When you decide to wear your lapel pin on a blazer, it’s essential to ensure that the pin should sit on the front of the lapel, ideally on the left side of your chest. The lapel pin or boutonniere should be positioned parallel to the closed end of the lapel, allowing the pin to be visible on the outside without damaging the fabric of your jacket or coat. To secure the pin, glide the stick pin back through the front, piercing the fabric gently, and make sure it is firmly attached. It’s advisable to wear one pin at a time to maintain a clean and elegant look, especially when wearing a pocket square.
Understanding Lapels and Buttonholes
What is a lapel?
The lapel is the folded part of the front of a suit jacket or blazer that extends down from the collar. It’s a key design element of the jacket and serves as the perfect canvas.
The left lapel and lapel pin tradition
Traditionally, the left lapel is where you wear lapel pins. This tradition stems from the placement of the lapel buttonhole, which is intended for lapel pins and boutonnieres to attach to.
Buttonhole on your lapel
The lapel buttonhole is a small hole on the left lapel, originally designed for boutonnieres. Today, it serves as the ideal place to pin through the buttonhole, keeping your lapel pin securely in place.
Wearing a pin without a buttonhole
If you don’t have a buttonhole, you can still wear a lapel pin by carefully pinning it to the front of your lapel. Ensure you pin it through the fabric discreetly and position it correctly, so the pin sits well.
Types of Lapel Pins
There are different types of lapel pins, each offering a unique aesthetic. From classic stick pins to vibrant enamel pins, understanding the various types will help you choose the best one for your blazer and occasion.
Stick pins
Stick pins are characterized by a long, pointed needle that goes through the fabric and is secured with a clasp behind the lapel. These are best for delicate fabrics, and help to attach the pin carefully.
Enamel pins
Enamel pins feature a design created with colored enamel, offering a vibrant and durable option. They often come with a post and a butterfly clutch to attach the pin firmly to the back of the lapel.
Boutonnières
Boutonnieres are fresh flower arrangements traditionally worn in the lapel buttonhole for formal events. While not technically a pin, they serve a similar decorative purpose and add a natural touch.
Brooches and badges
Brooches and badges are larger and more decorative than typical lapel pins, often featuring intricate designs or representing affiliations. They can make a bold statement and add a vintage flair to your blazer.
Custom and personalized lapel pins
Custom lapel pins allow for a unique and personal touch, enabling you to design a pin that reflects your interests or affiliations. These are perfect for adding a special emblem to your suit jacket or blazer.
Proper Lapel Pin Placement
Proper lapel pin placement is crucial for achieving a polished and stylish look when you wear a lapel pin on your blazer or suit jacket. The position of the lapel pin can greatly influence how it enhances your overall appearance, making it essential to get it right for formal events.
Which side does the lapel pin go on?
Traditionally, you should wear a lapel pin on the left lapel of your suit jacket or blazer. This convention stems from historical practices related to military decorations and the position of the lapel buttonhole, which is found on the left lapel.
Position on the left lapel
The ideal position to wear a lapel pin on the left lapel is above the heart, aligning with the natural line of the lapel. This ensures the lapel pin is visible and complements the pocket square, without overwhelming the front of your lapel.
Using the lapel buttonhole
If your suit jacket or blazer features a lapel buttonhole, use it to pin through the buttonhole to attach the pin. This is the most secure and traditional way to wear lapel pins, ensuring the lapel pin sits neatly and doesn’t damage the fabric.
Securing the back of the pin
To secure the back of the pin, ensure that the clasp or fastener is firmly in place behind the lapel. This will prevent the lapel pin from moving or falling off, maintaining its position throughout the event and ensuring the pin in place.
What if there’s no buttonhole?
If you don’t have a buttonhole, you can still wear a lapel pin by carefully pinning it to the front of your lapel. Make sure to attach the pin discreetly, so the pin sits securely and does not damage the fabric. Consider consulting a tailor.
