Tell me About Lapel Pin Etiquette

Yeah what's the story with those pins? Have they always been there? I only really noticed them after September 11 (most of which occurred on September 12th here).

As for your question, I reckon just wear the bugger, etiquette be damned.

Chundles said:

As for your question, I reckon just wear the bugger, etiquette be damned.

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You beat me to it.

If you want to wear a badge then wear it.

Tell me About Lapel Pin Etiquette

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No.

If you have to ask, then you do not yet have the conviction to wear the message the pin conveys.

As you mature you will find yourself saying, to no one in particular, "**** that, I'm wearing it!!!".

I'm not really so fond of them myself (I think they can be alittled distracting, simply because you see them so seldom), but whatever floats your boat. If you like it or the pin in question has sentimental value, wear it and public opinion be, well, darned!

Basically you are free to wear whatever you want, but a little discretion is usually a good thing depending on what the pin is and where you are wearing it....

Father Jack said:

Basically you are free to wear whatever you want, but a little discretion is usually a good thing depending on what the pin is and where you are wearing it....

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Naked lady pins a la truck mud flaps are acceptable at all times and for all occasions.

Without concerning myself as to the what or why, the how of a lapel pin (gents here, ladies do whatever they want, apparently) is on the left lapel, centered width-wise, about 2-3" below the collar/lapel break. Size is up to you, but should be small ebough as to not be distracting (1" width or less).

Traditionally, no more than one lapel pin is worn at a time.

Iscariot said:

Naked lady pins a la truck mud flaps are acceptable at all times and for all occasions.

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That would certainly be acceptable at all times ..

I was thinking more about a situation where wearing a Glasgow Rangers supporters Club badge at a Glasgow Celtic convention would not be a good idea ...

In case this doesn't make any kind of sense. Glasgow Rangers football club supporters and Glasgow Celtic football club supporters are mortal enemies .. (and I'm not joking)

I always sport a natty swastika lapel pin with my suits. It looks sharp and is always a great conversational piece.

Just keep it simple and limit it to one pin. More than one makes it "flair"

I wear a lapel on my suit jacket when I wear a suit for work. I've never thought about whether to wear it on the right or left...never saw guidence on that and have seen people wear one on both sides.

FYI: It's my year pin at the company. We get them at 1, 3 ,5, 10... (5 year intervals after that, I believe).

Outside of a professional setting, I don't think I would wear one. Though, I used to wear a USFSA pin when I was younger.

Lapel pins add a nice touch to a jacket. They serve as a way to show off that you are affiliated with some association, party or group, etc. They assist in building comradery and communal spirit between peers.

As a couple of folks have pointed out, there are general rules of etiquette, but there isn't anything hard and fast. However, I would suggest considering the environment that you will be in more than the supporting garment. Many places you go strive for independence from outside influence and will frown on public display of affiliation. Additionally, the use of a lapel pin, unless in widespread practice is considered a little less professional than having a clean lapel.

As always, consider your audience.

If you are a little insecure, why not wear it pinned to the underside of your lapel and flash it to the initiated.

KGB

Grey Beard said:

If you are a little insecure, why not wear it pinned to the underside of your lapel and flash it to the initiated.

KGB

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That only works with handguns.

I believe it is all about conviction. Many people have causes, so for instance I wear my Autism Awareness Ribbon Pin on my work outfits, all of the time. Now, I am a teacher, so this is extremely acceptable.

I do believe there might be a time an place not to wear your pin.

A few examples:
Funeral (This might be a little tacky)
Exercising (We all have causes but there is a time and place)

I think common sense applies here...