Can we brooch the subject?

As of late, Mr. Peacock has been adorning his blazers with a brooch or two, ala' 1985. Believe it or not, I'm not even a jewelry person. I don't wear any rings or things, just a humble watch. Let’s face it though, menswear doesn’t really change that much from year to year, like womens apparel. But adding a brooch is a nice refined way to add a little pizazz and personality to your standard male uniform, especially for festive occasions. Dare I say, it can still be masculine too, depending on your selection and how you wear it. A brooch can also look chic pinned onto a hat or even a denim jacket. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration for holiday parties—maybe you can raid you mom or grandmother's jewelry box.

This dark and tarnished brooch I found at a flea market. I’ve always liked crown and key paraphernalia, so when I saw the crown and keys together—I couldn’t pass it up. The patina is very pleasing too. It looks great against tweed.

I don’t remember where I found this inexpensive, little skull and crossbones cameo, but I like it.

I don’t even have to explain why I like this golden peacock beauty. It looks great perched on the lapel of my Harris Tweed blazer.

I call this piece, from the 1950’s, my sparkly-fleur des lis-lady slipper brooch, because the shape reminds me of a fleur des lis and it also kinda looks like a lady slipper bloom. I save this piece for special, celebratory, evening occasions when I wear my black velvet suit. My mother gave me this brooch, about 20 years ago. I would routinely borrow it from her when I went clubbing, until she finally gave in and let me have it—with the prerequisite, “Don’t lose it!” I've lost a few great accessories over the years on some rowdy dance floors.

I had to throw in this wonderful photograph of my mother, JoAnn, because, you guessed it— she's wearing the sparkly-fleur des lies-lady slipper brooch (I checked with my magnifying glass). Before my parents were married, my mother owned a nightclub/lounge, The Matineé, which had live bands and dancing—and she grew mint in the back of the club for her signature mint julep cocktails. I believe this photo was taken one evening in 1960 in the parking lot of the club with an unidentified customer, by an unidentified photographer. Whenever I wear this brooch, I think of my mom posing on the hood of this convertible car—and that makes the brooch even more special to me.

This faux Roman coin medallion brooch was also my mother’s. It’s from the 1960’s and I like wearing it on my corduroy jacket. This brooch has got a bit beat up, but I think it adds more character to the piece.

Continuing the coin theme, I wore this brooch, I found on ebay, to see this amazing performer a few weeks ago. I like the quiet, tinkling sound the small dangling coins make when it moves. I pinned it to a vintage black tuxedo jacket, my friend Roger gave me and wore a Ganesh t-shirt from the Bombay Bazaar, on Valencia Street.

Ages ago, I collected vintage alarm clocks, Big Bens, etc...At some point I started taking the alarm clocks apart and turning the clock-faces into brooches. Somehow this one survived my gypsy lifestyle and I still wear it occasionally. I like the contrast of the whimsical clock-face on something really traditional—like a khaki blazer.

Mr. Peacock saw this jaw-dropping brooch last spring at Vera Wang. It's been etched in my memory ever since. I would wear this piece on a vintage black calvary jacket I have from the turn of the century. The flower petals are made with trimmed feathers that have deep blue and green highlights. The stem, leaves and stamen are made with diamond studded platinum. The real question—do I want to buy a car or a brooch? This unusual goth beauty is a mere $30,000. I guess I'll stick with my collection of vintage brooches. I would hate to lose a $30,000 brooch on some rowdy dance floor.