Lapel Pins

[Spartan Tartan]

I see several pictures with well dressed gentlemen wearing a variety of lapel pins, generally not more than one, perhaps two, at a time.

So I wonder, is there a convention or "rule of thumb" that the rabble uses? I know I have a couple and wear them on occasion, but almost exclusively when at a meeting/function for that particular orgaization. Do you wear one all the time, or.just at specific events? How do you decide when or where to wear them?

Just wondering...

[Taj]

From my experience it is a matter of personal choice. I belong to several parts of the Masonic family of organizations, and also the Odd Fellows. I don't usually wear more than two pins at a time, but I've seen men wearing four. Most of the guys know what I belong to and what my accomplishments are. I more so look at pins as conversation starters with future friends.

[Peter Crowe]

I tend to wear one at a time, if I wear one at all. I just think more than one looks cluttered and fussy. However, I am not aware of any particular convention on the matter. Usually these days I wear a pin with the St. Andrews flag crossed with the Stars and Stripes.

I used to be a member of an organisation called The Round Table of Great Britain and Ireland (similar to Rotary but only for younger men aged 18-40), and while a member wore my membership pin often. I still have those pins but they lie in a drawer with cufflinks and other assorted pins. I never wear them as I am no longer a current member of Round Table, and would feel a bit phoney if I did so.

[LANCER1562]

The only time I wear a lapel pin is on Sundays to church and then I wear two pins: the Saltair crossed with The Stars and Bars and an Episcopal Service Cross that a friend in my congregation gave me.

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks. Like I said before, i tend to wear them infrequently but only one at a time. Perhaps I will wear them more often as Taj does...as conversation starters.

[Jock Scot]

Wearing lapel pins is not a usual custom in the UK. Some do, but it is, I am glad to say, not the norm. Often our tie tells the world what a pin might do in other places. The only exception is the wearing of a poppy at the appropriate time of year , which is now.

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks Jock. So the wearing of a regimental tie or some other tie which bears affiliation/membership to a group is more the UK way, huh? I like that too. I will have to keep that in mind when meeting people from across the pond. That too could be a decent conversation starter.

[Phil]

Wearing lapel pins is not a usual custom in the UK. Some do, but it is, I am glad to say, not the norm.

Strange but I seem to regularly see lapel badges being worn, most notably by our First Minister, Alec Salmond and his colleagues but also by many others such as Rotarians. I have seen military badge style ones worn, obviously by ex-servicemen, not to mention the "Help for Heroes" bear badges supporting our troops. I doubt Jock must live in a very isolated and insular place to hold such views.

[Jock Scot]

Strange but I seem to regularly see lapel badges being worn, most notably by our First Minister, Alec Salmond and his colleagues but also by many others such as Rotarians. I have seen military badge style ones worn, obviously by ex-servicemen, not to mention the "Help for Heroes" bear badges supporting our troops. I doubt Jock must live in a very isolated and insular place to hold such views.

I wear a Help for Heroes tie. Cheers

[creagdhubh]

I wear a Help for Heroes tie. Cheers

Superb photo Jock! You are slowly revealing more and more of yourself, visually! Hahaha...steady on there lad!

As for lapel pins, I don't wear them. I prefer the understated (not boring though) look with my choices for Highland day dress, and being a wee bit more ornate with my evening dress.

Best wishes,