dinn magazine: Brooches

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Fashion Fridays - Short & Sassy Wedding Dress

In honor of the addition of dresses to The Left Bank Jewelry's Line, I give you "Fashion Fridays." Each Friday this month will feature a different dress from the Fancy New York line and the perfect accessories to go with it. Each dress in the Fancy line was created by a design team of the fashionable Nato brothers with a passion for dressing your "Sunday Best". Their vintage inspired dresses come short or long, are made to measure and available in a variety of colors.

Our first Fashion Friday Dress, Meet April. This strapless dress with bubble skirt, in silk Mikado, is a modern take on a 60's favorite. The origami bow and bubble shape skirt create a slimming effect. This is the perfect dress for accessorizing. Add a chunky statement necklace and bracelet, or opt for large deco inspired earrings and a stunning brooch!

Some pieces we like...

Add a gorgeous statement necklace that mixes pearls and crystals for a retro meets modern twist. This plain dress can use a little pop from a great piece like this Haute Bride Five Medallion Necklace, price available upon request. Check out some other fabulous bib necklaces here and other gorgeous statement necklaces here.

Add an oversized round brooch to the center of April's origami inspired bow for an extra dose of sparkle. Vintage Inspired Brooch, $68.

The perfect bracelet? Something chunky and edgy keeps you from feeling too "girly." Or mix it up with a cluster of bangles or glam bracelets. Check out more of our favorite chunky crystal bracelets here. Shown above, Carrie Bracelet, $129.

A short dress definitely needs a short veil. Try a French or Russian Tulle birdcage or opt for something made of traditional tulle, either way, a petite veil that just covers the eyes is perfectly chic. We love the Leila Bridcage Veil by Brideshead Revisited, $300. Comes complete with extra soft tulle and a gorgeous flower.

Finish off the dress by pairing shoes with a platform heel for an extra long leg line. We love that these ballroom dance inspired shoes come with an ankle strap or optional ribbon laces. Each pair features over 1000 hand applied Swarovski crystals on the heel. Angela Nuran Starletta Glitz, $675.

Love the look? Contact The Left Bank today to schedule your personal dress fitting or to order any of these pretty pieces. Where to Buy.

Happy Royal Wedding Day!

Good Morning, Royal Wedding Watchers.
Looking for something to do during the commercial breaks while waiting to see William and Catherine's Big Day? Check out these royally inspired blog posts...all with a nod to the royal wedding and feeling like a princess of your wedding day. So make yourself a something blue cocktail, check out our posts, and watch the nuptials.

Royal Wedding Accessories...Our Ideas for Kate

Princess Catherine Wedding Shoe

Princess Diana Blue Wedding Accessories

And make sure to check back later to see some Princess Catherine inspired bridal accessories based on her wedding gown and headpiece! Happy Royal Wedding Watching!

Brooches for Wedding Dresses

Vintage Inspired Brooch, $89 shown on the Linda Dress by Fancy

Brooches have become a popular way to adorn your bridal look. These little sparkling pins have grown from a practical and necessary way to keep clothing together to a stunning, classic way to accent a multitude of wedding day accessories. Pin them in your hair, adorn your bridal bouquet, or as a meaningful gift your bridesmaids. One of the most popular ways to wear a brooch on your wedding day continues to be as an accent to a simple wedding dress. We love this look!

Here are our top five tips to pick out the perfect brooch to accent your bridal gown.

1. Size Matters. Make sure the brooch size matches the area you're planning to put it. Looking to pin one in the center of a bow or sash? The brooch should just reach the edges or completely cover them.

2. Shape it up. The shape of your brooch is as important as the size. Look to the rest of the dress for hints. If the whole dress is structured and geometric, an asymmetrical leaf brooch may look out of place. Aiming to pin something in the center of a bow? Make sure the brooch is round. Sashes usually also need a structured shape like a square, rectangle, or round.

3. Look at the details. Keep all the other dress details in mind when shopping for a brooch. If your dress has all crystal details and no pearls, a completely pearl brooch might look out of place.

4. Consider Customization. A hairpiece can easily be sewn onto a sash or pearls can be wired into that all crystal brooch. Found vintage earrings you love? Add them into an existing brooch or connect them. Two petite brooches can also be a stunning look. Think outside the box for a completely unique look.

5. Placement is Key. Looking for a sophisticated, classic look? A symmetrical brooch in the center of your gown will do the trick. Try placing your brooch in a asymmetrical position for a more contemporary feel.

No matter how or where you wear it, a wedding dress brooch is sure to be beautiful. Shop a small selection online now! A brooch is also a perfect piece of jewelry to lend another bride as her something borrowed.

