Seen on the runways of Oscar de la Renta and Lanvin, and on celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a brooch is a timeless way to add some sparkle to your ensemble.

Pin one on in the glamourous style of Elizabeth Taylor, use it as a utilitarian way to close a shawl, or turn it into an embellishment for a sharp clutch or dress, but before you do, keep these 4 styling tips in mind:

1. Mix old with new. Wear a vintage brooch with a structured, graphic print dress or sporty neon clutch for a look that’s polished with added modern flair.

2. Placement is key. A brooch always works when worn, left or right, over the bust, but it can also be a surprising embellishment at the center of a buttoned up collar. Don’t just start pinning brooches all over or in the middle of a dress or top.

3. Blazers and brooches are friends. A fresh way to put some punch into your go-to, tailored black blazer is to add a playful brooch to the lapel.

4. Dress up a boring bag. If you’ve got a plain purse you love to carry from day to night, adding a brooch to the top corner is a great way to carry it out for a dressier occasion.