Personalized pins and custom buttons might seem so basic and old-school that we might consider not having them as merch items anymore. They’re out of style, aren’t they??? Uhm…not really, not totally, in fact NOT AT ALL. Personalized pins and buttons are classic merch items for a reason. They look like cool things from the 80s but that is exactly its charm. A little rugged, a little rock and roll.
YES People still do wear custom pin badges and buttons…and they’re totally rocking!
They are usually worn during concerts but for cool kids, they add them to their OOTDs to add more spice and badassness to their look. We all know that as our world improves so does fashion and so there are many fashion apparel used that are pinned with these band buttons to make them look aesthetically pleasing.
Here are some of the ways the cool kids are wearing band pins, buttons, and badges:
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BAND BUTTONS ON JACKETS
The first on the list is the jacket. This is the commonly used apparel to attach personalized pins and buttons to. Tons of fashionable people do this, and I’ve seen K-pop members rock this style in their concerts or live on stage. As you can see, it isn’t all just band buttons, there are also different cool band patches. “The more, the merrier” is the motto for jackets. The more personalized buttons and patches there are, the more of a hardcore music fan you are. You can rock this style when you go to your favorite concerts where you can put all your collected merch pins to show your love for your favorite bands. You can also try other types of jackets like a bomber jacket, or maybe a winter jacket because why not! You can give your winter jacket a new refreshing look too.
FOR YOUR INSPIRATION:
BAND BUTTONS ON BAGS
This right here just screams youthfulness. How I wish I had a cool backpack too with this many pins when I was a student. It’s definitely a statement. The one above is a backpack but you can also pin your buttons to shoulder bags and tote bags. Seen some of the DIY designs for those bags and both looked lit but the shoulder bag shouted elegance while the tote bag showed innocence. I guess it depends on the personalized pins and buttons you choose to pin on a certain bag. I think a different type of bag with different kinds of pins gives a different kind of vibe, so all you really need is to pick the right bag and right pins to show the vibe you want to exude. However, in general, a bag with a pin has more personality. It would be a conversation starter.
FOR YOUR INSPIRATION:
BAND BUTTONS ON A CAP OR HAT
The simple black cap above looked better with the pins dotted on it. When you think of it, if the cap was plain and had no pins attached to it, anyone wearing the cap would look…forgettable, right? But when the pins were attached to it, BOOM! You cannot forget the person wearing it. Every button, every patch, is a reflection of the person wearing the cap. Not only baseball caps can be adorned with these pins. You can also put them to other types of caps and even hats like berets, beanies, and bucket hats. I’m sure at least one of these is in your possession so why not try designing now! It makes basic items extraordinary!
BAND BUTTONS ON DENIM SHORTS
Don’t you just love the aesthetic messiness denim fabrics and multi-colored pins exude when put together? The denim pants above looks fashionable and if I just had that many pins I would get to work right now, pin them on my denim shorts and wear the newly-designed shorts when I go out on the streets. Guys and gals can do this to have that grunge, badass devil-may-care look. If you don’t have pins, start collecting them and find those tatty old denim shorts from the bottom of your dresser and start pinning those badges. The next time you go out with your friends, or the next time you attend a band’s concert try wearing them and make the streets your runway!
BAND BUTTONS ON SHOES
What?! Really?! Wait, am I the only who finds this unexpected? I’m not the only one right? Good, good. So yes, this was a bit unexpected. When you ask people where they would attach pins, most people would readily think of putting it in the clothings of their upper body and would seldom think of attaching it to the lower part of their body. The last thing people would think would be the clothing apparel we use for our lowest extremity. And I must say, this idea is brilliant. We all have shoes that are just plain with no designs or patterns at all, so this idea right here will give those plain old shoes a bit of spice. Although we can’t really pin badges on leather shoes and other formal shoes. Let’s just stick sneakers and rubber shoes alright?
FOR YOUR INSPIRATION:
If you’re a musician, filmmaker, or if you own a company and you’re wondering whether it’s still worth it to make buttons, I hope this has convinced you. And don’t be too anxious about this decision because buttons are one of the cheapest merch items to make!
Check out our options for personalized pins and buttons here.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
