Remembrance Poppies

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Today is the perfect day to remind my fellow Canadians and Commonwealth cousins that the poppy is as appropriate on a tuxedo as it is on any other type of jacket. 

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Since World War I, wearing an artificial poppy to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in past wars has been a popular tradition in many Commonwealth countries in the weeks preceding Remembrance Day or Armistice Day on November 11. To a much lesser extent the practice also exists in the United States prior to Memorial Day on the last Monday in May.

Jimmy Giving A Speech with Poppy Boutonniere and Collar Pin
Jimmy Giving A Speech with Poppy Boutonniere and Collar Pin

General etiquette for the wearing of lapel poppies varies by country. In Britain it is governed by the Royal British Legion (although tradition varies in the UK), in Canada by the Royal Canadian Legion, in Australia by the RSL (Returned and Services League) and in America by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

To learn more about the poppy and its history, check out this guide.

Red Flanders Field Poppy Boutonniere medium with orange pocket square by Fort Belvedere
Red Flanders Field Poppy Boutonniere medium with orange pocket square by Fort Belvedere