ONCE SEEN AS TRITE AND OLD- FASHIONED, ONE OF THE EARLIEST KNOWN PIECES OF PERSONAL ADORNMENT, THE BROOCH, HAS BEEN QUIETLY STAGING A FASHION REVIVAL.

Not only a creative expression of personal taste, the brooch is unique in that it attaches to clothing and not a body part. Place one on a hat, center to your collarbone, at the waist or even attached to a shoe—imagination is key.

Lady Gaga sure knew the power of a brooch when she wore her seven-and- a-half-inch gilded brass dove to this year’s presidential inauguration. The huge Schiaparelli dove of peace holding an olive branch sent a positive message to the nation and put the brooch back in the spotlight. But throughout history, many have understood its power. Among its biggest champions is undoubtedly the Queen of England, and while she never expresses her political opinions it is thought she gives voice to her true feelings through her many trademark pieces.

Solidifying its place in current fashion, brooches cropped up across collections. Versace went for jewel-encrusted starfish, a large gilded heart showed at French brand Patou and gold lock pins could be seen hanging from clothing at Schiaparelli. Of course, fashion houses such as Chanel and Saint Laurent have a long history of recognizable iconic branded brooches, which plays well into this season’s trend for logoed jewelry.

One of the most interesting details in men’s fashion right now is the addition of traditionally feminine jewels. When Harry Styles wore a custom pearl necklace by Eliou, designers took note and pivoted their collections to be more gender fluid. Several male celebrities have resonantly added pins to their lapels giving the jewel a modern edge, such as Trevor Noah who wore a dazzling Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Apollo brooch at the GRAMMYs.

Time and again, brooches have proven its ability to add meaning to an outfit, cementing itself as a stealth wardrobe weapon. This once dusty jewelry trend just switched to becoming one of our greatest treasures.

Kim Smith has been a professional wardrobe stylist in Honolulu since 2004. Born a true Londoner, Smith had a successful career in public relations in the fashion industry in London for more than eight years before moving to Hawai‘i in 2002. Smith’s work spans a vast array of magazines, retailers and television as well as working with individual clients on their specific style needs. See her work at kimsmithstyle.com.