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ID Badge

Kari

Veteran

Apologies if I'm over-thinking this, but please bear with me. Our office has undergone a change were we now have to have a photo ID badge clearly visible on our person at all times. We still have a very flexible dress code - no uniform - so it's not a huge change. However, my dilemma is that I practically live in dresses and skirts, and only rarely wear clothing with belt loops or pockets, and wear a lot of necklaces. I've tried clipping my badge to the waistband of my skirt but it inevitably pops off.

So... what's the least "style-disruptive" way to wear a badge? A thin lanyard - and could I wear a lanyard and necklaces together? Or should I try to get a pin stuck on the back of the badge so I could pin it on? Or a magnet? I'm curious about others who may deal with something similar in your own workplace.

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

Maya

Veteran

How large is it?

My mom has to wear a name tag at work. Rather than a pin, it's magnetic, so it won't poke holes in your clothes (I'm sure she wouldn't care about a few pinholes in her scrubs, but still). I think this is the best solution, but I'm not sure where you'd pin it. Depends on the size.

Kari

Veteran

It's a standard, thick plastic card, slightly larger than an index card. It isn't magnetic, but like your mom, I've been to events where we had metallic badges with a strong magnet on either side that didn't poke holes in clothes. However, I'd have to check with our admin team before attaching a magnet to the card because it also controls our access to opening doors within the building, and I wouldn't want to ruin it if it could be de-magnetized.

catgirl

Veteran

I have made beaded lanyards for friends - supereasy and more fun to wear.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Mine doesn't have to be visible; it is magnetic, though, so I can tuck it away in a cute, cheap clutch that I carry with me. If I have it visible I'd put it on a cute, cheap necklace, and wear it as a lanyard.

Kari

Veteran

Do you think it's a problem, though, if I wear a thin necklace with my badge and still wear other necklaces that I like to wear (pearls, chunky beads, etc.)?

Anonymous

Kari. I have to have a badge with me at all times. I understand the pain.
I don't like lanyards at all. I had a clip on ID holder like this:
ID Clip
It was cool. Unfortunately, it broke.
The one I'm linking to does not have the vinyl plastic thingie you put your ID into. I would clip it to my waistband primarily.

Megan

I have a lanyard for my uni ID. It's a plain black long yanyard and all my necklaces are much shorter so it doesn't interfere.

Coffeegirl28

Hi Kari! What about a few beaded ones that coordinate with your clothing?
Etsy has a bunch, I just searched for "ID badge holder"
If you are crafty, you could buy beads and make your own, too!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I also have to wear a badge which is in addition a key so I cannot get around the office without it.
I have a long black lanyard and a short clip similar to what Zap posted. I find the badge annoying too. When I wear pants or skirts I use the clip on the belt or pockets. Sometimes I can do the same with dresses if I wear a belt or jacket on top (clip to the pocket). If nothing else works I wear it around my neck on lanyard which is not a problem in itself but the badge is.
In the end I am trying to ignore it...

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

For a while I bought a pretty lanyard online from BooJee Beads, but I also had to clip my beeper to it and it broke. I suppose I could try again now that I have a blackberry instead of a beeper...they were really pretty, and cheap!

http://www.boojeebeads.com/index.php

But I don't have to wear my badge all the time anymore, and most of the time it works fine clipped to the neck of my cardigan or top, or the lapel of my jacket.

Traci

Veteran

I think a simple black lanyard would be fine with other necklaces. If you try to dress up the lanyard with beads and flair it might compete with the style of the other necklaces you want to wear. Keep it simple.

Tricia

Veteran

I have to wear a badge the same size and shape as yours, Kari, and like you it has to be visible at all times. I almost always clip it to my waistband, pocket, or belt because I don't like wearing it around my neck for the same reasons as you. If I wear a dress with no pockets or loops or belt, though, I wear it on a lanyard - sadly just a work-issued bright blue fabric one - and just deal with it. Stupid Defense Industrial Compex messing with my fashion goals!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Do you have to wear it around your neck or can you pin it to the side of your outfit, Kari?

Kari

Veteran

Great suggestions so far - thanks! And I can wear the badge around my neck, or pinned to my outfit, or anywhere as long as it is CLEARLY visible. (I can't put it in my pocket.)

cloud9

Veteran

get the retractable badge clippers that Zapotee posted. I use those kind. I can clip that on anything, even if no pocket/belt, I just click on some fabric.

or cute ones like these: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb.....#038;ajr=3

Kari

Veteran

Oh, Zapotee and Cloud9, I forgot to mention that I have that exact same clip that Zap linked to. That is the one that pops off all the time.

I guess it's Lanyard City!

cloud9

Veteran

@Kari, mine doesn't pop off, but i had 2 that got stuck and broke the string. Anyway, some "clip" part are better/stronger than others. The one I had had teeth marks on them, so they grab and stay put pretty well.

Kari

Veteran

Cloud 9, there is a small collection of those zip badge tags in my desk drawer, so I'll have to experiment & see what is best. I am a bit worried that the clips with "teeth" might snag more delicate items, such as silk, so I'm cautiously trying different things out to see what works best. I don't always have an obvious place (a hem, a pocket, a belt loop) to clip the badge so, so I may just have to go the lanyard route.

JewelryGirl

Kari, I wear one & have for years! However, I wear mine clipped on at the waist. I wear pants so typically through my beltloop & the standard company issue clip works for me. However, I have seen some nice Brighton lanyards as well - just another option.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Kari, can you get a cheap, long gold-color necklace to clip it to? I wouldn't try to pretend it's an accessory, since it's not, but something more flattering than black fabric would be nice...

MsMary

Veteran

Brighton has several necklace-like "badge clips:" http://www.brightonretail.com/.....ch_results

I got this one for a friend of mine and she likes it and wears it every day: http://www.brightonretail.com/.....8;p=J43380

ETA: Okay, this place has a ton of small magnetic badge holders. Plus a kit that will convert the ones with pins to make them magnetic. I kind of like the eyeglasses one for you, Kari! http://www.funpinswork.com/ind.....5a41fd5f65