Corsages

A corsage is a small bouquet or arrangement of flowers worn by a person at formal occasions. Traditionally associated with women, a corsage is commonly worn on the wrist as a wrist corsage or pinned to the dress as a pin corsage. Corsages are often given by a date or escort as a gesture of welcome or celebration, and are typically coordinated with the wearer’s outfit. The male equivalent is the boutonniere, worn on a lapel.

Construction usually involves a few fresh blooms, greenery, and a decorative ribbon, arranged on a base and secured with floral tape or wire. Wrist corsages use a band or elastic, while pin corsages use a corsage pin. Fresh corsages require care: refrigerate until use, avoid direct heat, and remove to prevent damage. Artificial or silk corsages offer longer-lasting alternatives and can be reused.

Common occasions include proms, weddings, homecomings, and other formal dances. Colors and flowers are often chosen to match the event’s color scheme or symbolism. Etiquette typically suggests that corsages be given by a date or escort; recipients may reciprocate with thanks or a small gesture.

Origin and history: the term corsage derives from the French word for bodice, reflecting the early practice of wearing flowers pinned to the garment. The practice spread to dances in the 19th and 20th centuries, with wrist corsages becoming popular in the early 20th century.