A corsage is a small bouquet of flowers worn on the wrist or pinned to an outfit for a formal event. If you are choosing one for a school formal, here is what it means, which style to pick and how to match it to your date. You can order a formal corsage here, or see our school formal flowers in Sydney page for the full range.
Shopping for a graduation instead? See our graduation flowers for Sydney delivery.
What is a corsage?
A corsage is a small arrangement of flowers worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress, usually for a formal, ball or wedding. It is the partner to a buttonhole, which is the small flower worn on a jacket lapel.
What a corsage means and where it comes from
The word comes from the French "bouquet de corsage", meaning "bouquet of the bodice". Corsages were first pinned at the waist or bodice of a dress, then moved to the shoulder and, over time, to the wrist. Today a corsage is a keepsake that says "I'm glad you're my date". It is traditionally given to a date or a mother, grandmother or friend of honour.
Who wears one, and when
Corsages are worn at school formals and Year 12 formals, university balls, weddings and other dressy events. Traditionally the person being honoured wears it, and a date or family member gives it. In Australia the school formal is where most people meet them.
Wrist vs pin-on
- Wrist corsage: worn like a bracelet and the most popular choice for formals. Our wrist corsages start from $65.
- Pin corsage: pinned to a dress, shoulder or lapel. Good if the outfit has a sleeve or a wrist you would rather keep bare.
Our designs are textural, with focal flowers on the smaller side. We avoid very large, heavy flower heads because a lighter corsage sits better on the wrist and is more comfortable to wear all night. We use a mix of floral glue (different to everyday glue) and wiring.
Corsage and buttonhole: matching the pair
A buttonhole is the lapel flower that goes with a corsage. Order the pair together so the colours and style match.
- Match the buttonhole to the corsage in style and colour.
- Choose flowers that stand out against the suit colour.
- Keep it small and neat. Worn on the left lapel and fastened securely so it does not droop.
See our formal buttonhole, from $25.
Choosing colours to suit the outfit
- Match the main colour of the dress, or pick a complementary one.
- With a bright dress, white or ivory flowers give contrast.
- With a neutral outfit you have more freedom with colour.
- If you know your date's outfit, choose flowers that suit both.
Popular flowers for corsages include roses, orchids, carnations, paper daisies and ranunculus. Pick a florist whose style you like, because design differs a lot from one florist to the next, even for something this small.
Ordering: how far ahead
Order your formal corsage and buttonhole together. We deliver Monday to Saturday and do not deliver on Sundays. The order cut-off for delivery that day is 12:30pm Sydney time. Delivery is $22 to $65 depending on your zone, and free in Northbridge. Tell us your formal date and colours when you order and we will do the rest. More options are on our school formal flowers page.
Looking after it on the night
- Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to wear it.
- Mist it lightly with water before putting it on.
- Handle it gently so the petals are not damaged.
FAQ
What does having a corsage mean?
It is a gift and a keepsake for a formal event. It shows care for the person wearing it and a matching buttonhole shows you are a pair.
Who traditionally wears a corsage?
The person being honoured: a date, or a mother, grandmother or close friend at an event. At school formals it is usually worn by the student's date.
When should a woman wear a corsage?
At formal events such as school formals, balls and weddings. Wear it on the wrist, or pinned on the left side so it shows.
What is a guy's corsage called?
A buttonhole, also called a boutonniere. It is worn on the lapel of a jacket. See our formal buttonhole.
Are corsages a thing in Australia?
Yes. They are most common at school and Year 12 formals, and also at university balls and weddings.
Planning the rest of the flowers? See our school formal flowers in Sydney, or our wedding florist page.
