Men have so many more options these days in terms of expressing themselves through how they dress – and accessorize. While I’ve always been a huge fan of men’s accessories, lately I have a new found interest in lapel pins. And they seem to be growing in popularity because we’re seeing a lot more of them.
Lapel pins are a charming and easy way to dress up a blazer or give it a quick update. Floral lapel pins seem especially popular and can be found in a wide range of price ranges, from luxury lines like Lavin to more accessible ones like Club Monaco. Designers are also creating some very cool lapel pins out of a variety of different materials. Canadian leather designer Kat Marks uses exotic skins like stingray and pairs them with semi-precious stones for her lapel pins. Brackish, a line based out of South Carolina (and carried exclusively in Calgary at the Rubaiyat) creates lapel pins made of feathers and thorns from wild plum thickets.
You can add a lapel pin to your favourite blazer, a suit or even a jean jacket. But they don’t have to be worn only on lapels. Pin one on to your favourite plaid shirt or vest, because why not? When looking for a lapel pin, it’s always fun to go with a pop of colour but doing a monochrome look is also good looking and more subtle – if that’s what you’re into. If you’re feeling especially expressive, do them in multiples – two or three metallic lapel pins on a blazer or jacket would look super stylish.
Lapel pins have a long and interesting history. First becoming popular during the civil war used to identity various units, they’re as popular today as ever. Whether you’re into something chic and simple or elaborate and colourful, there are tons of lapel pin designs out there to suit every stylish dude’s wardrobe needs.
Casey Wagar 