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Thought you knew all about pins?. Here is the ultimate guide and Boost your knowledge in understanding Lapel pin uses and applications.

The Greeks created the first lapel pin in the 13th century B.C. and evolved into the lapel pins we have today. Whether it’s to complement your suit to awarding students, there are many different reasons why we sport lapel pins.

But what’s the etiquette surrounding lapel pins? If you’re unsure, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.      

What Is a Lapel Pin?

Before answering “how to wear a lapel pin?”, it’s important to know what a lapel is.

The lapel is the edged part on both sides of your suit jacket, just under the collar. It’s folded back on either side of the front opening of your chest pocket.  

Most lapels have a buttonhole, either left open or stitched shut, on the upper part of the left-hand side. If you’re unsure where to place suit lapel pins, follow this traditional lapel pin etiquette.  

Lapel pins are often decorative but they can relate to your organization or causes. They come in an array of shapes and sizes which you can wear with anything from employee uniforms to your team’s kit.

The Various Types of Lapel Pin Attachments

It’s important to note that the backside of a lapel pin can be as significant as the front. There are many types, for example:

Stick Pin

The most common type of attachment is a stick pin, a thin needle with a collar that advances up and down to either attach or release the pin.

Military or Butterfly Clutch

These have been the standard lapel pin for years. It’s lightweight and the backside has a sharp point attached to it. Note that when you squeeze the butterfly clutch, the pin is released.

Magnetic Clasp  

Two small disc magnets in the pin’s backside and the front attachment holds the pin in place. This is a popular choice for those who don’t want to put holes in the material.  

Different Types of Lapel Pin

Now we know where to place a lapel pin, it’s important to consider the various lapel pins. For example:

Education Pins

This type of lapel pin is beneficial for schools and universities. You can use these to award students for excelling in a particular subject.

Schools and universities can customize them so they display the institution’s logo, the student’s name, and the relevant academic field.

Not only do well-designed education pins look fantastic on school blazers, but they motivate students to work harder. Further, any student-led campaign can use education pins to raise awareness with their multi-colored patterns and colors.

Military Pins

Show support for your branch or for the U.S. Armed Forces by wearing a military lapel pin.

It shows your patriotism and if you’ve served, lapel pins let you connect with veterans and other military members. Also, seeing another person with a similar military lapel pin connects you on a personal level.  

Police Pins

Law enforcement lapel pins are an effective way to combine pride and protection associated with the job while establishing your identity.

Lapel pins also raise awareness about your police department when displaying key information. As a result, your community will feel safe knowing the precinct number and location of their local police department.

Custom-made police pins make great freebies at school events. As these pins copy real badges, it excites students when they receive them. You can also reward overachieving students by making them unofficial junior deputies.

Sports Pins

Lapel pins are a superb way to celebrate professional or school sports team, uniting players and fans. They enhance oneness and team spirit which will encourage players to work together to win.  

It’s also an affordable method of getting pins for baseball, football, and basketball teams. The player can collaborate and brainstorm the design by adding their team logo and slogans.

Further, lapel pins can be an award for anyone who’s connected to a sport that will encourage participation. Not only does it boost confidence but it gives them a moment that they can hold onto for life.  

Employee Pins

Lapel pins that display your company’s logo raise brand awareness, a crucial part of advertising. Wearing employee pins will also attract customers to see what types of products or services you offer.

As every business is unique, you can have lapel pins in an array of colors, sizes, and designs depending on your brand identity and needs. Customized pins also boost your employee’s morale if you use them as an award for their hard work.

When employers show their appreciation to employees, they will be more motivated to perform better and will be more loyal to your brand.

Organization Pins

Organizations like charities can also reap the benefits of custom-made lapel pins.

For instance, you could offer different pins to reflect each donation level by ordering gold, silver, and bronze pins. The exclusivity of these lapel pins will raise awareness for your cause and encourage others to donate.

That’s Our Guide On Lapel Pins

Whether you’re a member of an organization or law enforcement, lapel pins are a fantastic way of raising awareness and unifying the team.

You can use lapel pins to award their students for outstanding work or to revel in team spirit when playing sports. Or wear your company’s lapel pin to improve employee productivity and establish your brand identity.     

Are you interested in getting lapel pins for your branch or educational institution? If so, we’d love to chat. Contact us here for more information.

The Ultimate Sacrifice: The Meaning Behind Military Pins

You don’t need a special occasion to celebrate our troops who make the ultimate sacrifice with their commitment. Explore the benefits of gifting military pins.

In Japan, lawyers or bengoshi now sport lapel pins (kisho) to signify their seniority and expertise as lawyers.

