Boutonnière

A boutonnière (French: [bu.tɔ.njɛʁ]) or buttonhole (British English) is a floral decoration, typically a single flower or bud, worn on the lapel of a tuxedo or suit jacket.

While worn frequently in the past, boutonnières are now usually reserved for special occasions for which formal wear is standard,[1] such as at proms and weddings.

In most parts of Europe during this time, it was normal for men to wear fashionable clothes that included not only a boutonnière, but also breeches and boots.

This was one of the many accessories that a man could add to his clothing to make him stand out from the crowd, similar to picking a pair of well-polished shoes.

Today, boutonnières are still part of a man's formal attire, chiefly used on special occasions such as weddings, proms or ceremonies.

[5] At the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, it is a tradition that students wear carnation boutonnières while attending their formal examinations.

[6] This boutonnière is worn on the lapel of the student's subfusc, the style of formal academic dress at the university, but is not a compulsory part of the attire.