Putting the best foot forward.
The OFPA Style Guide
The following constitute guideline and Regulationds for what to wear and how to present yourself at events of the Order or when displaying regalia of the order.
REGULATIONS FOR WEARING REGALIA:
These recommendations governing the wearing of regalia of the Order Supplement the provisions of Article V “Regalia” found in the “Handbook of the OFPA” and are published for the information and guidance of members.
- All regalia should only be worn as stated, kept in good repair, clean and presented in a neat and orderly appearance.
- Only members of the Order are at liberty to wear the regalia and at the level to which it belongs i.e., Past Governors lapel pin by Past Governors, etc.
- The Order’s regalia is never to be worn as articles of jewelry.
- All sales by the Order are made to active members only
The Rosette
The rosette is the most imformal of the Order’s decorations. The Rosette as we know it was started by Napolean Bonaparte in 1802, although these were much larger than the ones we issue today. The first used in the United states was issued by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States in 1877.
There are four Rosettes issued by the order:
- The Plain Rosette (membership), available in the button type and tie tack. May be worn by all Associates and comes in the colors of the order.
- Rosette with silver braid beneath is authorized for Officers and Councilors of State Societies.
- Rosette with half-silver and half gold braid beneath is reserved for past and present General Officers and Councilors General.
- Rosette with gold braid beneath is for the sole use of the present and past governors general.
Rosettes are worn only on informal occasions and are displayed on the left lapel of a blazer, sports coat, suit coat or dinner jacket but never on a top coat.
When a rosette of the Order is worn no insignia of any other organizations should be worn at the same time.
Rosettes are never to be worn on shirt including polo shirts and dress shirts, windbreakers. Similarly, they are never worn with tuxedos (black tie) or tails (white tie).
Rosette Do's and Don'ts
Do
- wear on the lapel of a sportscoat, blazer, or suit coat.
Don't
- wear on a tuxedo jacket, dinner jacket, or tailcoat
- wear on a shirt of any kind including polo shirts
- wear on any casual jacket or windbreaker
- wear with any other rosettes
- wear any other organization’s insignia
Necktie of the Order
A necktie in the colors of the order comes in a four-in-hand and bow styles and may be worn during business and social hours. The bowtie may be worn with the dinner coat to informal parties and meetings of the Order as well as to formal affairs.
Necktie Do's and Don'ts
Do
- wear during business or social hours
- wear the bowtie to blacktie events if you choose
Don't
- wear when called for white tie with a tailcoat
Cumberbund of the Order
A cummerbund of the Order may be worn with a dinner jacket and matching bowtie of the Order on semi-formal (black-tie, or tuxedo) events. It is never to be worn with White tie and tails or blazers.
Blazer Badge of the Order
An embroidered cloth patch with clutch back may be worn with informal dress during business or social hours. It is fastened to the left breast pocket of a blazer, using the clutch back pins or by sewing. In addition to any Society badges , there are two distinct blazer badges one being for Associates and one only to be worn by General Officers of the Order.
Emblem Badge
The emblem badge of the Order consists of the Order of the Founders and Patriots’ medal attached to a drape ribbon with the colors of the Order. It is worn conspicuously on the left breast of the coat (off the lapel) and 4 inches below the middle part of the shoulder seams or on the lapel. . The emblem is worn only with full evening dress white tie or dinner jacket (tuxedo/black tie). Those who have been Officers of a State Society, including Councilors and General Officers may wear the emblem badge from a neck ribbon of the Order’s colors on formal occasions. This should fit snugly with the emblem badge drawn up closely below the knot of the bowtie, never extending more than one inch below. When worn as a neck ribbon, no other neck ribbons may be worn, nor should you wear any other badge of the Order.
General Officers' Cordon (sash)
The cordon of the Order is worn by General Officers (past and present) and Councilors General on formal occasions. It extends from the right shoulder diagonally to the left hip in such a way that the red stripe is close the neck and the bow resting on the hip. The emblem of the order hangs under the bow by a loop provided for that purpose. The cordon is worn under the coat and over the waist coat with full evening dress. It is never worn with informal dress or with a dinner jacket or tuxedo. Although insignia of other societies may be worn about the neck (when full decorations are specified), it is considered improper to wear the neck ribbon with the OFPA emblem at the same time as wearing the cordon.
Plaque of the Order (Governors' Star)
This is the distinctive insignia of the General Officers (past or present) and Governors of State Societies. It is worn with formal attire on occasions of official or formal ceremony and is always displayed on the left front of the coat approximately three inches above the waist seam. When wearing the plaque, the State Governor should not wear any other insignia of the Order, although a bar of miniatures (including the miniature emblem badge of the Order) is acceptable. General Officers should wear the Plaque in conjunction with the cordon.
When appropriate, in the judgment of the Governor General, the Plaque may be worn with a dinner jacket on the left front of the coat immediately above the waist. The Plaque should never be worn as a pendant from a neck ribbon or other than as specified above.
Past Governors' Lapel pin
The pin may be worn only by past Governors of State Societies on the left lapel of a blazer, sportscoat, or suit coat on informal occasions.
Miniature Emblem Badge
This may be worn only on the left front and is pinned four or five inches below the middle point of the shoulder seam and not on the pocket or on the lapel. It is worn under the same conditions with respect to function and attire as the full size emblem badge, that is only on white or black tie attire. When two or more medals are worn at the same time, all must be the same size. The emblem medal on the cordon or neck ribbon is always full size.