Custom Lapel Pins – Your Ultimate Guide
In recent years, wearing custom lapel pins may have become more popular.
Previously reserved for the most formal occasions, they are now increasingly worn by elegant men going about their daily lives.
As a result of the loosening of the tight restrictions of formal dress codes at gatherings and the increased risk of appearing unprofessional and forced, the art of wearing them has become more sophisticated.
However, when done correctly, the lapel pin is a superb illustration of a detail that can give your ensemble a distinctive flair.
What is a Lapel?
Look at any blazer or black suit jacket.
The folded fabric flaps that run under the collar and above the buttons are called lapels.
The upper portion of the left side of most lapels has a buttonhole that can be left open or sewn shut.
Your custom lapel and custom pin name should go here.
Originally, the purpose of these buttonholes was to enable you to attach your jacket and keep your neck and chest warm.
They have developed over time to be specifically designed for the various kinds of lapel pins.
What is Lapel Pins?
A lapel pin is a small decorative pin or brooch that is typically worn on the lapel of a jacket, suit, or blazer.
Lapel pin is often used as a form of personal expression, to display affiliation with a particular group or organization, or to commemorate a special event or achievement.
Lapel pins come in a wide variety of designs, shapes, and sizes. They can be made from various materials, including metal, enamel, plastic, or even fabric.
The design of a lapel pin can vary widely, from simple geometric shapes to intricate and detailed designs that represent specific symbols, logos, or messages.
A Lapel pin is typically attached to clothing using a small pin or clutch on the back, which is secured through the fabric of the garment.
They are versatile accessories that can be worn on various occasions and for different purposes, making them a popular choice for both personal and professional use.
How Can You Identify a Lapel Pin?
Identifying a lapel pin involves examining its design, materials, and any markings it may have. Here are some steps to help you identify a lapel pin:
Examine the Design:
Look closely at the design or image on the lapel pin. It could be a logo, symbol, flag, emblem, or any other design.
Check for Markings:
Turn the pin over and inspect the back for any markings, engravings, or stamps. These markings can include the manufacturer’s name or logo, a copyright symbol, or other identifiers.
Material and Quality:
Determine the materials used to make the lapel pin. Common materials include metal (such as brass, copper, or aluminum), enamel, and sometimes plastic.
Assess the quality of the pin. High-quality lapel pins tend to have smooth enamel, sharp details, and sturdy construction.
Size and Shape:
Measure the size of the lapel pin, both in terms of length and width.
Observe the shape of the pin. Some lapel pins are round, while others may be shaped like animals, objects, or logos.
Remember that lapel pins can vary widely in terms of design and purpose, so the identification process may require a combination of these steps.
Patience and thorough research are key to identifying a lapel pin accurately.
The Different Types of Lapel Pins
What do lapel pins do? The phrase serves as a blanket term for any custom that wears a lapel pin as pins offer, adornments, and improvements.
Lapel pins come in a number of distinct varieties that vary in terms of not their placement, size, method of attachment, and image.
Soft Enamel Pins
Soft enamel pins are a type of lapel pin or decorative accessory that is made using a specific manufacturing process.
These pins are popular for a variety of purposes, including promotional items, collectibles, and personal expression.
Typically, manufacturers construct them with a metal base, often brass or copper, forming the pin’s structure. They then create a design or image on the metal’s surface.
Soft enamel pins commonly find use in promotional giveaways, fundraising campaigns, as merchandise for bands, artists, or online communities, and as accessories to personalize clothing and accessories..
They offer a visually appealing and affordable way to showcase designs, logos, and messages.
Butonnieres
The term “boutonnière” originates from French and translates to “buttonhole” in English. People frequently use them at weddings, making it a classic fashion accessory.
The practice of placing the floral decoration through the buttonhole of the jacket, which is why it is sometimes also called a ‘buttonhole flower,’ refers to it. People typically pin the boutonnière to the left lapel of the jacket, near the heart.
Boutonnières can vary in design and style, depending on personal preferences and the overall aesthetic of the event.
Common flowers used for boutonnières include roses, carnations, and orchids, but they can be made with various other flowers and greenery to create unique and personalized arrangements.
They are a thoughtful and stylish way to add a touch of nature and color to a formal outfit.
Flower or Floral Lapel Pins
These pins, resembling real flowers, consist of delicate materials such as cotton, silk, linen, or satin.
People often pin them similarly to boutonnieres, but they are typically a little smaller and offer the advantage of reusability.
These lapel pins come in a wide range of designs and styles, with various types of flowers and colors to choose from. Common flower designs include roses, lilies, orchids, and more.
Floral lapel pins can be made from various materials, including fabric, silk, metal, or a combination of materials.
Fabric and silk lapel pins are often soft and have a realistic appearance, while metal pins may have a more polished look and metallic look.
People typically wear them on special occasions such as weddings, formal parties, proms, and other events that require dressing up. However, you can also wear them casually to add a touch of flair to everyday attire.
In some cases, the choice of flower on the lapel pin may hold symbolic meaning. For example, a red rose lapel pin might symbolize love or passion, while a white lily gold or silver tone lapel pin could symbolize purity.
Stick Pins
Stick pins or stick pin are small, thin, pointed metal pins with decorative heads or tops.
People typically use them for various purposes, including fastening clothing items like scarves, lapel flowers, or ties.
Designers create stick pins to hold these accessories in place and add a decorative element to the wearer’s attire.
You can also use stick pins for other decorative and functional purposes, such as attaching decorative elements to bulletin boards or corkboards, securing fabric or paper in crafts and DIY projects, or even as a form of jewelry when attaching them to a pendant or brooch setting.
