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Formal Facts: Rosette
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.
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► Remembrance
Poppies
The wearing of artificial poppies is
discussed under
Classic
Accessories to best dispel any misconception that they are
mere dress accessories. |
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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. In all cases, if a man has more orders than the
guidelines permit to be worn at once, he should wear the most senior
orders.
White Tie (Evening Dress)
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broad riband (sash) with badge may be worn
over the appropriate shoulder or replaced by a shortened riband
(see photo on right); 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
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Black Tie (Dinner Jackets)
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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
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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:
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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
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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
may want to consider 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.
Further Information
Following are links to selected protocol guides which
provide further detail on the wearing of decorations, including instructions for women.
The Hereditary Society Community of The United
States of America
United States Marine Corps Uniform Regulations PDF (paragraph 5203, clause 5)
United States Navy Uniform Regulations (paragraph 5303)
Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia PDF (chapter 30-6)
Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel PDF (chapter
11)
Royal Air Force
Uniform Dress and Appearance Regulations
(chapter 8)
Spink’s Manual for the Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals by Andrew Hanham (civil)
The UK Honours System:
Order of Wear
Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals PDF
(military and civil)
Wearing of Honours, Awards, Medals and Decorations
PDF
(military and civil)
The Dutch Honours System PDF in Dutch, English, French and
Spanish
Vestire gli Onori
by Fabio Cassani Pironti
and Michele D'Andrea. A
complete
guide to the wearing of decorations in the Italian
peninsula.
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Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh at a White House
white-tie dinner in 2007. Note shortened riband.
Australia Governor General Jeffery (left) and Willem-Alexander,
Prince of Orange wearing decorations with black tie.
Canadian protocol for decorations on a cutaway
tailcoat (morning coat) or stroller.
From top: miniature medal, ribbon bar and full-size
medal. Bars are rarely
worn with civilian attire.
Neck badge (left) and breast star (right) for a Grand Officer of the
Order of the White Eagle, Serbia.
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