How to Choose Medal Ribbons for Correct Wear

A medal ribbon may be only a narrow length of fabric, but it carries the identity of an award. The wrong stripe sequence, width or mounting style can alter the appearance of a group and compromise its historical accuracy. Knowing how to choose medal ribbons is therefore as much about respecting entitlement and service tradition as it is about achieving a smart finish.

For serving personnel, veterans and families preserving a relative’s medals, the starting point is always the award itself. A ribbon is not chosen by colour alone. It must correspond precisely to the medal, the period of issue and the intended form of wear.

Start with the medal and confirmed entitlement

Before ordering a replacement ribbon, identify the medal it belongs to. Read any naming on the medal’s rim, examine its design, consult service records where available and compare the award against reliable campaign references. Several British medals use similar colour combinations, particularly across long periods of military and imperial service. A ribbon that appears broadly right can still be incorrect.

This matters especially for family groups. It is common to find medals separated from their original ribbons, remounted after many years, or stored loose in a box. Do not assume that every ribbon supplied with a group is original to it. A later owner may have replaced a faded ribbon, used an available substitute or mounted medals in an incorrect order.

Entitlement should also guide the decision between a full medal ribbon and a ribbon bar. A full-width ribbon is used to suspend a medal. A ribbon bar, sometimes called a ribbon strip, is the small representation worn on certain forms of uniform when full-size medals are not required. The two serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

How to choose medal ribbons by type of wear

The correct ribbon format depends on where and how the award will be displayed. For full-size medals, choose full-width ribbon suitable for suspension and mounting. For miniature medals, use miniature-width ribbon matched to the smaller medal format. Using full-size ribbon on miniatures creates an oversized, untidy result; miniature ribbon on full-size medals can make a group sit badly and leave inadequate material for proper mounting.

For ribbon bars, confirm the current dress instructions of the relevant service or organisation. The Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, emergency services and civilian bodies may have their own rules on when ribbon bars may be worn, their arrangement and the use of emblems. Serving personnel should follow current unit and service dress regulations rather than relying solely on a historic photograph or an older example.

Medals intended for a display frame allow more flexibility, but historical correctness still matters. A framed group often becomes a family record, not simply a decorative piece. Choosing the right ribbon width, period-correct pattern and medal order gives the display lasting value.

Full-size, miniature and ribbon-bar widths

Ribbon width is one of the most practical checks when ordering. British full-size medal ribbons are commonly around 32mm wide, though exceptions exist. Miniature medal ribbons are typically narrower, often around 16mm. Ribbon bars are made to the dimensions required by the relevant uniform convention and are normally supplied mounted to a backing.

Measure an existing correct example if one is available, but do not rely on measurement alone. Some campaign and commemorative awards have distinctive widths, and foreign, United Nations and NATO awards may not always follow the same standards as British medals. When working with a mixed group, each medal should retain its appropriate ribbon rather than being forced into a uniform width for convenience.

Check the exact pattern, not just the colours

Many ribbons are recognisable at a glance: broad bands, fine edge stripes, central lines and particular combinations of red, blue, white, green or yellow. Yet the proportions of those stripes are part of the design. A reproduction ribbon with colours in the wrong order, an overly wide centre stripe or a missing edge detail will look noticeably wrong beside authentic-quality medals.

Period is equally relevant. Some awards have been issued in more than one form, while certain historical medals were worn with specific suspender styles, clasps or ribbon arrangements. A campaign medal may also carry one or more clasps showing theatres, operations or periods of service. The clasp belongs to the medal, but it affects the overall identification and presentation of the group.

If a ribbon has a rosette or emblem for ribbon-bar wear, check that it is authorised for that particular award and context. Devices can indicate a clasp, award level, mention in despatches or another distinction, depending on the service and period. They should never be added simply because they improve the appearance of a bar.

Establish the correct order of wear

Choosing the right ribbons is only half the task. They must appear in the correct order of wear. British orders of wear are governed by established precedence, and the position of an award depends on its category, date and recognition within the honours system. Commonwealth, United Nations, NATO and foreign awards can introduce further considerations.

For a full medal group, the usual British convention places medals in order from the wearer’s right to left. Viewed from the front, this means the earliest-precedence medal appears on the left-hand side of the group. Ribbon bars follow the same principle, although the physical layout can vary when more than one row is needed.

Do not arrange medals by the date a family member received them, by the conflict that feels most significant or by ribbon colour. That may create a meaningful personal display, but it is not correct ceremonial order. Where medals are to be worn for a parade, remembrance event or formal occasion, precedence should be checked carefully before mounting.

Foreign awards require particular care. Permission to wear them may depend on official approval, the nature of the event and the individual’s service status. A collector’s display can show a wider range of awards than may be permissible on uniform. If in doubt, preserve the historical group accurately for display while seeking formal guidance for ceremonial wear.

Choose quality that will hold its appearance

Ribbon is exposed to daylight, handling, damp and friction from medal suspensions. Older silk ribbons often fade or fray, while low-quality modern substitutes may have loose edges, uneven weaving or colours that lack definition. For a parade-ready group or a long-term display, select well-made ribbon with clear woven stripes and a finish suitable for mounting.

There is a balance to strike with original material. An original ribbon can be historically valuable, particularly on a named or researched medal group. Replacing it may reduce the object’s originality even if the replacement looks better. In that case, it can be preferable to retain the original ribbon with the medals and use a correct new ribbon for mounting or display, clearly keeping the two separate.

For replacement medals and replica groups, new ribbon is usually the appropriate choice. British-made, accurately patterned ribbon provides a clean and respectful result, particularly when paired with MoD Licensed Replica Medals or die-struck commemorative awards.

Decide whether court mounting is needed

A ribbon should support the medal properly, but the mounting method determines how the group wears. Swing mounting leaves each medal able to move independently. Court mounting secures the medals against a backing, creating a more stable and formal presentation. Both can be appropriate, depending on the medals, the occasion and service convention.

Court mounting often suits groups worn regularly at ceremonial events because the medals sit evenly and do not strike together as readily. It also gives a disciplined appearance where several awards are worn. However, it requires enough correctly matched ribbon to fold and secure the medals neatly. A poorly mounted group can obscure reverse details, sit at an awkward angle or make clasps difficult to see.

For inherited medals, professional mounting can also prevent unnecessary stress on aged ribbon and suspensions. Empire Medals can help ensure medals, ribbons, clasps and backing are brought together in a manner that respects established British presentation standards.

Preserve ribbons after choosing them

Once fitted, ribbons should be protected from direct sunlight, moisture and unnecessary handling. Avoid adhesive tape, pins pushed through the woven face or household cleaning products. These can stain fibres, leave permanent marks or weaken the material.

A framed group benefits from a clean, dry setting away from strong light. If medals are stored rather than displayed, wrap them in acid-free tissue and keep them flat where possible. Do not fold ribbon tightly for long periods, as hard creases can be difficult to remove and may affect how the medal hangs.

The best ribbon is not merely one that looks close enough. It is one that accurately represents the award, fits the intended style of wear and protects the dignity of the service it records. Taking time to verify those details gives a medal group the finish it deserves, whether it is worn on parade or kept for the next generation.