Lapel

As you can see from the celeb snapshots above, lapel pins are hot and one of the few accessory product categories men have to choose from when donning a sport jacket or blazer (without overdoing it). As indicated by the name a lapel pin, this pin belongs...on your lapel. Which begs the question:

What Technically is a Lapel?

A lapel is the two folds of your blazer, sport coat, or jacket that lay on your breast below the collar, and frame the first two to three buttons of your dress shirt or necktie. Lapels are typically sewn into the collar of the sport coat to have a cleaner look, but not always. To further dissect the components that make up a lapel you might notice with some varieties there are is a hole, on one of the sides of the lapel. These holes were historically to position flower boutonnieres and their stems.

These days, a lapel might have a feigned buttonhole, or possibly none at all (shawl). You no longer have to have a freshly-cut live flower for every occasion to adorn your sport coat, unless you're getting married that day. In this case, a live boutonniere is your most formal and appropriate option.

The Three Most Popular Lapel Styles

Now, not all lapels are or look the same, there are three different major lapel types which include: notched, peaked, and shawl. Each type looks very different from one another and should be worn for specific occasions.

The most common lapel form is notched it is usually paired on single breasted suits and it is what you typically see on most coats and jackets in America and Europe.

The peaked lapel is most common for a double breasted jacket. Double breasted jackets and the peaked notched are for a more formal look.  If going custom, request it with any formal coat, overcoat, and even up to the most formal, a tail coat. This lapel has a sharp peak point on it and is a little more exaggerated.

Lastly, there is the shawl lapel. Which as the name says is almost like a shawl rather than a collar and lapel.  It is when the collar and lapel are one swift curve and there is no distinction on where the collar ends and the lapel starts.  This lapel look is probably the least common lapel type. However, it can be seen on tuxedos, specific formal wear jackets, and smoking jackets.

What are Lapel Pins?

A lapel pin or lapel flower pin is the pin that you can add to your jacket for an accent or accessory. Although you can see lapel pins on different types of jackets and coats, we are going to narrow in on lapels for more formal wear and suits.  Now this does not mean that lapel pins are only meant to be worn for award shows and red carpet affairs, but they can be worn on your day to day business wear, if you choose to do so.

Lapel Pin vs Lapel Flower

A lapel flower is still a lapel pin but with a synthetic flower usually made from fabric.  You can choose a lapel flower that is simple and solid color that can go with most suits, or a more dandy one.

Knowing the difference between lapel pin and flower, and which can really make a suit or jacket go from plain to outstanding, will differentiate you as a taste-maker and fashion influencer among your friends.

How to Wear a Lapel Pin

Lapel pins are meant to add something a little extra to your outfit. Another accessory that could fall under this category would be a pocket square, but that is a completely different topic.

Here are a few quick rules of thumb:

• Always put the lapel pin on the left lapel
• Around four inches down from the tip of the shoulder is the ideal placement
• The smaller the lapel pin, the more appropriate for day to day looks.
• Larger statement lapel pins are for formal occasions

Thanks for your time and attention. Keep lookin' good.