Formal and special occasions are made even more memorable when you include traditions passed down through the years. During this season, one such tradition is the wearing of corsages for proms, graduations, or even Mother’s Day.  The term “corsage” is French and originally referred to the bodice of a dress. Eventually, the flowers worn with formal attire came to be known as corsages because women wore flowers pinned to their dresses. These flowers were called the “bouquet de corsage,” and over time, simply “corsage.”

Contemporary corsages are also worn as wristlets – but traditional or modern, a corsage from Ah Sam Florist is a beautiful touch at any celebration. 

In ancient cultures, flowers were often worn to ward off evil spirits and prevent disease. Herbs and flowers were thought to protect those who wore them, and as such men were even known to wear flowers known as boutonnieres ( “little buttonhole”) for the same reason. During the 16th and 17th centuries, boutonnieres and corsages may even have been worn as an every day precaution, but over time the practice was reserved only for formal occasions.

Eventually,  fewer people were worried about evil spirits – and medicines and new treatments were increasingly used to deal with illness. Wearable flowers became a luxury item, usually reserved for dating and courting. A gentleman would present his date a corsage as a gift when attending a special event, such as a dance. Corsages were also given to show affection and love on holidays. Some women were given corsages on Mother’s Day, Easter or even on their birthdays.

Ah Sam Florist has beautiful corsages of roses, lilies, gardenias, and orchids – but we can make any custom design you choose. If you have a special San Mateo occasion this spring and are in need of flowers perfect for the event, give us a call! We deliver from San Francisco to Silicon Valley, making sure that every event is gorgeous!