside of a drawer?

One answer is to bring brooches and scarves together to make fabulous chokers, pendants, or other neck-centered ornaments.

Here's how.

1) Take one good sized brooch--a 50s paste starburst, a cameo, a bakelite scottie--whatever--my choice is this marvelous old enamel flower.



2) Add one narrow silk scarf whose colors and pattern complement the pin.

3) Loop the ends through the securely-closed pin and knot a couple times to anchor the brooch to the scarf.

4) Figure out how you want to arrange it on your neck. Tie it high and loop the scarf a few times around your neck for a choker effect. Let it hang lower as a pendant. Re-knot the ends of the scarf behind the pin so that they hang attractively below.

5) Experiment. There's no right or wrong way to do this, as long as the scarf and pin stay where you want them and work with the lines of the garments around them (here, my trusty $5 boyfriend jacket). Have fun!! You will not believe the compliments you'll get.