Aiguillette
[1]: 4 [2] Functional or purely decorative fasteners of silk cord with metal tips were popular in the 16th and early 17th centuries, sometimes of gold set with gemstones or enameled, are generally called "aiglets", "aglets" or "points".
[2][3]: 97 In modern usage, an "aiguillette" is an ornamental braided cord with decorative metal tips worn on uniforms or as part of other costumes such as academic dress,[1] where it will denote an honour.
The breast- and back-plates would be attached on one side with short loops of cord acting as a hinge, and on the other by a longer and more ornate tied one, to support the arm defences.
This would also explain the aiguillettes of varying levels of complexity in the uniforms of the Household Cavalry (see picture above), as opposed to other "unarmored" troops.
A version that says that aiguillettes originated in aides-de-camp and adjutants wearing a pencil at the end of a cord hanging from the shoulder has no historical base.
Another tradition traces a symbolic use of a Aiguillettes to Spain, after the Duke of Alba condemned deserting Flemish to face the rope.
[2] The Day Book of the Wardrobe of Robes of Elizabeth I records items received into storage, including details of buttons and aiglets lost from the Queen's clothing.
This entry suggests the huge numbers of matching aiglets fashionable forty years later: Lost the 2 of February ... [1582] 1 bunsh of small gold tagges or aglettes from a gowne of black satten at Sittingbourne parcell [part] of uppon the same gowne 193 bunshes[7]: 74 Elizabeth's aiglets were variously enameled with white, red, black, blue, and purple details or set with diamonds, garnets, rubies and pearls.
[3] Aiguillettes are worn on the right shoulder by armed forces officers serving in specific positions, such as aide-de-camp to the President, the Minister of Defense, each service's chief of staff and unit commanding officers, and by military attachés to Argentinian embassies abroad.
Olive green aiguillettes are worn with the combat uniform in very special circumstances, such as ceremonies and inspections.
A special red aiguillette is worn by the adjutants to the commanding officers of the Horse Grenadiers Regiment (the presidential guard) and the Military Academy.
Aiguillettes distinguish officers of Flag, General and Air rank in specific command appointments, military attachés and aides-de-camp.
The Governor-General of Australia, as the Commander in Chief of the Australian Defence Force, is entitled to wear a uniform on which an aiguillette made of platinum is worn.
Obsolete pattern aiguillettes braided with a coloured stripe may be worn until replaced by officers holding appointments to Lieutenant-Governors of provinces or military / civilian principals.
On 29 June 1935, so-called shoulder straps were introduced into the German Wehrmacht and were worn on certain occasions, e.g. at parades.
Civil Defence (Cosaint Sibhialta) personnel wear a white aiguillette on their dress uniform.
Singapore Armed Forces ADCs wear a gold braid lanyard in lieu of an aiguillette when in No.
From 1983 until the issue of the campaign hat, Women Marine Drill Instructors wore a red aiguillette similar to the Navy.
Students wearing a white rope are commonly referred to as chapel guides, and are charged with providing social or moral support to their fellow airmen.
Airmen who wear a blue and white rope are members of the drum & bugle corps for their base.
In the United States Air Force, honor guard members wear a silver aiguillette on the left shoulder.
