How to Wear a Red Carnation

Red carnations can be worn for many reasons.

A red carnation can be worn decoratively or as a representation. At Oxford University, for example, carnations are worn to symbolize exam days -- white carnations are worn the first day of exams, pink carnations on the middle days, and red carnations on the last day. In Canada, a red carnation is worn by mothers on Mother's Day. Children also wear them to symbolize the mother is alive or wear a white carnation if their mother has passed away. Generally, however, the red carnation is worn as a lapel flower or boutonniere, or pinned to a shirt or sweater.

Things You'll Need

• Red carnation
• Scissors
• 1 inch or larger safety pin

Instructions

1. Cut the stem off a red carnation using scissors. Cut straight across the line where the stem meets the sepal to remove the entire stem. The sepal is the green base that holds the petals of the flowers.

2. Place the pin part of a safety pin through the bottom of the carnation base or the sepal. Place the pin in the left side of the sepal and out the right side of the sepal. Push the flower as far towards the inside of the pin as possible.

3. Pin the safety pin and carnation to a shirt or sweater, generally right above the breast. Place the safety pin on the outside of the shirt, blouse or jacket that is being worn. Insert the remaining pin side of the safety pin through the shirt blouse or jacket so it's pointing inward, or towards the body. Then push the pin side of the safety pin back out, so it is facing outside of the shirt again. Shut the safety pin by pushing the pin into the latch.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider adding more decoration to the carnation. Attach ribbon, leaves or baby breath to the carnation and wrap around the base using wire ribbon.

References

• Brit Info: What Do Different Flowers Mean
• Style Forum: Putting Flowers in Lapel
• Oxford Light: Traditions of Oxford University