These badges are technically owned by the Japanese Federation Bar Association and “lent” to these lawyers, subject to disbarring, criminal conduct and other career-ending circumstances. What at first glance, may appear like a 16 petalled chrysanthemum is actually a sunflower, proudly fronting these lapels. A unique attorney number lies behind this regal front.

In the U.S.A, these military pins represent something else. As more of a military novelty, these pins are used to signify the ranks of soldiers and the unit they belong to.

However, while their official uses may vary across continents and countries, the symbolism is universal. The lapel pin has proudly evolved to represent camaraderie, affiliation, loyalty, patriotism, and unity.

These badges of honor symbolize a brotherhood of sorts among people. They signify a common cause, a common honor or in some cases, a common brand.

And they do it with sheer class.

The Origin of Military Pins: Exploring the Evolution

During the battles of the middle ages, knights would often find themselves separated from their own kin. At some point, inspiration struck and these knights began painting their shields in feudal colors in order to establish their identities among themselves.

And thus the principle of recognition and identity through an accessory was first established. This eventually (albeit indirectly) paved the way for the popularization of the lapel pin.

It was the civil war that first popularised the use of lapel pins in the U.S.A. Each military unit required their soldiers to wear a brass pin with their unit numbers on them, in order to be able to know which unit they belonged to. As a natural transgression, these lapel pins with their distinctive numbers grew to build a sense of brotherhood and loyalty among the units.

As world war I came around, this changed. The lapel pin was no longer a common accessory amongst comrades. Instead, receiving a lapel pin was a meritorious achievement, and only a select few were given this honor for their exceptional service.

Eventually, there were also special lapel pins handed to the close relatives of deceased soldiers.

Soon this reached civilians, and now anyone can sport a lapel whether its a matter of demonstrating their loyalty, patriotism or simply a personal statement. Military pins are now a full-blown industry.

Some General Terminology

While the military services may have varying styles of their badges (or pins) some of the terminologies remains common. This terminology is referenced in each of the services’ uniform regulations.

• Breast Insignia: These badges are worn directly above ribbons or medals. Insignia itself is a pin-on accessory made from metal.
• Identification Badges: These are worn at a uniform’s breast pocket level
• Marksmanship Badges: These are usually worn below the ribbons on the uniform

The Variants and What They Mean

Each of the military’s five services maintains their own lapels. These being the Army, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, the Navy, and the Coast Guard.

1. The Army: The Army pins are categorized as marksmanship, combat and special skill, identification and foreign.The Army: The Army pins are categorized as marksmanship, combat and special skill, identification and foreign.
2. The Airforce: Aviation badges are awarded at three different levels, each signifying the seniority of the individual.
3. The Marine: These include breast insignia (aviation, diver, etc.), identification badges and marksmanship. The marksmanship badges can differ based on the variations in weapon qualifications and other achievements.
4. The Navy: These badges are regulated by the U.S Navy Uniform Regulations and are classified into identification badges and breast insignia. The latter are further divided into command, warfare and other qualifications.The Navy: These badges are regulated by the U.S Navy Uniform Regulations and are classified into identification badges and breast insignia. The latter are further divided into command, warfare and other qualifications.
5. The Coast Guard: These are issued by the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to these specialized badges, they are also authorized to receive badges from the U.S Navy as well as the Department of Defense.

The Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor rests at the top of its hierarchy. It is the topmost honor for anyone serving in any of the military services and is presented to them by the President of the United States on the 25th of March (National Medal of Honor Day).

This is awarded in recognition and gratitude for having served the nation above and beyond expectations. It is a mark of exceptional bravery, loyalty and everything that the military stands for.

This pin knows three variants for the Army, the Navy and the Airforce. However, members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard can be awarded the one created for the Navy.

With their use becoming increasingly commonplace, corporates, societies, clubs and other group-oriented organizations use their own customized pins too!

A Corporate Transition with a Purpose

Given its profound associations with the U.S military, the lapel pin has evolved to represent something larger than itself. The reason its use has grown so widespread is due to the sense of unity and common cause that it creates.

Corporate employees find comfort in feeling like they are a part of a larger brethren, a cause bigger than them. This sense of belonging, loyalty, and unity is something that organizations and corporations often want, but otherwise, fail to achieve.

It also doesn’t hurt that lapel pins or military pins add an incomparable touch of elegance to any corporate outfit, allowing for these businesses to achieve brand awareness in the classiest way.

Inspired? Check out our range of customizable lapel pins for your own business, event, fundraiser or anything under the sun!