Ah, the lapel pin. In a country that is famed for its casual dress, there aren’t many menswear staples as badly misunderstood as this small piece of metal.
Yet knowing how to wear a lapel pin can add a beautiful finishing touch to your outfit. It can make you stand out from the other suited men in the room and add class to your ensemble.
In this guide, we’re going to show you how to wear lapel pins the right way. Ready to learn more? Read on!
Different Types of Lapel Pins and When to Wear Them
There are three main types of lapel pins and they all have their own specific use cases. Wearing the wrong one can make you stand out in a bad way, so let’s take a closer look.
First off, we have the buttonhole or boutonniere. These are made of real or faux flowers with an attached pin and are by far the most formal kind of lapel pin. Don’t wear these anywhere other than a wedding: that’s where they belong.
Next up, we’ve got long-stem pins, which have a rod and cap style of fastening: you’ll often see the bottom of the long pin poking out from behind the lapel. These come in a variety of styles (just check out ruthnathans.com and their offerings) and are perfect for any formal occasion other than a wedding.
Finally, we have badges and pins. While you can wear these on a lapel, they’re informal and do not belong on a suit jacket. Instead, wear them on a sports jacket or on outerwear.
Only Wear Lapels On the Left
You should only ever wear a pin on the left lapel. Just under the collar point: your suit may have a buttonhole for pins but if it doesn’t, you can push the pin through the fabric.
Should You Show the Pin?
Showing the bottom of the pin itself is much more common than it used to be, when it was considered a serious faux-pas. That being said, for the most formal occasions, we’d recommend tucking the pin behind your lapel, as it is still a somewhat edgy look.
If you want to look great and aren’t at a wedding, funeral, or investment meeting, by all means, show off the bottom of the pin.
When Should You Wear a Lapel Pin?
Other than the buttonhole, you can wear a lapel on pretty much any formal occasion. They add a bit of flair to your suit, which can really help you stand out in a great way.
We would also recommend that you don’t add small pins to a suit. If you really want to, then you should add no more than two, as they can make your suit look pretty busy.
How to Wear a Lapel Pin: Solved
Knowing how to wear a lapel pin is a skill every well-dressed man should have in his arsenal. While they’re not for every occasion, they can add a certain something to your outfit and make you look great.
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