Need help tying that sash before you put your brooch on it? Check out our step by step guide here.

Princess Diana Blue Wedding Accessories

Everyone is buzzing about the upcoming royal wedding, us included! We love speculating about what the dress, accessories, and cake will look like, and we know one thing for sure, we LOVE the deep sapphire blue of Kate's vintage Sapphire engagement ring from Princess Diana. Do you love it too? Here are some pieces that will help you add a little bit of Princess Diana Blue into your wedding look. There's never been a more fashionable time for "something blue." Above, a gorgeous and huge Swarovski crystal cuff designed by Haute Bride. Montana Cuff, price upon request.

Custom created, one of a kind, Alexa Bracelet, $129.

Daisy Drop Earrings, $46.

Lily Brooch, $46.

Parisienne Chandelier, $129.

Brooches - History & Tips

The bejeweled brooch was an accessory that arose from a practical need to attach clothing in the same way we now rely on buttons or snaps. During the Roman Empire they were used to secure tunics and cloaks, and in the Bronze Age they were encrusted with gemstones. Scandinavian women often used them to secure their traditional pinafores. During the Victorian era, women enclosed pieces of human hair and engraved inscriptions to memorialize a loved one. Queen Victoria's love of jewelry helped inspire a wealth of designs from wreaths to insects. During the roaring 1920s, the fashion world had its way with what the French call a "broche." a skewer, or long needle.

The vintage inspired Stunning Baguette Brooch, $88, and it's new petite version, $48

Fortunately, brooches are still fashionable and wearable. Here are our top five ways for wearing brooches today.

1. Add a designer touch to a simple shoe by having two petite brooches converted into shoe clips.

2. Wear one as a hair adornment. Ask your hair stylist to pin it in firmly or let us convert it into a hair comb for you.

3. A stunning brooch accenting a waist sash is still strong and a look we love.

4. An heirloom brooch is always special placed on your bouquet as a loving reminder of who it belonged to. If you don't have an heirloom, a butterfly, bee or dragonfly brooch will add a playful and colorful accent.

5. Add a brooch on a simple handbag or clutch. It will add a touch of sparkle for a completely chic look...even if no one notices, you'll know it's there.

Circular Bridal Brooches

A brooch is a perfect accent to any bridal ensemble. With tons of ways to wear them, the possibilities are endless. Get some ideas here. Here are some of our newest and favorite round brooches. A totally versatile shape that will look perfect during, and even after, the wedding! Above, one of our most popular designs, the Ribbon Twist Brooch, $68. Also available with pearls for $88, 2" in diameter.

Casique, $56
2 1/8" in diameter

Arrah, $88
2" in diameter, limited quantity available.

Pinwheel, $88

2.5" in diameter

Pemberly, $68

2" in diameter

Where to Buy

Popularity of Brooches

Big Brooches

5 Ways to Wear a Brooch

Sparkly French Gifts

Perfect favors and gifts for your next French themed fete!

Eiffel Tower Crystal Key Chain, $16

Eiffel Tower Necklaces by La Vie Parisian

Flat Crystal Eiffel Tower, $44 (top left)

Charm Amour Necklace with flat and 3D Eiffel Tower, $48 (bottom right)

Fleur de Lis Mini Brooch, $12

Fleur de Lis Cocktail Ring, $12

Fleur de Lis Keychain Fob, $16

Where to Buy

French Fairytale Wedding

Sister Cities International Festival

Fabulous Hostess Gifts

Matching Bride & Bridesmaid Brooches

This gorgeous vintage inspired brooch has just added a "mini" to its collection! We love the Stunning Baguette Brooch, $88, and it's new small version, $48. How fabulous would it be to gift your bridesmaids with matching brooches for their bouquets or dress sashes? The bride wears the larger version and the bridesmaids wear the smaller version.

Large brooch measures 2.5" long by 1.5" wide
Small brooch measures 2" long by 1.25" wide

Where to Buy

Purple Jewelry

One of favorite colors has become a bridal favorite! We're seeing purple on wedding guests, bridesmaids, and even brides. And what better color for brides than one that is often associated with royalty?

Pretty Purple Pieces (Clockwise from top left)
Gail Earrings by Meg Wedding Jewelry, $36
Rectangle Drop Earrings by La Vie Parisian, $48
Crystal Glam Bracelet, $42
Peacock Pearl 3 Strand Bracelet, $48
Feather Fascinator, $68 (limited quantity available)
Lily Brooch, $46
Pave Fleurette Brooch, Large $56 (shown), Small $48.

Love them? Where to Buy.

