One thing we're noticing at this summer's festivals and concerts are crazy creative patches all over jackets and denim. Both nostalgic (no doubt you had a few as a teen) and trendy, they look good on several of our favorite articles of clothing, adding a bit of personalization to your staple pieces.

Here are a few things to consider as you decide where to plant a badge and some of our favorite patched styles.

SHOP: Topman denim jacket | Levi's Vintage Clothing jean jacket

Placing patches on a garment is like decorating a room. You want balance and flow, not chaos or clutter. This is good multiple patch placement on a Topman jacket on the left: a coherent cluster. Not too spread out, but with enough space to breathe and all "above the fold" so to speak. On the right we see no patches on the Levi's Vintage Clothing jacket. It looks amazing, obviously. But could this piece accept patches? Yes. Finesse that running stitch and don't trip that you'll ruin the jacket. You won't.

SHOP: Alpha MA-1 bomber jacket | Topman M-65 field jacket

Another patch placement concept: an anchor patch in the top area of the jacket. In the case of the Alpha Industries jacket, it's a brand name where brand names often go. (The company also supplies the U.S. Military, in which case there's no brand, you get your name there.) With the Topman jacket on the right, we have another instance of patchlessness that is clearly not a travesty since the jacket looks great. But the design invites patchworking. M-65 jackets and their cousin, the shirt jacket, accommodate patches well on the front upper pocket and also on the outside sleeve directly above the bicep (something military and varsity jackets share; use this Opening Ceremony piece to guide you). Again don't worry you'll mess up the jacket. Just be careful with your stitches.

SHOP: Alexander McQueen patch sneaker | Alexander McQueen patch slip-on

The DIY application of patches to shoes, however, is risky. Be confident with a thin, pliable patch (shoes need to bend) and a canvas shoe like a Vans slip-on or Converse Chuck Taylor. You can use these McQueen sneakers as inspiration. But if you're not messing with canvas and a super soft patch, and you're trying to stick a big needle through shoe leather to affix your adornment, we cannot advise that.

SHOP: Topman ripped slim shorts with badges | PRPS Barracuda straight leg jeans

Two more patch DON'TS to think about: patching over existing, factory-installed patches-don't do it. Don't buy one of these Goorin Brothers patch hats and sew a patch over the patch. That would look bad and be bulky. And don't patch over holes in pre-distressed garments. That is tacky on grounds of fraudulence. Do not patch over the hole in the knee as if you are fixing something. Not that you would. But sometimes we have to say these things.

However you approach patches, have fun and good luck. You can get cool patches at most Army-Navy Surplus stores, flea markets, garage sales and maybe even your childhood bedroom. As a final note we'll leave you with this Put This On blog post, which opens the can of worms that is patches on the elbows of blazers and sport coats.

-Andrew Matson