It's Time to Brooch This Subject 🪲

Pin it to win it.

Jan 13, 2026

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We’ve put a pin in this long enough. Pinterest predicts brooches to trend in 2026 and we’re clasping on.

Call it grandma with a glow-up, call it maximalism with manners, call it whatever you want, but brooches are back baby - and not just for your Nana’s sweater set. Men are accessorizing their fits with vintage pins, brides are tucking them into bouquets and vintage cases are getting cleaned out fast. If your group chat hasn’t debated where and when to pin, it’s coming.

Photo Credit: Instagram: @michaelbjordan

Pinterest’s Brooched forecast tracks the rise of heirloom jewelry, statement accessories and expressive dressing, with searches like “brooch for men suit” (+90%) and “maximalist accessories” (+105%) climbing fast. The pin is no longer precious, it’s personal. “It’s part homage, part reinvention. If your grandma wouldn’t wear it, is it even the vibe?”

To understand this moment, we tapped jewelry royalty Rhett Outten, co-owner of jewelry store Croghan’s Jewel Box in Charleston, SC for the low down. Part of the third generation of Croghan family sisters running the 100-year old jewel box on King Street, Croghan’s was an OG of this glam trend way before the algorithm caught up.

“We have always been BIG fans of the brooch! They are everywhere now, and it is great fun to see them having a moment in fashion,” Outten says. “One quick look at any red carpet has us noticing wonderful brooches on men. The Tiffany re-launch of the iconic Bird on a Rock series has everyone reconsidering the opportunity to pin something fabulous on as they get dressed.”

Here are some of Outten’s tips for the trend:

Red carpets are rewriting the rules.

Brooches on men are no longer a novelty, they’re a power move. Think lapels, ties, even knitwear. Formal, but with personality.

Heirloom energy beats fast fashion.

According to Outten, “We love helping customers build a collection… We love to talk in terms of collecting!” From a simple 9-karat bar pin to layered cameos and bows, the appeal is slow, storied and personal.

Color is back, and it’s loud.

“It all depends on the customer!!” Outten says. “Unusual, dramatic pieces full of color sell well too…think navy blue enamel, coral or turquoise pieces. We are in the south, so we love Color!!”

Styling has left the lapel.

Brooches are popping up on collars, scarves, bags and bouquets. Outten’s current obsession? “My very creative niece… has a new creation called the scarf pin that we are smitten!” He adds, “If you comb through your mother’s jewelry box…these could work the same way.”

Maximalist motifs are winning.

Animals, especially, are leading the pack. “Animals are always popular. We love game birds tucked on the collar of your Barbour jacket for a day in the country,” Outten says. Her recent favorites sound straight out of a Wes Anderson daydream: “a precious aquamarine dog sitting on a carnelian boat complete with platinum and diamond leash and an emerald and diamond umbrella.”

What to look for when buying vintage.

Outten keeps it practical: “Most jewelry should be marked with a maker’s mark if applicable and the gold content. A good estate jeweler can walk you through all of that.” At Croghan’s, every piece is tested, verified and inspected before it ever hits the case.