Brooch Approach Fashion insiders always feel the need to compare the mood of designers to that of the economy, as if to say we can tell a lot about the state of the nation by taking a peek at the latest Ralph Lauren collection. With the looming recession (are we in it yet?) and unstable economic conditions, there's a lot of buzz in the fashion world these days about the re-emergence of conservative dressing for fall. Just take a peek at Michael Kors Fall 2008 collection inspired by the cast of television's Mad Men. From cashmere twinsets to double-stranded pearls, the collection is like a page by page description of how to dress from "The Official Preppy Handbook". Staying true to this spirit of conservative dressing is fall's greatest accessory, the brooch. What once was an accessory best left to grannies, the brooch was seen on the Fall 2008 runways of Nina Ricci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dries Van Noten, John Galliano, Givenchy and Sonia Rykiel to name a few. We love the unique shapes (from lizard to bauble), ornate jewels and wearability of the brooch. What other accessory is safe to wear on your hat, at the nape of your neck, on your lapel, or even on your purse? While we won't go as far to say that designers are like a barometer for economic conditions, we think it's safe to say that nothing says "conservatism" quite like a well-placed brooch.