View source for Corsage

{{Short description|Small bouquet worn on clothing}}
{{for|the 2022 drama film|Corsage (film)}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Yellow Corsage.jpg
| image2 = Wrist corsage.jpg
| footer = Examples of a corsage. Colors for a corsage are commonly chosen to coordinate with attire.
| alt1 = Yellow corsage
| alt2 = Wrist corsage
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A '''corsage''' {{IPAc-en|k|ɔr|ˈ|s|ɑː|ʒ}} is a [[nosegay|small bouquet]] of [[flower]]s worn on a woman's dress or around her wrist for a formal occasion. They are typically given to her by her date. Today, corsages are most commonly seen at [[homecoming]]s, [[prom]]s, and similar formal events.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.modern-manners-and-etiquette.com/corsage-etiquette.html|title=Corsage Etiquette To Pin or Not To Pin|access-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>

In some countries, similar ornaments are worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom at a wedding ceremony.<ref name=":0">[http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/wedding-paper-divas-glossary-terms.htm Wedding Glossary Terms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324090916/https://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/wedding-paper-divas-glossary-terms.htm |date=2016-03-24 }} Retrieved on April 29, 2009</ref>

Flowers worn by men are generally called buttonholes or [[boutonnière|boutonnières]]. At school events such as homecoming or prom, male-female couples generally coordinate the corsage and boutonnière, signifying their connection, and distinguishing them from others.<ref name="donsflowers.blogspot.com">{{Cite web|url=http://donsflowers.blogspot.com/2012/05/brief-history-of-boutonnieres-and.html|title=Brief History of Boutonnieres and Corsages|access-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref> In some cases, young girls may wear a corsage to a [[father-daughter dance]], and the father may also wear a boutonnière.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.savvydaddy.com/how-survive-father-daughter-dance/|title=How to Survive the Father-Daughter Dance {{!}} Savvy Daddy|website=www.savvydaddy.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-18|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032602/http://www.savvydaddy.com/how-survive-father-daughter-dance/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Bess Truman and Ingrid Bergman4.gif|thumb|A traditional pin-on corsage]]
Wearing flowers pinned to clothing dates as far back as Ancient Greece, when small bunches of fragrant flowers and herbs were worn at weddings to ward off evil spirits.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://funflowerfacts.com/2013/06/05/the-history-of-the-corsage/|title=The History of the Corsage|last=Lowry|first=Connor|date=2013-06-05|work=Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flowers Presents...|access-date=2017-11-17|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122537/https://funflowerfacts.com/2013/06/05/the-history-of-the-corsage/|archive-date=2017-11-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the 16th and 17th centuries, corsages and boutonnières may have been a part of daily life to prevent disease and to ward off evil spirits, but over time, they became special-occasion pieces.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.passwordsgenerators.net/corsage/|title=Ideas of the corsage|access-date=2024-12-31|language=en}}</ref>

The word ''corsage'' comes from the French term ''bouquet de corsage'', meaning a bouquet of flowers worn on upper part of the body ("corsage" meaning girdle, bodice in French), which was traditionally worn by women to weddings and funerals.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gardenguides.com/84908-history-corsages.html|title=History of Corsages|website=Sciencing|language=en|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> Eventually, the term shortened to ''corsage'' in American English.<ref name=":4" /> In the early 19th century, corsages were regarded as a courting gift and were often given at formal dances.<ref name=":3" /> Traditionally, the gentleman would bring a gift of flowers for his date's parents and would select one of the flowers to give to his date, which would then be carried or attached to her clothing, usually on the front of the shoulder.<ref name=":3" /> During the 1950s, some corsages were made with fruit and would be seen on hats for decoration.<ref name="donsflowers.blogspot.com" /> As dress styles changed, pinning the corsage to the dress became impractical, and wrist corsages became the norm.<ref name=":3" /> 

