There’s only one golden rule for Lapel Pins: To wear them approximately where the lapel buttonhole is or would be. That’s the upper part of the left lapel.

Some double-breasted suits have these buttonholes on both lapels, but Lapel Pins should always go on the left-hand side.

Lapel Pins offer a lot of potential for daring experimentation but remember to keep this to the pin and not their placement. The pin itself, if showing, should run parallel to your lapel instead of straight up or across. This is particularly important for longer stems, where the wrong angle can ruin the effect. Below, the left side is correct.

The pin and fastener can either poke back through the front of the lapel, or remain hidden behind it. It’s a matter of preference, based on what you think and feel in terms of your chosen pin/jacket.

You can wear a Lapel Pins with almost anything. Traditionally with blazers and suit jackets, but also coats, a tuxedo, or directly on your sweater or shirt. Just don’t forget that you’ll be piercing the fabric of your clothing, which can leave permanent holes or marks on certain delicate items.

You can combine your Lapel Pins with other accessories, such as pocket squares or a Tie Clip . This adds an extra layer of complexity to your outfit in terms of coordinating your pieces so they complement each other, and none of them overwhelm the others.

The best way to do this is first getting an understanding of matching and color theory here, where you'll also find an interactive color wheel that you can play with. Once you've got the basics in place, you can start playing around with your wardrobe.

Again, this is all down to your personal preference, but also your outfit and the occasion.

When it comes to color, style, and size, the rules aren’t clear-cut, but there are a few good rules of thumb to keep in mind.