Hey grandma, brooches are back!
Is 2009 the year of the .... brooch?!?
Lucky magazine's editor in chief has declared it so. The brooch is back in a big way. Trend setters from SJP, left, and glam girls Claudia Schiffer and Chloë Sevigny to the new first lady have inspired me to go rooting through grandma's dusty jewelry boxes.
Normally, I'm not a girl who swoons for chunky accessories. I'd rather buy a real gold bracelet to wear for years over a dozen cheap bangles sure to look crappy in months.
But I totally dig the brooch look. It's so classy, yet fresh and fun. And what better way to jazz up my wardrobe staples? Especially at a time when forking out major bucks on the latest, greatest color for spring just seems frivolous.
The trick lies in not wearing brooches just like Grandma did -- a staid circle, just above the breast. Stick a funky brooch on the strap of a thick tank. Pin one on the waist line of your skirt. Flaunt some faux glitter on your prim-and-proper cardigan.
The best part of this trend: It comes in every price range. For $49, you can sparkle in Banana Republic's star brooch, left. Or spend $7.80 on a wave-shaped jeweled pin from Forever 21, right. Vintage and thrift stores are also treasure troves of oldies but goodies.
And don't forget Grandma. She'll be glad you called.
~ Deal Diva Letitia
(Photos: Getty Images, Banana Republic, Forever 21)
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or 
Since she was a little girl Nicole Hutcheson dreamed of dressing like a Vogue cover girl. But her reality was more JCPenney catalog. The fact only honed her better ability to find luxury for less. Always on the hunt for markdowns on designer labels, this Deal Diva’s weaknesses are good jeans and killer heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8828 or 
Colleen Jenkins learned two invaluable shopping tenets from her mom: 1. Buy quality. 2. Get it on sale. Then she added one of her own: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! This Deal Diva’s idea of a blissful Saturday includes a trip to the Ellenton outlet mall. She loves mixing classic with trendy and cheap Target accessories with her markdown Banana Republic duds. She can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
I'm kinda scared of them too. I like the idea, but it reminds me of my '80s jean jacket that I rocked out with rhinestone pins in the shapes of dogs. A Scottie and a poodle, to be exact. Not pretty.
Posted by: Deal Diva Colleen | January 12, 2009 at 04:16 PM
They're adorable, but not something I feel I could pull off. I think you have to be petite and adorable to wear them without looking dowdy.
Posted by: illiterategirl | January 12, 2009 at 01:56 PM