Is the brooch, or pin, the unsung hero of the accessory world? Or, is it the frumpy cousin that always seems just a little out of date? Pins, like any other accessory, had their moment in time, but they may have lost a little of their luster along the way.  Brooches, or pins, date from the Bronze Age and were often made of metal. Their primary purpose at that time was to hold clothing together, as well as to differentiate the class of people who wore them from those who didn’t. Today they belong to the realm of costume jewelry and are available to all! I found a few great examples of pins at Goodwill, and I’ll show you some easy ways to add them to your wardrobe without looking like one of the “Golden Girls.”

When in doubt, do what all the cool kids are doing - layer a pin on other accessories for an up-to-date look. 

Try pinning a cameo on a long strand of faux pearls for a 1920s look. 

You can also pin a brooch on a pre-made headband you may already have, and give it a fashion-forward update.

To make a unique bohemian-style choker, take a length of velvet ribbon and simply pin the cameo, or pin, onto the center and tie it behind the neck for a romantic/vintage look.

Pins also work very well at the throat of a button-down blouse or shirt, in lieu of a traditional bolo tie, or bow for a blouse.

All in all, you can’t go wrong having a few of these fashion “game changers” in your jewelry box.  Let your imagination be your guide, and at Goodwill most of the pins and brooches are around $1.99!