What Is a Flower Pin?

A flower pin is a fashion accessory that may be worn, amongst other things, as a corsage to add allure to an outfit, or as a hair ornament to highlight a hairstyle. Flower pins can be made from fresh flowers or dried flowers. They can also be made of different fabric materials like tulle, silk, lace, velvet, or they may be crafted using gold, silver, amber, pearls, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones.

Such flower pins can be purchased from accessory stores, jewelry stores and antique shops, and, depending on type and design, can be collector items and rather expensive. It is also possible to make a pin at home and there are many tutorials online showing how this can be done. The materials for making the pins are usually available at most craft shops for quite reasonable rates. Discarded fabric scraps, beads and so on can also be utilized to fashion an interesting flower pin.

Wearing a flower pin singly or in clusters can infuse a simple monochrome outfit with elegance and glamor. To liven things up, it may help to wear the pins in bright colors. While flower pins are often pinned to the shoulder, lapel, neckline and waist, they can also be worn in a variety of other creative ways.

The colorful blooms can be used to pin wrap-around skirts and dresses. They may be worn with a ribbon about the neck. They may be attached to a wrap or a shawl. For more casual wear, a flower pin may be pinned to a shirt, a blouse, a jacket, or a sweater. The pins can also adorn a hat, be attached to a belt or waistband, or used to decorate shoe tops. Handbags and purses may also be embellished with flower pins.

It is important not to overdo things though. A flower pin may not be as effective with a frilly dress as with a dress with simple lines. Similarly, an over elaborate hairdo may not work with a frilly hair ornament. It will also help to consider whether necklaces or long earrings will work with a flower pin, or are better left off.

In addition to being fashion accessories, flower pins may be worn to make a social or political commentary or to signify membership to a particular group or to commemorate an event. In Britain, Canada and many Western countries, for instance, there is a practice of wearing red poppy pins. These signify the blood shed by soldiers in various wars, and the flower pins are worn in remembrance and support.