How to Wear a Lapel Pin Step-by-Step
Putting on a lapel pin correctly involves several steps to ensure it looks stylish and stays securely in place on your blazer. Following these steps will help you wear a lapel pin with confidence, enhancing your overall appearance and demonstrating attention to detail.
Choose the right type of lapel pin
Selecting the right type of lapel pin is the first step. Consider the occasion, your personal style, and the fabric of your suit jacket or blazer. There are several different styles to consider:
- Stick pins
- Enamel pins
- Brooches
- Badges
- Custom lapel pins
Each offers a unique aesthetic.
Insert the pin correctly
Carefully insert the lapel pin through the lapel buttonhole if available. If there is no buttonhole, gently push the pin through the front of your lapel at the desired position. Ensure you only pin one layer of fabric at a time to avoid damage.
Secure it in place
Once the lapel pin is in the correct position, secure it with the clasp on the back of the pin. Make sure the clasp is firmly attached to prevent the lapel pin from falling off or shifting behind the lapel during the event, keeping the pin in place.
Align it properly on the lapel
Ensure the lapel pin is aligned straight and sits properly on the lapel. Adjust the position as needed to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look, avoiding any tilting or awkward angles to enhance the front of your lapel.
Match it with your blazer or suit jacket
Select a lapel pin that complements the color and style of your blazer or suit jacket. A well-chosen lapel pin should enhance your outfit, adding a touch of personality without clashing with the overall aesthetic. Consider the occasion and formal events.
Style Tips and Etiquette
Matching lapel pins with pocket squares
When you wear a lapel pin, consider coordinating it with your pocket square for a cohesive look. A pocket square and lapel pin don’t need to match exactly, but should complement each other in color and style, enhancing your blazer and the front of your lapel.
Wearing lapel pins with tuxedos or dinner jackets
For very formal events like black tie affairs, a classic boutonniere is traditionally preferred over a lapel pin on a tuxedo. However, if you opt to wear a lapel pin, choose a subtle and elegant design that complements the tuxedo’s sophistication.
How many pins to wear
As a general rule, it’s best to wear a lapel pin sparingly, typically just one at a time on your blazer. Overcrowding the lapel with multiple pins can look cluttered and detract from the emblem’s individual impact, and distract from the front of your lapel.
Pin materials and formal wear compatibility
The material of your lapel pin should align with the formality of the event. For formal events, opt for metal lapel pins or understated enamel designs. Avoid overly casual or novelty pins to maintain a polished appearance, and ensure the pin sits well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wearing on the wrong side
Always wear a lapel pin on the left lapel of your suit jacket or blazer. Wearing it on the wrong side disrupts the traditional placement and can make it appear as though you’re unfamiliar with standard etiquette for formal events.
Damaging the lapel fabric
Be cautious when you pin through the buttonhole and attach the pin, especially if your blazer doesn’t have a buttonhole. Avoid forcing the lapel pin through thick or delicate fabrics, as this can cause unsightly snags or permanent damage to the lapel. Consult a tailor for advice.
Wearing overly casual pins at formal events
Avoid wearing overly casual or novelty lapel pins at formal events. Stick to classic and understated designs that complement the formality of the occasion. Overly casual pins can detract from your overall polished appearance, and the front of your lapel.
Using multiple pins improperly
While it’s acceptable to wear lapel pins, avoid overcrowding your lapel with too many pins. Choose one or two significant emblems that complement your outfit without overwhelming it. Too many pins can look busy and detract from the overall aesthetic, and the pin sits properly.
Conclusion
Final tips for wearing lapel pins with confidence
Putting on a lapel pin requires attention to detail. Ensure the lapel pin aligns with the buttonhole, the clasp is secure behind the lapel, and the position complements your attire. Confidence comes from knowing you’ve paid attention to the details, making the lapel pin stylish and in place.
Personal expression and dress code balance
lapel pins are synonymous with personal expression, but it’s important to balance this with the dress code of the event. Choose different types of lapel pins that reflect your personality while remaining appropriate for the occasion, ensuring your lapel makes a tasteful statement, and the front of your lapel.