Safety Pin Couture

One of the funniest scenes from the Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda classic Yours, Mine, and Ours is the moment when Lucille's daughters try to outfit her for a night on the town. Old mom's more advanced descendants decide her skirt needs shortening and her eyelashes gluing. Lucille declares (with a touch of foreshadowing) - "I'm held together with pins and glue! If there's a wind, we're in trouble!" This season, the safety pins are coming out again, but not as fashion aids for middle-aged matrons. Try some on - just don't prick yourself.

An incredibly detailed Moschino safety pin jacket.

Love the use of multiple pins shaped as a brooch - surprising.

Behold it upon the back of reality queen Lauren Conrad (or is that Miley Cyrus?).

Bazaar Magazine fashion shoot.

Norma Kamali safety pin trimmed jersey dress. With daring and a bit of patience, you might try this at home.

Marc Jacobs holds it together with leather pleats and giant pins.

A Lanvin chunky knit keeps its shape with a subtle pin and tuck in front.

Forever 21 - pearls and pins.

A pin-tucked dress of a different metal - scroll for a closeup of the beautiful design. By Moschino.

How to use an entire box of safety pins in one go. But the results are beautiful.

Pic 1, http://www.brownsfashion.com/product/fashion/womens/jackets/018I12430002.htm. Pic 2, LC http://annikencecilie.blogspot.com/2009/07/lauren-conrad.html, brownsfashion.com. Pic 3, normakamali.com. Pic 4, http://www.forever21.com/product.asp. Pic 5, nordstrom.com. Pic 6, www.shopstyle.com/browse/womens-tops?fts=safety+pin. Pic 7, catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=acc&product_id=1066392053&Page=29. Pic 8, saksfifthavenue.com.