Today's corsages are similar to those made in previous decades, though generally smaller.<ref name="donsflowers.blogspot.com" /> It is still customary for someone to give their female date a corsage when attending a formal dance, but they are also sometimes given to a daughter attending a formal event by her parents or worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom at a wedding.<ref name=":3" /> Wives and any surviving mothers typically wear corsages at Anniversary celebrations; generally, the flowers are the same as what was used at the wedding, with ribbons indicating the milestone, (i.e. silver for 25th, red for 40th). Florists recommend that the flowers be complementary in color to the attire, and corsages and boutonnières should be coordinated to indicate that a couple is attending the event together.<ref name="donsflowers.blogspot.com" /> Corsages are often dried and pressed to be preserved as mementos.<ref name=":4" />
[[File: Pink and black wrist corsages.jpg|thumb|A modern wrist corsage made with black satin ribbon, pink spray roses, and wax flower]]
== Prom ==
[[File: Wrist corsages.jpg|thumb|Modern wrist corsages]]
[[File:Goldthwaite High School Homecoming Mum.jpg|thumb|Homecoming mum]]
When attending a [[school formal]] or prom in the US, providing a corsage for a prom date signifies consideration and generosity, as the corsage is meant to symbolize and honor the person wearing it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hunker.com/12000078/what-does-the-corsage-symbolize|title=What Does the Corsage Symbolize? {{!}} Hunker|work=Hunker.com|access-date=May 10, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Corsages are usually worn around a prom date's wrist; alternatively, they may be pinned on her dress or a modified [[nosegay]] can be carried in her hand. The colors of the flowers are usually chosen to complement the dress or to add color to the couple, creating a unifying look. Prom couples may wish to go together to choose the flowers for a custom-made corsage or boutonnière.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prom-night.com/?page_id=24 |title=Prom Tips for Guys &#124; Prom Costs &#124; Prom Tux &#124; Prom Limo |publisher=Prom-night.com |date= |access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref> Traditionally, the male presents a corsage or nosegay to the female as a gift, while the female would provide the boutonnière and pin it on the male's shirt or jacket. 

== Homecoming ==
Given to a student by a date or parent to wear on homecoming day, homecoming [[chrysanthemums]] ("mums") are an over-100-year-old tradition in the U.S. associated with the emergence of homecoming football games at universities and colleges, especially in the South and Midwest.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Sherman |first=Rachel |date=2023-09-30 |title=In Texas, Mums Rival Football as the Big Homecoming Attraction |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/30/style/mums-homecoming-football-texas.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Prewitt |first=Taylor |date=2021-10-22 |title=In San Benito, Homecoming Mums Are an Over-the-top Texas Tradition |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/san-benito-homecoming-mums-over-top-texas-tradition/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing: Football, Homecoming and the Chrysanthemum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/history-of-homecoming-mums-the-og-chrysanthemum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> After [[World War II]], it became popular for homecoming mum corsages to be adorned with ribbons in school colors to signify school spirit.<ref name=":5" /> Some sources identify the University of Missouri, Southwestern University,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing: Football, Homecoming and the Chrysanthemum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/history-of-homecoming-mums-the-og-chrysanthemum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> and Baylor University as the first universities to host homecoming festivities.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Power |first=Texas Co-op |title=Texas’ Big, Beautiful Homecoming Mums Keep Growing, Powered by a Network of Makers |url=https://texascooppower.com/bigger-and-better-together/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Texas Co-op Power |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Soon after, homecoming games and traditions spread to high schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing: Football, Homecoming and the Chrysanthemum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/history-of-homecoming-mums-the-og-chrysanthemum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> In these early years, the chrysanthemum was typically used as the homecoming corsage flower because of its heartiness, popularity, and seasonal availability.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing: Football, Homecoming and the Chrysanthemum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/history-of-homecoming-mums-the-og-chrysanthemum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref>

Homecoming mums are primarily a high school tradition seen in Texas and adjacent states such as Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Are homecoming mums only in Texas? — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/are-homecoming-mums-only-in-texas |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> In Texas, they are described as rite of passage and are gifted by family, a date, or a friend.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2025 |title=Texas Homecoming Mums |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texas-homecoming-mums-photos/ |access-date=November 7, 2025 |website=Texas Monthly}}</ref> Starting in the late 1950s-early 1960s, Texas homecoming mums started evolving into more elaborate designs than those seen in the rest of the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions about Homecoming Mums in 2025 — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/top-ten-frequently-asked-questions-about-homecoming-mums |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> Ribbons got longer, trinkets (small plastic decorations) were added, and differentiation by class year slowly became the norm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a homecoming mum in Texas? — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/what-is-a-homecoming-mum-in-texas |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> Silk flowers eventually replaced live chrysanthemums once demand overcame florists' ability to supply real flowers; also, artificial flowers are able to hold up better as more decorative accoutrements are added.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing: Football, Homecoming and the Chrysanthemum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/history-of-homecoming-mums-the-og-chrysanthemum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> Meanwhile, in the rest of the country, homecoming mum design remained essentially the same but popularity slowly diminished.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Are homecoming mums only in Texas? — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/are-homecoming-mums-only-in-texas |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref>

