Lapel pins were once reserved for wearing on the most special occasions, and you’ve likely seen them at weddings, proms and other big events. Now, flower lapel pins are showing up more on jackets, blazers and coats worn by people going about their normal everyday business. The perfect floral pin can brighten up an otherwise plain jacket, but there is still an art to wearing one the proper way. Wearing this jacket accessory the right way will give you the right amount of flair.
You’ll often hear this term used as a catchall for any type of accessory that attaches to a lapel with a post and closure. While you’ll find tons of different types of lapel pins, the most popular one involves having a flower attached to the pin that adds a decorative touch to a jacket. Lapel pins can be made from a wide range of different materials that include fresh, fabric and metal flower designs.
Lapels are just those elongated flaps of fabric that you see running along the upper sides of a coat or blazer. They technically begin just below the neckline, but the collar and lapels are usually formed in one piece. The lapel will typically stop where the buttons begin, and there are even different types, such as a notch, peak or shawl lapel that are defined by their shape.
The different types of pins also differ according to factors that include their size, how they are fastened and the part that is visible on the lapel. Flowers are a traditional item to have rest on your lapel, and they provide you with multiple options for putting together a look that conveys your desired image.
A boutonniere is commonly worn at weddings, and they are also well-known for being the perfect way to add a formal touch to tuxes at black-tie events. For some events, such as prom, boutonnieres may be given to someone as a gift. Boutonnieres are typically a single flower that rests in the lapel's buttonhole. However, they can sometimes have additional elements added to the design, such as greenery or baby’s breath.
These are similar to boutonnieres, but they’re made with fabric that allows you to wear them on multiple occasions. Flower lapel pins also tend to be smaller than boutonnieres, so you can add a pop of color without making a huge statement. These smaller lapel pins also work great with other accessories, such as a pocket square.
You can recognize these pins by their long slender body that has a needle-like appearance. With most stick pins, a flower or other type of design is on the end that sticks out of the lapel, and the long portion runs beneath the fabric flap. However, some modern styles are designed for more of the stick and fastener to show on the outside of your jacket.
Mini pins have a shorter stem, and they look similar to what you might see placed on a hat or other articles of clothing. Pins can also be made from various materials that give you choices over color and design. A pin or badge can also have different types of clasps that can even be magnetic to protect your clothing.
Brooches close using a hinged pin that you push through your lapel or the buttonhole. Unlike mini pins, brooches are usually designed to be especially flashy. They may include vintage materials such as buttons, precious gemstones and other elements that turn them into a true showpiece.
Certain lapel pins, such as military honors, require following a specific protocol for how you wear them and combining multiple ones on a single lapel. With floral pins, you have a little more freedom, but you will still want to follow a few basic fashion rules to avoid making a faux pas. The biggest rules to follow are to make sure to place them correctly on your lapel, and knowing how to choose a color that creates the look you desire.
You might notice that your lapel has a buttonhole on it. In the past, people often fastened their lapels to keep their chests warm, but this has fallen out of fashion. Instead, clothing designers leave the buttonhole on the lapel as a nod to the past and specifically to create a space for people to put their boutonniere and flower pins. If yours lacks a buttonhole, then simply pin it where the hole would normally be. The most important rule of thumb to follow is to always place your pin on the left lapel. This is easy to remember since this is also where you’ll find the buttonhole on men’s jackets. Next, you’ll want to decide if you want the fastener to be visible or not, which is ultimately your decision. The other main thing to remember is to carefully balance out your accessories. A smaller lapel pin tends to be best if you also plan to add additional embellishments to your jacket.
Most colors will work well with neutral jackets, but you will want to take the color of your shirt and other clothing into consideration. Choosing a matching color can give you a pulled-together look that is ideal for more formal situations, such as a business meeting. However, you can also choose a contrasting color to give it a bit more pop. If you’re attending an event with a date, then you might also want to coordinate the color of your floral pin to match their outfit.
There really isn’t any occasion where a flower lapel pin won’t work. You can add one to your jacket for weddings, special dates, business events and other occasions as long as you make sure to keep the size, color and general design in mind. If you’re new to wearing these pins, then try one out on your next big special occasion. You’ll soon find that wearing them on even a daily basis feels natural, and you can bet that others will notice the extra effort you put into looking your best.
When you’re new to wearing flower lapel pins, it’s best to start with one that is classic and works well for any occasion. Our solid-color lapel pins come in a wide range of shades that will match or provide the right amount of contrast with any color scheme. Plus, you’ll love that each one is made from fine satin fabric with a stain-resistant finish that will ensure that it always looks fresh for every wear. Whether you want to make a splash with a rose quartz bloom or prefer to keep it more subdued with a neutral smokey gray, you’ll find the perfect floral pin for adding that extra bit of flair that you need to stand out in any crowd. Remember how we mentioned that you can use your floral lapel pin to match your date’s outfit for an event? Well, our collection of pins makes this easy as the featured colors are actually designed to perfectly match the dresses of top dress brands including Azazie, David’s Bridal and Dessy. Now that you know all about wearing floral lapel pins, it's time to find the perfect lapel pin for your style. Shop our collection today.