If you like the idea of collecting beautiful objects but don't have the room or the desire to accumulate shelves of dust-catchers, stick pinslapel and tie pinsare a great alternative.
They're small, easy to store, and best of all, supremely functional; you can enjoy their beauty on a daily basis by incorporating them into your wardrobe.
Stick pins have been popular since the mid- to late-1800s; many organizations, from the Salvation Army and Red Cross to the Masonic Lodge, have issued stick pins to present to their members.
The popular online auction site, eBay, displays ads for over 1100 stick pins, including vintage British pins from the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, the King's Own Royal Border Regiment, and the Grenadier Guards.
Some collectors focus on stick pins from a specific era, or of a specific categoryfor instance, the British military stick pins mentioned above.
Others purchase items based solely on their beauty.
Some collections start out with a few treasured pieces passed down through the family; one such collection began with a fleur-de-lis pin brought home from France after World War I, a favorite cameo from a great-grandmother, and a Herkimer diamond from a great-grandfather, and expanded from there.
Once you've begun your own collection of stick pins, you'll want to wear them, on the lapel of a suit or blazer or a tie or scarf.
It's a great way to add a personal, and even meaningful, touch to your wardrobe.