An ornament that defines one’s personality and style along with a touch of innate elegance and tradition, the brooch is a spectacular piece of accessory. It has traveled through centuries and has been in vogue regardless of time, era, generation. Special gems, stones, metals, and elaborate designs have been experimented with over the last many years. Today various forms of brooches are flaunted by women across the world. Clothes may make a man, but a brooch definitely defines a man’s sense of style. A brooch has gone from a basic accessory to a major style statement and has the power to define a person’s inherent style factor and taste in fashion.
The brooch has been referred to in historical references which date back to the Bronze Age. In archaic times, the brooch was commonly known as the ‘fibula’ and was used as a decorative attachment to keep robes and dresses in one place. These brooches were made out of metals such as copper, bronze, and iron. They were usually heavy in terms of weight and had an intricate design as well. Apart from being widely used in the East, brooches were also adorned by Greek and Roman soldiers and kings in and around 800 A.D. Brooches indicated one’s military status or noble hierarchy, and held great value for people during that era. Roman aristocrats in particular wore ornate and elaborate looking brooches which signified their social status.
In the 18th century, brooches became extensively popular among queens and kings of the Victorian era. Apart from having noble significance, brooches in Europe were a raging fashion accessory and also indicated one’s fine taste in fashion and jewellery. In India, the Mughals were great admirers of this form of jewelry, and they loved accessorizing their sherwanis, long robes, and jackets with brooches. These were nothing less than grand in design and style. Tipu Sultan, known for his fine taste in jewels and precious stones, always wore a handkerchief on his robe, which was attached to his garb with an elaborate brooch. Along with that, many rulers and kings attached sophisticated looking brooches to their headgear which was yet another mark of nobility and prestige.
Present Day Scenario
Vintage fashion has made quite a comeback in the last couple of years, and several jewelries and accessory stores across India craft spectacular brooch pieces in order to keep up with ever increasing demands. Apart from traditional brooches in gold, silver, and copper, one can find contemporary designs which showcase pop art or funky looking shapes. Large brooches are quite in fashion and look great if worn with a shirt, or kurta. Some brooches are meant to be worn on top of a garment, while some come in the form of hair accessories. Most of these brooches have large stones or rubies encased in a cluster of diamonds or pearls. They weigh a lot, but look regal if worn on a sari’s pallu or pinned on top of an ethnically designed jacket or shirt. Brooches have the ability to transform a plain kurta churidar get up, or even a sari or a shirt, into a wholly charming, classy and trendy look.
Brooches are extremely popular the world over, however brooches with Indian designs and artwork take the cake, since they reflect a more regal look that looks dignified and stylish at the same time. Some of the popular Indian motifs used for brooches all around the world include peacocks, flowers, snakes, and large round shapes encrusted in various types of metals such as gold, silver, platinum and copper.
Popular celebrities and fashion icons such as Kate Middleton, Freida Pinto, and Sarah Jessica Parker have been seen wearing brooches on various occasions. This too has set off a trend making brooches a must-have for any woman who wishes to step it up with style.