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Accepted Customs
and Practices
for Dress and Insignia
Each hereditary society and order has published regulations
concerning the use of their various medals and decorations. The
rules for the proper usage of insignia vary among the different
organizations. Members are encouraged to review the particular
protocol of an organization when attending either their formal or
informal functions. The following is a general summary of the
rules governing the wearing and use of insignia and related
items. This information is provided as guidance in order that
all may conform therewith, to the end that the prestige and
esprit of the hereditary community be maintained and the dignity
of their proud backgrounds may be enhanced.
Dress
Ladies dress for formal and
informal occasions follows the
dictates of accepted social customs.
Insignia
and Decorations for Ladies
It is recommended that the insignia and decorations of the
hereditary community be worn as prescribed below in keeping with
customs and tradition with:
Standard Insignia:
The standard or full size insignia is worn by members on formal
occasions, over the left breast. Generally, standard
insignia for ladies is to be worn only at functions of the
respective society, and not displayed with other standard
insignia. Some societies make allowances for wearing
standard insignia when members are either representing the
society at an event, or when attending ceremonial occasions.
Ladies standard insignia may not be altered by jewels,
inscriptions or any other device.
Jewelry such as
brooches or pins may not be worn above or directly adjacent to
insignia. The wearing of a necklace is, however, an acceptable
practice.
Sash:
The sash ribbon is worn by officers and past officers on formal
or semi-formal occasions. It extends over the right shoulder
diagonally to the left hip with the society medal pendant from
the bow at the intersection of the end over the hip. The
sash may not be worn over a top coat of any kind, except
a suit coat, nor with a pants suit. As with the wearing of
standard insignia, the sash may be worn only at official
society functions where the member is representing
the respective society. It may also be worn at ceremonial occasions.
Miniature Insignia
Formerly, miniature insignia or medals were considered
inappropriate for ladies, unless attired in a dress military
uniform. As some societies today have only miniature
insignia available to members, they are now appropriately worn
with proper ladies' formal evening attire.
Recognition Pins and
Charms:
Many organizations issue recognition pins and charms. The
recognition pin should never be attached to a ribbon, but worn as
prescribed by each society. Both of these items may
generally be worn upon any occasion.
Specific
DAR Regulations
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The National Society of the Daughters of the American
Revolution is the largest and one of the most distinguished
hereditary societies in existence. Because of this, we
have included here specific information regarding
DAR insignia regulations. HSC would like to thank the
DAR Insignia Committee for allowing the inclusion of this
information.
Insignia Pin
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The
insignia pin should be worn over the left breast and only by
active members. The Insignia and pins are worn with a 1 ¼ "
wide ribbon, which is the same as the ribbon used to create
the State Regent's sash ribbon. The length of the official
ribbon shall not exceed 14 inches. By ruling of the National
Board of Management a flag pin may be worn on the left lapel
when wearing the DAR Insignia. No other jewelry is to be
worn on the left side when wearing the Insignia pin.
It should be worn only at functions of the National Society,
state organizations or chapters or when representing the
organization.
It may be worn during the dedication of a grave marker for a
deceased Daughter and also at the funeral of a Daughter.
Daughters may sign the memorial book as DAR members.
The DAR insignia should not be worn on the street, in a
restaurant, cocktail lounge or other public places unless a DAR
or allied function is taking place.
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Sash Ribbon
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The sash ribbon is worn by the President General, Honorary
Presidents General, National Executive Officers, past National
Executive Officers, Vice Presidents General, Honorary Vice
Presidents General, past Vice Presidents General, State Regents,
and past State Regents. |
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During the Installation Service, the outgoing corresponding
officer places the sash ribbon symbolizing continuity of office.
In the absence of this officer, the First Vice President General
places the ribbon.
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By ruling of the National Board of Management the official sash
ribbon must be worn in a uniform manner, that is, over the right
shoulder and under the left arm. The ribbon should be hem
length. Only two pins should be worn on the sash ribbon, one to
fasten the ribbon at the shoulder and one at the hip. |
Members of the National Board of Management are not to wear
campaign emblems on the sash ribbon. The emblem of the current
administration may be worn on the sash ribbon.
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The ribbon represents an officer or a past office. It should be
worn on strictly formal occasions. National and past National
Officers, State Regents and past State Regents should wear their
ribbons at Continental Congress, state meetings, chapter
meetings, DAR dedications and strictly formal occasions. |
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Although the privileges accorded to an Honorary State Regent or
past State Regent remain in the state in which she was elected,
as long as an honorary or past State Regent is a member of the
National Society, she is entitled to wear the official sash
ribbon at any official DAR function.
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The DAR sash ribbon is not to be worn while attending a function
of another organization unless the member is attending in her
official DAR capacity. Likewise, a sash ribbon of another
organization should not be worn at a DAR function unless the
person is attending that function representing the other
organization. |
The sash ribbon, like the Insignia, should not be worn on the
street, in restaurants, cocktail lounges nor in a public place
unless an official NSDAR function is taking place then and
there. The sash ribbon may not be worn over a top coat of any
kind, except a suit coat, nor with a pants suit. The sash ribbon
may be worn at a funeral by a member attending only in an
official DAR capacity.
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