What Side Does a Boutonniere Go on?

Boutonnieres, like corsages, have been a formal-wear tradition for hundreds of years for weddings, proms and other special events. Knowing which side of the lapel to place the boutonniere on is important, because part of any tradition is to carry it out properly.

History of the Boutonniere

Historically, boutonnieres and corsages were worn at formal occasions to act as perfume for their wearers when dancing closely with partners. Because of the lack of indoor plumbing and the widespread belief that it was unhealthy to bathe often, body odor was prevalent. Perfumes, even when they were available, were expensive.

Placement of the Boutonniere

Proper placement of the boutonniere is the left side of the lapel of a man's formal jacket or sport coat. Men's coats traditionally have a buttonhole in the top lapel where the boutonniere can be placed.

How to Place the Boutonniere

The stem of the boutonniere should be placed inside the buttonhole of the lapel with the stem facing downward.

Attaching the Boutonniere

After the stem is put through the buttonhole, it is secured underneath with a pin. The pin goes around the boutonniere stem, never through it.

Interesting Fact

In modern times, a boutonniere is worn in the evening or during a ceremony. In the 1800s, men generally wore boutonnieres all day. To keep boutonnieres fresh, high-end clothing designers of the day developed a strategically placed interior coat pocket for holding a small vase to keep the bloom in water.