A lapel pin is a small, stylish accessory that enhances your outfit with personality. For a polished and refined look, it’s important to understand how to wear a lapel pin, whether it’s for fashion, a cause, or a special occasion.
A common question that arises is: which side should you wear a lapel pin on?
In this article, we will explore the correct placement of lapel pins, the history behind their positioning, and the considerations you should keep in mind when choosing where to place your lapel pin.
In the past, lapel pins were primarily associated with military uniforms, where they indicated rank, accomplishments, or regimental identity. Today, lapel pins are popular fashion accessories for both men and women. Depending on the design, lapel pins can be used for a variety of purposes: a flower pin for weddings or formal events, a political or awareness pin to show support for a cause, or a sports or company pin to display affiliation. A magnetic pin offers a no-damage alternative to sharp posts and clutch backings for lapel pins. Generally, lapel pins are worn on the left side due to their historical significance and aesthetic balance; although personal style may sometimes dictate a different placement. Lapel pins add a subtle touch of individuality or sentiment to clothing, regardless of their design or placement.
Which Side to Wear a Lapel Pin
When deciding which side to wear a lapel pin, it’s essential to consider the type of event and the dress code.
Historical Significance
Several centuries ago, lapel pins were worn on the left side of jackets or blazers. Its primary origin lies in the history of military uniforms, fashion, and culture. Symbols, awards, and markers of significance have been associated with the left side of the chest for centuries. Its alignment with how most people wear pins on their jackets also persists to this day as a standard.
Military Influence
Pins worn on the left side have their origins in the military. Soldiers often wore medals, badges, or insignia to represent their rank, loyalty, or accomplishments. As uniforms became more formalized and influenced everyday clothing choices, this tradition carried over into civilian fashion.
Aesthetic and Practical Reasons
From an aesthetic standpoint, wearing a lapel pin on the left side also makes sense since it aligns with natural body movement and balance. Most people have the dominant hand on their left side, so pin something on the left side so the right hand can easily reach it or adjust it.
The Right Side: Exceptions to the Rule
However, lapel pins may also be worn on the right side, even though the left is the traditional and most common placement for them. In most cases, these exceptions are based on your personal style, your cultural background, or the type of event you are attending.
Wearing Pins on the Right Side for Special Occasions
The lapel pin may need to be worn on the right side for some formal settings, such as:
Certain Military Regalia: Veterans and military personnel may wear certain medals or pins on their right side according to their branch of service.
Commemorative Pins: For memorial events or Remembrance Day, commemorative pins are typically worn on the right side, as opposed to the left side.
Cultural or Religious Considerations: Different cultures or religious practices wear symbols or pins on the right side.
Fashion and Personal Style Choices
In case you have an avant-garde or individualistic approach to fashion, you can break convention and wear a lapel pin on the right side of the neck. It’s a matter of personal style in these cases, so there are no hard and fast rules. Fashion-forward designers and individuals experiment with unconventional placements for a more modern or eclectic look.
Positioning and Placement on the Left Side
Lapel pins should be placed on the left side in a balanced, professional manner.
Ideal Placement: The Left Lapel
On the left side, a lapel pin should be placed about 1-2 inches below the top of the collar, close to the stitching on the lapel seam. This is usually where the buttonhole is situated.
Tips for Proper Placement
Align the Pin with the Buttonhole:
Lapel pins can be placed above or below the buttonhole, maintaining symmetry with the rest of the jacket’s structure, if your jacket has a buttonhole on the left lapel.
Consider the Size of the Pin:
A smaller pin should be worn near the collar, while a larger, more intricate pin should be placed slightly lower to avoid overcrowding.
Positioning for a Modern Look:
In modern fashion, a slightly higher or lower position is acceptable, but the pin should fit evenly on the lapel. Avoid placing the pin too far to one side, since it may look off-centered.
Types of Lapel Pins and Their Placement
It is possible to place lapel pins differently depending on their type and occasion. However, lapel pin placement can often be flexible based on a person’s preference and the occasion.
Flower Lapel Pins
Traditionally, flower lapel pins are worn on the left side of the lapel, symbolizing sophistication and belonging to formal wear and special occasions.
Enamel or Brooch Lapel Pins
A decorative brooch, or enamel pin, can be worn on either side of a jacket or blazer and is less formal than a flower pin. It is common to wear these pins on the left side for a more traditional look, but there are no hard rules on how to wear them. In order to create a modern look, feel free to experiment with their placement on the right side or along the left lapel.
Military or Commemorative Pins
Most military pins, medals, and commemorative pins are worn on the left side of the chest, near the heart. Since these pins are meant to symbolize the wearer’s service, accomplishments, or respect for a cause, they are traditionally placed on the left side.
Alternative Lapel Pin Placement for Different Garments
Generally, lapel pins are worn on jackets and blazers, but they can also be worn on coats, shirts, or suits. The placement remains largely the same, but slight adjustments may be needed.
Blazers and Suits
Lapel pins are traditionally placed on the left lapel of blazers and suit jackets, since it is the location that balances the overall look.
Coats and Outerwear
If there is a lapel on the coat, the lapel pin should be worn on the left side of the lapel. If there is no lapel on the coat, the pin should be worn on the collar itself.
Shirts
If you wish to wear a pin on a shirt, the left side is recommended, though placement will depend on the shirt’s collar.
Conclusion:
Lapel pins are traditionally worn on the left side of a jacket or blazer, usually on the left lapel. It is a combination of historical and contemporary fashion conventions. Sometimes, however, it may be appropriate to wear a lapel pin on the right, particularly on special occasions or for personal reasons.
Lapel pins are a way to express your style, beliefs, or personality. It’s important to wear your lapel pin with confidence, making sure it complements your outfit and reflects your intentions, whether you follow tradition or experiment with a more modern approach.