Texas-style homecoming mums are considerably larger today than in past generations and typically feature numerous ribbons and additional adornments, including loops, braids, whips (basket-style woven ribbons), feather boas, personalized teddy bears, die-cuts, and various trinkets and baubles.<ref name=":5" />  Male students sometimes wear a more compact version known as a homecoming garter, which is fixed to the upper arm with an elastic band.<ref name=":5" /> Because of the availability of supplies and the large number of small businesses dedicated to mum-making, students can choose whether to purchase a [[ready-to-wear]] mum, a custom mum, or make one themselves.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Where do you buy a homecoming mum? — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/where-do-you-buy-a-homecoming-mum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> Some creations weigh up to ten pounds, take days to fabricate, and cost from $45-$700, depending on how elaborate they are.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" />  Seniors' mums are usually larger than those of other grade levels; at many schools, the tradition is for the senior mum to be white (rather than school colors) with accents such as gold, white, or trending colors.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Senior mums are the ultimate in Texas homecoming mums — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/senior-mums-are-the-ultimate-in-texas-homecoming-mums |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref> In many high school districts, students wear their homecoming mums and garters up to 12 hours to classes, pep rallies, and to the homecoming football game.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> 

Arlington ISD in Texas achieved the first [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] for the largest homecoming mum, a 22-foot design for [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]].<ref name=":6" /> Now, Lewisville High School holds the Guinness World Record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World’s Biggest Homecoming Mum — Mumentous: All about homecoming mums in Texas and beyond |url=https://www.mumentousbook.com/blog/how-big-is-the-worlds-largest-homecoming-mum |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Mumentous |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Types ==
Corsages can be made from a single flower or a small bunch of flowers, and a variety of flowers can be used. The following table shows some of the main flowers and accents used to create a custom-made corsage and that can be included in a [[nosegay]] and boutonnière.
{| class="wikitable"
!Main flowers
!Fillers and accents
!Extras 
|-
|Spray roses (sweetheart roses) 
|Gypsophilia (baby's breath)
|Artificial leaves
|-
|Standard roses
|Solidago
|Gems
|-
|Orchids
|Wax flower
|Beads
|-
|Carnations
|Seeded eucalyptus
|Ribbon
|-
|Mini calla lilies
|Asters
|Pearl wristband
|-
|Succulents
|Hypericum
|Bracelet
|-
|Freesia
|Chamomile
|Glitter
|-
|Daisies
|
|
|-
|Homecoming Mums
|Ribbons and boas
|Trinkets, bells, and die cuts
|}

== Tools ==
The style and design of a corsage may vary depending on the event. Younger generations tend to use wrist corsages, which may vary in style and size depending on the wearer.<ref name="donsflowers.blogspot.com" /> The more traditional option is a corsage pinned on the shoulder of a woman's dress. This style often gets confused with a boutonnière. The main difference is the size and the number of flowers used.

If a wrist corsage is chosen for an event, it can be made using wire and floral tape or floral glue. The wire method is recommended for pin-on corsages because the wire will support the stems or flower bulbs. Glue can be added to hold the flowers together if the wire and tape are not sufficient.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://londonflowerschool.com/ |title=London Flower School for Floristry and Corsage |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616113626/https://londonflowerschool.com/ |archivedate=June 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BoehlkeASW">{{cite web | last = Boehlke | first = Will | title = What's in your lapel? | work = A Suitable Wardrobe | date = 2007-01-07 | url = http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2007/01/whats-in-your-lapel.html | access-date = June 30, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081014053645/http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2007/01/whats-in-your-lapel.html | archive-date = October 14, 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Wrist corsage
!Pin-on corsage
|-
|Flowers
|Flowers
|-
|Floral glue
|Floral wire
|-
|Floral tape
|Floral tape
|-
|Floral wire
|
|}

== See also ==
{{Wiktionary|corsage}}
* [[Floristry]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Fashion accessories]]
[[Category:Floristry]]