Dress Decorum

Although there is no specific etiquette regarding the number of miniature medals that can be worn, it would be prudent to limit yourself to a maximum of six. Any more and you may be mistaken for a head of state.

Formal Facts

Rosette representing Society of the Sons of St. George.

The lapel rosette originated with a Legion of Honor award created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It was later reduced to button size for wear on civilian clothing and today it is awarded to members of both public and private organizations. It is made from the silk used for the band of the related medal and is worn in the lapel buttonhole.

Remembrance Poppies

The wearing of artificial poppies is discussed under Classic Accessories to best dispel any misconception that they are mere dress accessories.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

• General Guidelines

It is acceptable to wear military and civil decorations at state and other prestigious ceremonial functions providing the invitation specifically calls for them. The traditional wording in North America is White Tie - Decorations or Black Tie - Decorations. The British Commonwealth equivalents are Evening Dress - Decorations and Dinner Jacket - Decorations or Black Tie, Miniatures.

Protocol for wearing decorations is governed by the various bodies which issue them. Generally speaking, most organizations in English-speaking countries follow the same basic guidelines shown below. If a gentleman has more orders than are permitted to be worn at once, he should wear the most senior orders.

White Tie (Evening Dress)

broad riband (sash) with badge may be worn over the appropriate shoulder or replaced by a shortened riband (see sidebar); either type is positioned over the waistcoat and under the tailcoat
up to four stars may be worn on the left breast of the tailcoat
one neck badge suspended on a miniature ribbon of an order may be worn just below the bow tie
miniature badges of orders, decorations and medals are worn on a metal bar on the coat's left lapel

Black Tie (Dinner Jackets)

one star may be worn on the left breast of the jacket
one neck badge suspended on a miniature ribbon of an order may be worn just below the bow tie
miniature badges of orders, decorations and medals are worn on a metal bar on the jacket's left lapel

Morning Dress

According to Debrett's New Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners, decorations are today rarely worn with morning dress and are largely restricted to special official public functions, religious services connected with the orders of chivalry or grand memorial services. In these cases whoever is organizing the event should indicate whether decorations are appropriate. If so, the following protocols generally apply:

up to four stars may be worn on the left breast of the coat
one neck badge suspended on a full-width ribbon may be worn under the shirt collar
full-size badges of orders, decorations and medals are worn on a metal bar on the coat's left lapel

• European Variations

Throughout much of Europe white tie is the only attire considered formal enough to display one’s honors. That is why in countries such as Italy, Germany, France and Spain it is generally considered gauche to adorn a tuxedo with a sash, star or neck badge. To avoid being taken for an arriviste, visiting Anglophones should heed the custom of confining one's black-tie decorations to a rosette (see sidebar) or, less traditionally, a maximum of six miniature medals.

Daytime affairs grand enough to warrant full decorations will specifically call for Court Dress, High Uniform or even White Tie. If a man chooses to wear morning dress to such an occasion it would be prudent to limit himself to two miniature medals.