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Lapel pins aren’t just for officials and businessmen: They make a tasteful accent to your favorite blouse or power suit. Typically worn as a symbol of achievement or support, these tiny accessories are just as proper in the work place or boogying down at the club. Correct placement is paramount to pulling off the lapel pin look.
What Are Lapel Pins?
Lapel pins are small decorations worn on the outer garment of both men and women. Larger pins range in size from a half inch to 1 inch in diameter, while smaller pins are often in the quarter-inch to half-inch range. They are commonly made from metal such as aluminum and brass and powder-coated with colorful images depicting everything from sports teams to business logos.
Pick the Right Top
The right jacket is essential to wearing your lapel pin without creating a fashion disaster. A sports jacket or blazer with wide lapels is the perfect canvas for your lapel pins. If you decide to skip the jacket, look for a button-up shirt with a wide, pointed collar to give a home to your pin. Dressy sweaters are also acceptable for lapel pins, as long as you don’t attach it too far up on the sweater.
Pin It On
Positioning is key to rockin’ a lapel pin. The pin should always be worn on the left half of the shirt and should fall a couple inches below the collarbone. If the pin is on the large side, pin it a little lower to compensate for the size. Smaller pins should be attached a little higher up and closer to the midline of the chest. Stand in front of the mirror and put the pin on in different locations until you find one that looks, and feels, even and balanced on your body.
Cautions
Avoid the temptation to press the pin back through the fabric until you’ve decided where you want it to keep your shirt from looking like Swiss cheese. Look for magnetic pins if you want to minimize damage to delicate fabrics. Don’t wear casual or offensive pins to professional gatherings, and make sure your pin is right-side up to prevent an unnecessary fashion faux pas.
