The Cost-Effective Accessory That Upgrades All Outfits

last updated 7 January 2017

While chokers have become so omnipresent it's weird when outfits don't feature at least one (layering them is now key), and corsages have been staging a decorative comeback thanks to Gucci's popularity, there has been another piece of statement jewellery stepping into the fashion scene: the brooch.

Yes, they're beloved of the Queen and most likely your nan (well, granny is an inspiration this season), but they're also worn on repeat by Alexa Chung and have been adopted by Rihanna, who wore a handful dotted into her red carpet hairdo just this weekend. Lately, we've been hooked on the Instagram account of jewellery collector and designer Emilee Anne, who found 101 ingenious ways to reuse your favourite pins.

So click away to discover the free outfit updates you can do now—so long as you have a brooch or two on hand. But if you don't, simply shop from our favourites in the gallery below.

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718080-1459627373 — 1. Embellish Lace-Up Shoes

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718084-1459627374 — 2. Pop Mini Brooches in Your Hair Like Rihanna

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718082-1459627373 — 3. Decorate a Plain Black Dress

-1718085-1482332482 — 4. Pin in Unexpected Places

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718079-1459627372 — 5. Fasten Onto Party Boots

-1718083-1482332494 — 6. Add a Single Brooch to Your Biker Jacket

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718088-1459627375 — 7. Keep a Fur Stole in Place

-1718087-1482332701 — 8. Go All-Out With a Giant Corsage

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718081-1459627373 — 9. Make Coat Cuffs a Statement

tk-things-you-werent-expecting-to-do-with-your-nans-brooch-collection-1718086-1459627374 — 10. Give a Black Choker Another Dimension

Shop for brooches:

Finery + Gibson Flower Brooch

Finery

Gibson Flower Brooch

Make your workwear tailoring less corporate with a brooch.

Gucci

Web Grosgrain Bow

Fasten a button-down with this for preppy vibes.

Staud

The Papa Shroom Brooches

What's better than one mushroom brooch? Three!

Uterque

Fish Brooch

This looks like an antique, don't you think?

Topshop + Rhinestone Arrow Brooch

Topshop

Rhinestone Arrow Brooch

Very Dolly Parton.

Balenciaga

Swarovski Pearl Brooch

So chic on a lapel.

Mango

Flower Brooch

This is the perfect partner to a cashmere sweater.Looking for more savvy updates? Then check out the S/S 17 fashion trends to know now.

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. She joined in 2015 when she launched the UK sister site following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine as fashion news and features editor. With experience in print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 18 years of experience as a journalist, editor and content strategist. Her opinion has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com and she is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.