There was a time – and that time still reigns supreme in a few small circles – when badges meant status. In cub scouts and the military, the number or type of badges you proudly wear still signify your accomplishments, and therefore your status. Even the modern day tuxedo was styled after military uniforms, to provide the non-military gentleman with a get-up that signified he was noble. Dukes wore sashes made of jewels, similar to modern day pageant queens – fanciful badges denoting status.

But for the most part, and on most occasions, few of us wear badges anymore…