These pins come in a variety of different styles and designs, with the decorative tops often featuring gemstones, pearls, enamel, or intricate metalwork.
People have used them as fashion accessories for centuries, and they continue to popularly add a touch of elegance and personal style to clothing and accessories.
Mini Pins & Badges
“Mini pins” and “badges” typically refer to small decorative items that people often wear or display to express personal interests, affiliations, achievements, or simply as fashion accessories.
People attach mini pins, which are small, usually metal pins, to clothing, bags, hats, or other accessories.
These pins often showcase various designs, logos, or symbols and allow individuals to demonstrate support for a cause, express personal interests, commemorate events, or represent affiliations with organizations.
Enthusiasts collect and trade mini pins and commonly use them to personalize their attire.
In contrast, badges, like mini pins, are also small decorative items that individuals can pin to clothing or display in other ways.
However, badges often serve a specific purpose or convey information.
For example, organizations can use them as identification badges for employees or event attendees, to signify club or organization membership, or to acknowledge achievements in various fields like scouting, sports, or academia.
Law enforcement or emergency services can also utilize badges to indicate rank or authority.
Brooches
Brooches for men’s suits fasten using a hinged safety pin. Unlike any of the trading pins they typically have a precious metal or vintage element and are larger than pins.
Versatile accessories and brooches enhance various outfits when pinned to lapels, collars, scarves, hats, and handbags, and they also serve as decorative accents on dresses, blouses, or coats.
Historically, people have used brooches for functional purposes, such as securing clothing, fastening shawls, or serving as closures for cloaks.
The style and design of brooches lapel pins have evolved over time, reflecting changing fashion trends and cultural influences.
People have popularized them throughout various historical periods, and they continue to wear them today as a statement piece or a subtle addition to their outfits.
Brooches can be heirlooms, vintage pieces, or contemporary creations, making them a timeless accessory in the world of fashion and jewelry.
How to Wear Custom Lapel Pins?
There is only one unbreakable rule regarding lapel pins: Place a straight pin on them roughly where the buttonhole would be.
Usually, the lapel buttonhole is located on the left-hand side of the collar.
Some double-breasted suits feature this lapel buttonhole on both lapels, but the only golden rule is that you should always position lapel pins on the left lapel.
Remember that lapel pins are a versatile accessory, and there is no strict rule for wearing them. The key is to be creative and have fun while expressing your style and personality.
When to Wear Lapel Pins?
Depending on the situation, one can wear a lapel pin in both casual and formal situations.
When wearing lapel pins, it’s essential to consider the occasion, the message you want to convey, and the dress code.
Ensure that the lapel pin complements your outfit and doesn’t clash with your overall look.
Formal Events Mandate
People often save special lapel pins in suit jackets for special occasions, just like boutonnieres.
For instance, when going to prom, many people choose to wear boutonnieres first.
In this scenario, the boutonniere frequently coordinates with your date’s outfit or corsage.
Additionally, you can wear custom lapel pin or pins to formal fundraisers, weddings, galas, and other events.
Work Events
Teams from the office, sports teams, or company representatives frequently wear lapel pins to professional sports team functions.
Anything from internal events like team-building days to marketing events like tradeshows might fall under this category.
In these circumstances, the employer frequently gives out lapel pins to identify the business you work for or a noteworthy accomplishment.
Corporate lapel pins are a fantastic method to grow internal brand identification, increase brand recognition, and reward staff for a job well done.
Casual Settings
In informal contexts like outings or informal events, custom lapel pins are a suitable addition.
Even your everyday attire can incorporate them by employing them to inject style into otherwise plain essentials like backpacks.
Where to put a Lapel Pin?
People often use lapel pins to mark special events and occasions. You can also sell or give them out to commemorate an event.
Many people collect flower lapel pin pins to wear to formal and semi-formal events, but they are also popular with artists and creatively minded people.
What Kind of Lapel Pin Should I Use?
Wearing lapel pins goes all down to your personal preference, but also your outfit and the occasion.
The standards for color, design, and size aren’t really specific, but there are a few decent general guidelines to follow.
Metal Pins
Try to always match metals to the metal in your accessories, such as your belt, gold watch part, rings, cufflinks, tie clip, lapel pin, and other jewelry. Go all-gold or all-silver, then.
Bright, Colorful Lapel Pins
They look best when worn with a neutral-colored shirt so their contrast can stand out.
Just be careful not to contrast it with any other colors you may be wearing.
It helps to have a basic understanding of color theory and some typical combinations.
Pastel and Saturated Pins or Flower Pins
These are more covert and complement other accessories effectively.
Additionally, they are frequently more whimsical than bolder items. For instance, if the pin has a hint of metal, you may pair a light green shirt with a dark blue suit.
Even lighter hues ought to, nevertheless, always go with your necktie or pocket square.
Pin Your Passion: Take the First Step
Transform your brand with custom pins!
Explore our wide range of custom lapel pins made by the experienced team of Imprint and make your mark today.
Start designing now for a unique and memorable promotional item that sets you apart.
Resources
Miller, Ryan. “4 Reasons Your Business Needs Custom Lapel Pins.” CEOWORLD Magazine, Oct. 2019, ceoworld.biz/2019/07/10/4-reasons-your-business-needs-custom-lapel-pins.
Dale, Andrew. “Custom Lapel Pins – Learning About Cutouts.” The Pin People, Oct. 2020, www.thepinpeople.com/blog/custom-lapel-pin-designer-tips/custom-lapel-pins-learning-cutouts.