How to Wear a Boutonniere to a Dance

It may take several attempts to properly pin your boutonniere in place.

It is common for men to sport a simple but elegant boutonniere when attending a formal dance. Boutonniere is French for "buttonhole," which is your first clue about how to wear your boutonniere properly. Unlike the more elaborate corsage that women customarily wear to a dance, the boutonniere generally consists of a single small flower with a touch of additional greenery or baby's breath. Wear your boutonniere with confidence by learning to position and pin it securely to your lapel.

Things You'll Need

• Boutonniere
• Boutonniere pin(s)

Instructions

1. Take hold of your left lapel. Position the boutonniere toward the top of the lapel near the button hole. Grasp the boutonniere so the flower is facing outward and the greenery or baby's breath is arranged delicately behind the flower.

2. Grasp the boutonniere pin in your other hand. Push the point of the pin up through the jacket fabric to the right of the flower. Pass the pin at an angle slightly upward through the boutonniere. Push the pin back down into the fabric to the left of the flower.

3. Consult a mirror. Check that the flower is facing outward and that the stem is pointing downward. Remove and reinsert the pin if you are dissatisfied with the angle of the boutonniere.

4. Fan the green accents of the boutonniere outward once you are pleased with its orientation on your lapel.

Tips & Warnings

• You may wish to crisscross two pins to secure your boutonniere in place if it is particularly large or heavy.

• It is not uncommon for the woman to attach the boutonniere to her date's lapel.

• If you do not intend to wear your boutonniere for several hours, store it in your refrigerator to keep it fresh.

References

• Merriam-Webster.com: Definition of Boutonniere
• Flowers by Tarra: Boutonnieres