Monday, August 23, 2010

Lapel Faire!

I am a bit late with this post as ANZAC day in Australia is on April 25th, however I am going to continue as I think this is something that a gentleman (or lady) can adopt that has all the savoir faire in the world.

For those of you outside of Australia ANZAC stands for the Australian New Zealand Army Corp and ANZAC day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorates those that fought in Gallipoli Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries.

A wonderful tradition is the wearing of small sprigs of rosemary in the coat lapel as a sign of remembrance and commemoration. My mother still has growing in her garden a rosemary bush that is over 50 years old taken from a sprig of rosemary that was worn by my grandfather in an ANZAC parade many years ago.


Now that the weather is getting cooler and men will be donning jackets once more I think nothing cuts more of a dash than wearing a boutonnière. However, nowadays flowers generally seem to be regulated to weddings and can be a little too formal. Instead grab a single herb and pin it to your label as below. Mint or lavender as does any herb looks fantastic. I always try and pin a little something on a lapel if I am wearing a jacket.



To be a little more unusual find some wheat or other grass with seeds and do the same. However just keep it a single variety, remember less is more!

7 comments:

  1. It is particularly important to wear on one’s lapel a remembrance of those who fought and died for our freedom. I am deeply saddened and somewhat offended that fewer and fewer people wear poppies on Remembrance Day, November 11th. So many have forgotten, or are too young to know the significance, and perhaps new Canadians may be unaware of the great sacrifice of lives that was necessary that we could enjoy the enviable liberty and high standards of life that we have in Canada.

    On a recent visit to Queen's Park, the Ontario parliament buildings, I was greatly touched to see that in his official portrait, former Lieutenant Governor H. Jackman (1991-1997), chose to be depicted wearing a bright red poppy on his jacket lapel. I've also noticed that some particularly sentimental veterans wear their poppies all year long, in homage to their fallen comrades. How I admire this.

    For day to day stylish living, nothing is a chic as a fresh flower on a man's lapel. I think the most elegant ones are a single flower such as a spray of freesia, a rose, or carnation, without any fern or ribbon. Anything else is too fussy, especially in these more casual times.

    I like the idea of having an heirloom plant of 50 years taken from a sprig worn by grandfather. Reminds me of the tradition some have of keeping a houseplant of English ivy taken from the trails used in a family wedding long ago, used in subsequent weddings of today.

    Great topic for a post, but then yours always are.

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  2. I loved this post, the mint & the rosemary smell great too :)

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  3. brilliant topic for a study david. i love the types of boutonnières that are around these days. i remember seeing a succulent one once that was incredible! would love to see more! jx

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  4. Is it rye or wheat? Whichever, that's my favorite. Love the palette.

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