Southwest Emblem Blog

Military Challenge Coin According to an article by The Balance , military coins have been a tradition in the U.S. Armed Forces symbolizing unit identity and brotherhood. A challenge coin bears the organization's insignia or motto to identify the group and is carried by the members. The members can trade, present, and collect these coins; each coin instills pride to those that carry them.   How It All Began Some day the tradition began when an American fighter pilot was shot down during World War I and landed in hostile German territory. The pilot captured and held by the Germans. He managed to escape when the facility was attacked by British Forces, only to be confronted by French soldiers. The French took him as a German spy and was prepared to execute him. The pilot only had a challenge coin, he received from his Lieutenant before being deployed, to prove he was American. A French Officer immediately recognized the insignia, and after validating the pilot's iden...

Lapel Pins The Idle Man - Lapel pins have made a statement in the past, but with its comeback to men’s wear, the “old world” look is having a dapper effect. These pins come in many sizes, designs, and colors. They can represent a person's style, achievement, skill, or affiliation with an organization. And how you fasten a pin can be just as unique as the pin itself. Fasteners come in different attachments, such as a stick pin, military/butterfly clutch, magnetic clasp, and a screw and nut. Types of Pins There are just as many types of lapel pins as there are fasteners. Boutonnières are lapel pins made with real flowers and are more memorably worn by young men during prom. The floral pin is the artificial equivalent of the boutonnière and is slightly less formal. Materials used can be felt, linen, cotton, paper, silk, or satin. Badges or enamel pins, vintage, long-stem, custom, and collar pins are a few other types of pins that add character to an outfit for both men and wo...

What it Ment to Date in the 1950's Good Guy Swag - Going steady isn't a term you hear any more. In the 50's, it was a common term that couple used to declare their commitment to each other and in a way, was a way to prepare them for marriage. There are a few symbolic gestures couples used during that time. Typical Gestures "Visible tokens" such a class ring, letter sweater, a pin, etc. were given to the girl or they both would exchange friendship rings worn on the third finger of their left hand. Other gestures like carving their initials on a tree, the girl can wear a "Puppy Love Anklet" showed either she was in a committed relationship or single and ready to go steady. One of these common traditions still practiced today among fraternities, pinning. During a pinning ceremony, " a fraternity member gives his fraternity pin to a woman in a sorority, symbolizing that he values his girlfriend more than his house." according to Beth Baily ...

Where It All Began UIL Texas - It all started in 1904 when, president of The University of Texas, Dr. S.E. Mezes felt that a program needed to be put in place to serve the state of Texas. Mezes sent William Sutton, dean of the school of education, to visit Wisconsin. They offered reference libraries, specialists as lecturers, and assorted other off-campus services. In 1909, Mr. Sutton went to the UT Board of Regents and presented the "Wisconsin Plan," and the board supported funds to create the UT Extension Bureau. The following year Dr. Mezes created the Debating Leauge of Texas High Schools as part of the Extention Bureau. Almost thirty schools joined, nd later the Interscholastic Athletic Association was organized. In 1913, the Debating Leauge and the Athletic Association merged to form the University Interscholastic Leauge.  Still Going Strong Today the UIL operates as part of the University of Texas, Austin. The UIL has come to provide educational e...

Patches in Counterculture Asilda Store - Patches always had a functional purpose through history. They were worn to cover up holes and labeling people in uniforms. But in the 60's, 70's, and 80's they have come to symbolized and represent different things to thousands of individuals. There seems to be a demand for vintage patches, their stability and what they stood for are have made them a must-have collectible.  In the 70's,  embracing nature, love, and empathy and ditching the traditions of the Western middle class became a movement embraced by Hippies. Going against the current unintentionally led people into a fashion trend unlike any other. Hippies started repairing and  embellishing their looks with none other than clothing patches. Patches not only looked cool, but it showed off their ideals and purpose of their movement. Later on in the 80's people began to drop the "peace and love" movement and leaned towards anger and taking things into ...