Aiguillette is made from the laces that are used to fasten armor plates together. This implies that the breast and back plates would be merged together on one side with just very short cord loops referred to as hinge while on the other side, attached by a longer and more flowery merged to one so as to support the arm defenses. The armor them become more decorative and less practical, the same is with the ties. Therefore, the saying that says aiguillettes came from aides-de-camp and wearing a pencil at the cord end that is hanging from the shoulder is of no basis.
Aiguillette is an ornamental braided cord that is worn on the shoulder and it is very common among the military forces. The amazing part of this ornament is that the status, color, style and color of the aiguillette can easily signify the duty and rank of the person wearing it. If it is worn with academic dress, it shows the person wearing it has got an honor.
In other word,
aiguillette can be called a decorative tip used in finishing braid or a cord. It is such an embellishment that was commonly used on clothing in the 16th and 17th centuries. Aiguillette is designed from different range of materials but depends on organization and color needed. Both silver and gold aiguillettes are often made from wire while other materials used in making aiguillette include polyester, zari, silk or nylon. Zari is a tinsel thread that is used to weave and this is made up of a cheaper center material that has metallic coating while the braided cord is completed with metal tips that is normally brass or gold. Aiguillette is made separately to the uniform and then fixed as required by using the button loops that links with the buttons or hooks of the uniform. When viewed very well, one cannot emphatically state the difference between the
bullion badge and aiguillette.
