Wearing a flower in your buttonhole is a lovely extravagance that can be justified by events like weddings, Easter celebrations and formal sporting meetings. If you’re going to wear one, I recommend keeping it discreet.

Rather like a pocket handkerchief, a boutonniere captures the attention. It is in stark contrast to the cloth surrounding it and – most likely – the attire of surrounding men. For that reason, it is worth understating. It should be a pretty little focus point, not a heavy head that lolls from the lapel.

Equally, the colour should be kept subtle. A cream with some yellow, green or lilac in there, rather like the flower shown above. This is particularly important when you are not part of the wedding party, so the desire is to be elegant without standing out. Prince Charles is particularly good at this, as one may expect. His buttonholes are always delicate and pointed.

I will be going to my first wedding of the summer on Friday, and am as excited as only someone can be that commits far too much time and attention to what he wears, so really likes occasions when everyone else is too and he can show off without really showing off.

I shall be wearing (in case you are interested): Prince of Wales three-piece check suit, Anderson & Sheppard; white shirt, Turnbull & Asser; silver Macclesfield tie, Tom Ford; white linen handkerchief, Kiton; plain grey socks, Pantherella; black cap-toe shoes, GJ Cleverley.

And of course a small bloom, to be picked on the day.

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Sam Harvey

really salivating now… you are the essence of style my friend. so great to hear from you.

Anonymous

do you have any pictures of your POW by A&S, if so I would love to see them.

Arctic Penguin

Congratulations on having become a customer of Anderson & Sheppard’s!

jem

I second Anonymous’ request for pictures of your A&S suit, would be keen to hear your thoughts on how it compares with your previous commissions from Graham Browne.

And as far as buttonieres go, I believe there is a store in Japan that produces felt buttonieres like this: http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_l3nlfvQtVd1qazg1ao1_r1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0RYTHV9YYQ4W5Q3HQMG2&Expires=1276722266&Signature=yitDNwFR%2BPTzKnbx7lETJIF0Lfg%3D

Just a thought..

Jem aka ‘Philip’.

CDC

That sounds a lot like what I am considering for a wedding later this summer. I hope you will be posting a photo of your regalia.

Anonymous

It would be really great if you could post a picture of your outfit.