8 Ways to Wear Vintage Flower Pins

Ooooh lalala I love vintage jewelry! And one of my absolute favorites are vintage enamel flower pins from the 60s. Colorful and bold…girlie but graphic, they are like having a secret little garden in your jewelry box! Just take a look:

I’ve been collecting vintage enamel pins for years and just love the variety I’ve unearthed. The flower pins come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some have stems. Some are multi layered. All are colorful and fun!

Look how beautiful these pins are! I’m also a fan of the sparkly rhinestone ones—especially those in whimsical shapes like starbursts and butterflies

Vintage pins are the perfect way to add a little extra color and oomph to your wardrobe. The classic way to wear a pin or brooch is to wear one in the upper corner of your shirt, cardigan or dress. I love them this way!

While you can definitely wear pins on cardigans and shirts, I wanted to show you some other ways to rock the vintage pin. It’s the perfect way to add a little punch to any outfit!

If you’re not in the mood to wear a bright accessory on your outfit, think about adding a little touch on your coat. The nice thing about this is you can keep it on your coat long time! If your coat is more of a neutral color—like black or grey—this is a GREAT way to give it a little refresh! TIP: If you have longer hair, avoid putting extra pointy flower pins on your collar. Your hair will catch on it like crazy! Trust me…

I’m a maximalist—so one is never enough. Don’t be afraid to pile them on! Two is the perfect number. Three can be fabulous too, but they DO start to get heavy and can wear down the fabric of a more delicate sweater.

Who says your pins have to be at eye level? This is such a sweet and unexpected way to add a little personality to your jeans! I did this one day many years ago on a whim, and I can’t tell you how many people went bonkers for it.

Look cute from head to toe—after you’ve tackled your cuff, why not add a fun pin to your hatband? It works on any kind of hat (floppy sunhat! cozy ski cap!) but I love the incongruous look of a masculine fedora with a quirky flower.

I bought this simple fabric tote at Old Navy years ago. While I loved the houndstooth, it looked a little plain, soooooo I added some a handful of my favorite pins to liven it up. If you have a tote with wider straps, try adding it to the base of the strap, so its visible as it hangs from your shoulder.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but I find that most people always wear their pins like a corsage. Try wearing it smack dab in the center of a dress—or even at the waist band!

Scarves can be slippery little suckers. A sweet pin guarantees your scarf stays in place. It’s also a fun alternative to a necklace. I’m using flower pins in this story, but a rhinestone pin would be just as fabulous! BONUS— wrap the scarf around your head and add a sweet little pin.

Mmm hmm. On your shoes. And why not?? Thread the pin through the knot of your bow and VOILA! Insta-update on your tired old kicks.

So there you have it. Pins, pins pins aplenty! Cheerful, sweet and super easy peasy to style! Are you feeling a little pinspired?? I sure hope so!

{Psst! One word of caution. If you are a mama, the pins with separate petals can get a little pokey when you go in for a cuddle, or so Wolfie tells me. “OW! Mama. Your flower poked me!”}

{Double Psst! People are charging crazy prices for them lately, but you shouldn’t have to pay more than $15-18 for them. $10-12 is a really fair price. I might pay more if it was a REEEALLY spectacular or unique one! The best place to find them is the thrift store or flea market but scour Etsy and eBay for bargains too! Happy Hunting!}

19 thoughts on “8 Ways to Wear Vintage Flower Pins

  1. honestly.

    you just knocked me out.

    no one should ever do a post ever again on enamel pins because it will fall so short of the INCREDIBLE AWESOMESAUCE THAT IS THIS POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    dammit, woman! i bow down to you. love the fonty goodness, love all the gorgeous pops of color, love the pinny inspiration. just fantastic!

  2. How fun was that post to do?! Wonderful photos, Alix! I have never thought of half of those places to put a pin. Loved it!

    p.s. Miss Jenny, I remember a pretty great post on enamel pins you once did! 😉

    1. It was boat loads of fun, I can’t lie! Jenny and I have been swoonin’ over these suckers for probably a decade now…she has quite the snazzy collection too!

  3. I have been looking for green sneakers for a long time and the ones you are wearing are what I want! Would you mind telling me what brand they are? The pins are fabulous too! I have a bunch- thank for the ideas.

    1. Hi Mindy! They are Pumas. I got them several years ago (they are green and light pink and SUPER comfy). I have to check what the style is! Tahnks for the nice words!

  4. Love your pins! I’m a (slight) collector of the pin myself, and my favorite way to wear them is to put them on a heavy chain and wear them as a necklace. I always get compliments. I’m also looking for the perfect fabric/leather cuff that I might be able to attach a pin to so I can rock a bracelet pin too.

  5. I have that pin too!!! The red, white and blue one!!! It’s fabulous as are all your pins. I want more and more now! My pin collection is small and growing … I have two special, special ones that my husband gave me after the birth of our two sons. So add wearing them on your hospital gown to the mix : )

  6. Hi girls , gram mom hear love love how all of you girls ware those purrty pins!! I though I was to old but I think even I can Pin Up! Thanks for all the great ideas!!!!

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