Greige Jewelry

Meet our favorite color for fall...Greige. Not quite grey, not quite black with hints of amber, greige is perfect color combo for the cool feeling of fall. Here are some of our favorite greige pieces.

La Vie Parisian Vintage Inspired Earrings

Small $42

Large $44

Greige and Black Diamond Over sized Brooch

Haute Bride Glam Cut Earrings

Price upon request

Genenieve Necklace by MEG Wedding Jewelry in Silver Shade, $159

Detachable backdrop can also be worn as a bracelet.

Where to Buy

Written By ~ Kirsten

Something Green

Think Pink - Pink Bridesmaid Jewelry

Purple Wedding Jewelry

Custom Wedding Day Jewelry - Brooches

Every little detail of your wedding day is special. What better way to make your jewelry as beautiful as you are than by having a piece customized just for you. A great way to customize jewelry? Add pearls into a brooch. We custom designed this Ribbon Twist Brooch with dark champagne pearls to match one bride's lovely Vera Wang Gown. The finished piece, above, was so pretty, we made another one just for us in classic ivory (bottom). Stop by our shop and let us custom design almost any piece of jewelry just for you!

Ribbon Twist Brooch, $68

Ribbon Twist Pearl Brooch, $88

Written By ~ Kirsten

Related Posts
Unique Ways to Wear a Brooch
Something Different - Unique Bridal Accessories

Unique Ways to Wear a Brooch

We all love the sparkling allure of a brooch. With a rich history and fun feeling to wear, it's no wonder brides and guests alike want to incorporate brooches in to their wedding day. Here are our seven favorite ways to wear those brooches!

1. On Your Shoes - Create a custom pair of wedding shoes by having two petite brooches converted into shoe clips.

2. In Your Hair - Choose a brooch you love and have in converted into a hair piece, or simply have your stylist pin it into your hairdo.

3. On Your Bouquet - Gift each of your girls, and yourself, with a beautiful brooch to pin on their wedding bouquet. Or opt for chic initialed bouquet picks.

4. On Your Waist - Adorn a simple wedding dress or sash with a bit of sparkle. Set it in the center for a classic look, or pin it asymmetrically to the side for a more modern feel.

5. With Your Handbag - Dress up your clutch with some chic sparkle. Invest in a classic, simple clutch that you can use long after the wedding and dress it up or down with your collection of brooches.

6. On Your Bridesmaids - Pick a unique brooch for each one of your bridesmaids' matching dresses, or select matching brooches and let them adorn their look anyway they want.

7. With Your Wrap - A great gift for your mother or mother in law, find a brooch that matches their dress color and pin it to a bright pashmina for a custom look that is fun and functional.

Decided you can't live without a brooch for your wedding dress or bridesmaids? Check out a selection available at our shop. There's some online and even more in the store!

Shop the Photo...(Brooches from top left)
Custom Pearl Ribbon Twist ($88), Bouquet ($68), Petite Brooch ($46)
Vanity ($48). Braisser ($88), Petite Colette ($56)
Susan ($209), Pretty Ribbon Bow ($29)

See a brooch you love? Contact us and we'll help you get one.

Written By ~ Kirsten

Lily of the Valley Brooch

Ever wonder when floral themed jewelry became so popular? Like this gorgeous Lily of the Valley brooch above, curvilinear lines and botanical themes in jewelry were very strong from 1895 to 1915. This period of Art Nouveau, or "new art" brought design inspirations and innovations that weren't from any previous art form or period style. It stressed hand created pieces over machine production, which made it expensive and avant garde. The Art Nouveau style and aesthetic remains popular and influential even now.

Wonder about the Lily of the Valley? The flower symbolizes innocence, purity, and abundance. A perfect choice to adorn your wedding day bouquet or dress sash. This beautiful brooch, designed by Sweet Romance, and made in the USA features sweet swinging pearls as blossoms. Another fun fact? In jewelry, movement is described as being "en tremblant."

Lily of the Valley Brooch available at The Left Bank Jewelry for $72.

Written By ~ Kirsten

5 Ways to Wear a Brooch

Why are Brooches so Popular?

Corsage Inspired Bridal Jewelry

New Ideas for Something Blue

On the hunt for your Something Blue? Sure you could go with the traditional ideas of a blue hanky or painting your toe nails blue, but wouldn't it be nice to have a fun piece of blue jewelry you could wear long after you've walked down the aisle? We're always on the quest for blue jewelry! These fresh, fun pieces of blue jewelry (and a handbag too!) will have you excited to don your bridal blue. Above, brooches are the perfect blue touch. Pin one to your wedding dress sash, or on your bouquet made of pretty blue crystals. (Check out our other ideas for using brooches here). Pave brooches starting at $36.