Proper placement of the boutonniere is the left side of the lapel of a man's formal jacket or sport coat. Men's coats traditionally have a buttonhole in the top lapel where the boutonniere can be placed.
Historically, boutonnieres and corsages were worn at formal occasions to act as perfume for their wearers when dancing closely with partners. Because of the lack of indoor plumbing and the widespread belief that it was unhealthy to bathe often, body odor was prevalent. Perfumes, even when they were available, were expensive.
An interesting fact is in modern times, a boutonniere is worn in the evening or during a ceremony. In the 1800s, men generally wore boutonnieres all day. To keep boutonnieres fresh, high-end clothing designers of the day developed a strategically placed interior coat pocket for holding a small vase to keep the bloom in water.
Historically, boutonnieres and corsages were worn at formal occasions to act as perfume for their wearers when dancing closely with partners. Because of the lack of indoor plumbing and the widespread belief that it was unhealthy to bathe often, body odor was prevalent. Perfumes, even when they were available, were expensive.
An interesting fact is in modern times, a boutonniere is worn in the evening or during a ceremony. In the 1800s, men generally wore boutonnieres all day. To keep boutonnieres fresh, high-end clothing designers of the day developed a strategically placed interior coat pocket for holding a small vase to keep the bloom in water.
