Let's Put a Pin in It
The air is warm and the summer dresses have been released from their sleepy hibernation, quickly finding their way onto the streets of NYC, much to the delight of the male sex. As the temperature and hemlines go up you may find yourself wanting to go sans tie, but also wanting to maintain your signature flair. For many men, the tie is one of the few pops of color in their wardrobe and by removing this item they lose their distinguishing trait in a sea of suits. One new way that I have found to add a signature twist to your ensemble is by adding a stick pin.
The stick pin (also sometimes referred to as a lapel, hat, or tie pin) is a device originally worn by wealthy English gentlemen to keep their cravats secure. The beginning of the 19th century saw the start of this popularity curve and finally by the late 1800’s this trend crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. It was about this same time that “the fairer sex” began to adopt these ornate straight pins into their attire, on hats or just in casual sportswear. Due to the rising demand, many artisans began to mass produce styles and just like that, the trend became accessible to the social tiers below the elite.
As occasionally is the case with the rakish mindset, a trendsetting individual may decide that items do not have to be displayed or used for their original purpose. A few examples of this could be how Italian men like to keep their leather gloves in the chest pocket of their outerwear, or the stylistic choice to use your untied bow tie as a pocket square, or how Gianni Agnelli famously wore his watch on the outside of his dress shirt. In the case of the stick pin, I have decided to start incorporating this accoutrement into my ensemble by wearing it on my blazer lapel much in the way one might wear a corsage.
Since these accessories have been around for over 200 years it can be easy to find unique vintage pieces, provided you take the time to look. If you are feeling a little lazy, a few designers have shared my enthusiasm for bringing this jewelry back in vogue. New styles can be purchased from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, and the unique accessories label Vanities. Final Verdict: Lots of random artisans are still making these pieces so, no matter what your taste, you can probably find something to your liking. Try checking out Etsy for countless affordable options.
The stick pin (also sometimes referred to as a lapel, hat, or tie pin) is a device originally worn by wealthy English gentlemen to keep their cravats secure. The beginning of the 19th century saw the start of this popularity curve and finally by the late 1800’s this trend crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. It was about this same time that “the fairer sex” began to adopt these ornate straight pins into their attire, on hats or just in casual sportswear. Due to the rising demand, many artisans began to mass produce styles and just like that, the trend became accessible to the social tiers below the elite.
As occasionally is the case with the rakish mindset, a trendsetting individual may decide that items do not have to be displayed or used for their original purpose. A few examples of this could be how Italian men like to keep their leather gloves in the chest pocket of their outerwear, or the stylistic choice to use your untied bow tie as a pocket square, or how Gianni Agnelli famously wore his watch on the outside of his dress shirt. In the case of the stick pin, I have decided to start incorporating this accoutrement into my ensemble by wearing it on my blazer lapel much in the way one might wear a corsage.
Since these accessories have been around for over 200 years it can be easy to find unique vintage pieces, provided you take the time to look. If you are feeling a little lazy, a few designers have shared my enthusiasm for bringing this jewelry back in vogue. New styles can be purchased from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, and the unique accessories label Vanities. Final Verdict: Lots of random artisans are still making these pieces so, no matter what your taste, you can probably find something to your liking. Try checking out Etsy for countless affordable options.
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