Put A Pin On It: Hillary's Best Brooches And What We Think They Mean (SLIDESHOW)

If you're thinking about becoming a Secretary of State, you better know how to spell "brooch" and how to pin one on silk blend. Hillary Clinton, not missing a beat, paid attention to Madeleine Albright's brooch love affair and has started a tryst of her own. But something's missing. Albright's said her brooches symbolize a certain mood or occasion, but Clinton hasn't admitted to anything yet. So Hill, know you're busy, thought I'd help.

• • • • • • If you're thinking about becoming Secretary of State, you better know how to spell "brooch" and how to pin on one on silk blend. Hillary Clinton, not missing a beat, paid attention to Madeleine Albright's brooch love affair and has started a tryst of her own. But something's missing. Albright's said her brooches symbolize a certain mood or occasion, but Clinton hasn't admitted to anything yet. So Hill, know you're busy, thought I'd help.

Comments

[Pema]

10:10 AM on 04/27/2009

The pin of the brooche should be worn four fingers up from the collar bone. This is why the brooches look weird. She also needs a larger brooche when wearing the pearlzilla necklace, honestly, the pearls are just too big.

[Molly Porter]

02:03 PM on 04/27/2009

Four fingers up from my collar bone is my neck.

[jazabelz]

03:05 PM on 04/27/2009

I think she means four fingers "down"!

[rayy]

10:02 AM on 04/27/2009

ha ha ha--I guess some people here don't understand the concept of "humor".

At least we have a Sec. State that is a serious person.

Just please, please, don't show us your workout routine!

[ladydragon]

09:01 AM on 04/27/2009

those pins don't mean anything, stop reading into something that's just not there. I have lots of pins and broaches that don't mean anything other than they look nice with the jacket or whatever I'm wearing.

[Molly Porter]

07:32 AM on 04/27/2009

I hate where she positions them. It's weird and unbalanced. I would prefer something on the lapel.

[QueenCeleste]

06:24 AM on 04/27/2009

Brooches can enliven a severe or lackluster outfit (or pantsuit!) They can be elegant, whimsical, chic, relay a message, or just be plain old fun. Brava to Hillary for brightening her ensembles with these baubles!

[Mum]

03:22 AM on 04/27/2009

You've got to be kidding. She's the Secretary of State, not your fashion commentary pinata.

[wayoutleft]

02:45 AM on 04/27/2009

i love hillary and madam secretary albright; but the right has taken lapel jewelry into realm of icons, intaglio, and amulets.

[boredwell]

01:42 AM on 04/27/2009

WIth MO you can tell she has an affinity for her brooches. She wears them naturally, blithely. Like that omnipresent belt, her boleros and kitten heels. Albirght is of a generation that appended brooches for sartorial drama. Hillary's use of them is distracting, I think. They look like afterthoughts. She should forego the brooches and brandish her smile instead. I notice she's smiling more.

[afgail]

12:34 AM on 04/27/2009

Since I retired I have a big box of brooches that I don't wear anymore. Think I'll pick out the best ones and send them to Hillary as a token of my admiration for her.

[afgail]

12:30 AM on 04/27/2009

Sheesh, get a grip. Brooches are a good way to brighten up and individualize a big batch of drab professional suits that tend to look like all the others. Nothing deep or complicated. Haven't any of the women on this tread worked in an environment that required a certain degree of uniformity in women's suits very much like the sartorial standards for male executives?

[Steamboater]

11:41 PM on 04/26/2009

All these brooches mean is that Hillary is over 50.

[nowratan]

11:28 PM on 04/26/2009

I do think it is the signal for the mood our state secratories have a cetain time,day or date.Better flashy and big.

[lmvd3]

11:18 PM on 04/26/2009

Following in the tradition of Madeline. Be your own woman, Hillary! Plus, she's pinning them on incorrectly; they are too high to the point of nearly being on her shoulder.

[oldandintheway1]

05:37 PM on 04/26/2009

Why do the brooches have to "mean" anything at all?? Mayb e she just liked the way they looked on her?? But, i'm just a guy what do i know anyway??

[PoliticalAmazon]

09:18 PM on 04/26/2009

You are correct. There is no meaning...she just liked the pin on the blazer. It does tend to break up the severity of formal business wear.

But Madelaine Allbright's brooches--sheesh, Xena could have used it as a shield.

[NCYvonne]

04:30 PM on 04/27/2009

>>You are correct. There is no meaning...she just liked the pin on the blazer. >>

And you know this how? Hillary told you personally? That explains those voices in your head . . .

[Maezeppa]

05:09 PM on 04/26/2009

Hillary's brooches are a gesture of affection for her friend and mentor, Madeline Albright.