For The Boys: Brooch-ing The Subject

Women have baubles, pearls, earrings, necklaces and myriad other adornments. They can accessorize, glam up and dress down any wardrobe, and look great doing it. We men have pants. We have shoes. We have shirts. Nothing flashy, nothing fun; there’re only so many ways to design an oxford. Some men wear hats, watches and scarves, but when all is said and done, it is the same outfit, with not a lot of flair.
Lately, I’ve been wondering about this. Short of wearing costume jewelry a la Coco Chanel, I’ve been trying to devise ways of standing out, albeit subtly. I can’t walk around with a giant watch on my neck (Flavor Flav has cornered the market on this); I don’t want to wear leather bands or bracelets; and I have a huge head, so hats are out of the question. Just recently, though, I stumbled across a solution to my problems: brooches, or pins, for those who associate the item with blue-haired ladies out to tea.
Brooches are small, subtle and a nice statement piece, if worn properly. I myself prefer to wear a gold brooch I found at a thrift store with my favorite cardigans (of course you should have more than one). I find that it is much like a pocket square: schnazzy, sharp and simple. I’m on the hunt for more (particularly large, garish brooches in the shape of odd animals, like giraffes or emus). Though some guys may look at me cockeyed—as they inevitably do—I’ve received good feedback on this fashion choice, enough for my grandmother’s friends to offer me a scone or two.