How to Wear a Lapel Pin on a Suit, Blazer or Shirt
By Sunny HuangQuick Answer. On a suit jacket, wear a lapel pin high on your left lapel, usually near the buttonhole. Secure a short post with its clutch behind the lapel. For a long stick pin, guide the stem downward and cap the tip.
In This Guide
Which Side Does a Lapel Pin Go On?
The wearer’s left lapel is on your right when you face them.
Find the lapel buttonhole above the breast pocket and hold the pin there with any lettering level. For a short-post pin, use the opening only if both the pin face and the fastened clutch are too wide to slip through.
If the buttonhole is missing, sewn shut or too large, choose a flat spot where a pinhole is acceptable. Ask the shop before piercing a rented jacket. For delicate fabric, try a pin with a magnetic back or attach yours to a lanyard.
How to Put On a Lapel Pin
Lift the lapel away from the jacket body so the pin passes through the lapel alone.
Metal butterfly clutch. Hold the pin face and squeeze the two wings to slide the clutch off. Guide the post through the lapel from the front, then press the clutch onto the post from behind until it grips.
Rubber clutch. Pull the rubber clutch straight off the post. With the design facing out, pass the post through the lapel. Press the clutch onto the post from behind until it covers the tip.
Long stick pin. Remove the cap and slip the point through an open lapel buttonhole. Keep the emblem outside and guide the stem down behind the lapel along its outer edge. Fit the cap over the tip.
How Do You Wear a Lapel Pin Without a Jacket?
Choose a firm spot, then check how the fabric hangs when you let go.
| Garment | Where to try the pin | When to move it |
|---|---|---|
| Button-front shirt or blouse | On a firm collar, just above the point | The collar tip droops. |
| Polo shirt | On the upper chest, clear of any embroidered logo | The knit puckers around the pin. |
| Collarless dress or cardigan | At a reinforced neckline near the shoulder | The neckline pulls away from the body. |
Why Does a Wide Lapel Pin Turn Even When the Back Is Secure?
Straighten the pin and let go. If the fabric sags, try a firmer spot. If it stays flat while the lettering tilts, check the back.
Reseat a clutch that slides along the post. If it still slips, try a matching replacement. A wide pin can pivot around a single post even with a snug clutch.
If staff pins keep pivoting, review the post position before reordering. Two spaced posts can help hold the logo level. Check where each would sit on the uniform lapel.
Daisy pin on denim
Two metal clutches spaced apart on the reverseWhen Can You Wear a Lapel Pin?
At work, leave enough space between the pin and your name badge for guests to read your name.
At a wedding, arrange the boutonniere and pocket square first. Place the pin where neither will cover it.
On a denim jacket, lift the pocket flap and pin through the flap alone. Fasten the back, then check that the pocket opens freely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear more than one lapel pin?
Yes. On a casual jacket, space pins so each design shows and the backs don’t overlap. For uniforms, follow the dress code.
Can I use one lapel buttonhole for a two-post pin?
Only if both posts line up when the pin is level and both clutches sit flat without slipping through. A post outside the opening needs a separate pinhole.
Ordering custom enamel pins for staff? Send your artwork and a uniform photo for advice on backing and post placement.
