Across the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century, it was traditional for a young man to give his date a chrysanthemum corsage to wear to their high school homecoming game. Since then, this simple practice has nearly disappeared everywhere except in Texas, where it has instead evolved into something much more complex. Today’s typical Texas “mum” is a full-body adornment of artificial flowers, ribbons, and embellishments that is substantial in both proportion and meaning to those who create, give, and wear it.