How to Wear Enamel Pins

Co-authored by Rachel Michael and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 13, 2021 References

Enamel pins are back! They’re a cute and creative way to show off your individual style by using statements and designs. You may have found some at a thrift store, in an online shop, or even gotten some from your friends. If you have some enamel pins and are looking for inspiration, try adding them to your accessories or refreshing a plain jacket to show off your pins daily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Putting Them on a Jacket

1
Attach a few enamel pins to your collar for an eye-catching accent. If you only have a couple of pins and you’d like to add a touch of style to your jacket, put a few on the edge of your collar to draw attention to them. Try to coordinate your pins by color or design.^{[1]
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- For example, put 2 pink pins next to each other, or try 2 circular shaped pins on either side.
2
Wear a bunch on the front of your denim jacket to add design. If you have a ton of enamel pins and you want to show them off, put them all on the front of your denim jacket near the chest pocket to give it an intricate design. You can cluster them all near each other or spread them out for a more even look.^{[2]
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Tip: Make sure to take off your pins before washing your jacket, or you could lose them in your washer or dryer.

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3
Spice up your cuffs by attaching pins to them. If you love the look of cufflinks but you’d like a more modern take on them, attach a few enamel pins to the edge of your jacket sleeves. Make sure the pins aren’t too heavy so that they don’t weigh down your sleeves.^{[3]
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4
Be bold by adding pins to the lapels of your leather jacket. If you feel like your leather jacket is lacking, try adding a cluster of pins to the lapels of it. Try to color coordinate your jacket and your pins so that they look seamless together, or create an eclectic look with a mishmash of colors.^{[4]
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- For example, if your jacket is black, add a pop of color with bright pins. Or, keep it neutral with black pins that have white designs on them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Attaching Pins to a Hat

1
Put pins on a beanie for a cute, cold weather look. Use enamel pins on your beanie to add flair to an otherwise plain hat. Attach them to the front so that they can be seen right away, or add a few pins to the sides and back of your hat to keep people guessing.^{[5]
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- You can adjust the placement of your pins over time if you don’t like where they are at.
2
Add pins to your baseball cap to enhance your hat. Put 1 large enamel pin on a plain baseball cap to have it be the main focus. Or, add a few small pins around the design on your baseball cap.^{[6]
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- The bill of your baseball cap will probably be too tough to push pins through, so stick to the softer cloth areas.
3
Give your bucket hat a refresh with colored enamel pins. Bucket hats are all the rage right now, especially in warm weather. Use brightly colored pins on a plain colored bucket hat, or give a patterned hat some new accents with a few small pins.^{[7]
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Tip: Adding pins to the brim of a bucket hat might weigh it down and cause it to lose its shape. Stick to the center of the hat when you place your pins.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Pins on Your Accessories

1
Send a message by putting pins on your backpack. If you have pins that make a statement, add them to your backpack to create a bold, everyday look. Add pins to the straps of your backpack if they are thin enough, or push the pins through the soft body of your backpack.^{[8]
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- Backpacks are a great place to show off pins, especially if you use your backpack super frequently.
2
Put pins through your belt loops for an eye-catching statement piece. Your belt has holes that are the perfect size to push pins through. Add one near the buckle of your belt to add a fresh design to a plain belt.^{[9]
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Tip: Tuck your shirt into your pants so that your pin is visible on your belt.
3
Add pins to your purse straps to spice up your bag. If your purse is feeling a little plain, add some pins to the straps to give it an embellishment. Use a few small pins to keep it simple, or cover the front of the straps in large pins for a statement piece.^{[10]
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Rachel Michael
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.}^{[11]
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- Don’t put pins on the area of the strap that sits on top of your shoulder. It can be uncomfortable to have pins digging into your arm.
4
Cover your bag in pins to give it a new design. If you’re tired of using the same old purse but you have a bunch of enamel pins, use them to cover your purse and give it a new, fresh feel.^{[12]
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Rachel Michael
Personal Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 November 2021.} This works best with purses made of cloth or other soft fabrics.^{[13]
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- If your purse is made of leather or suede, pins could damage the outside of it.