a boutonnière, the french word for buttonhole, is usually a floral decoration worn by men on the on the left lapel where the pocket square belongs. typically a single flower or bud, this token of style is made for special occasions like proms, homecomings, & weddings. in 1771, the painter thomas gainsborough portrayed captain william wade of bath, england wearing a bouquet of flowers in his top buttonhole; that pretty much explained how this sartorial gesture was originated from traditional military uniforms ...