A buttoned tab that sits on the shoulder of a garment.

also epaulette, "shoulder ornament on a uniform," 1783, from French épaulette "an epaulet" (16c.), diminutive of épaule "shoulder," from Old French espaule (12c.), from L [..]

a decoration on the shoulder of a jacket, like on a military uniform.

For a man to dream of wearing epaulets, if he is a soldier, denotes his disfavor for a time, but he will finally wear honors. For a woman to dream that she is introduced to a person wearing epaulets, denotes that she will form unwise attachments, very likely to result in scandal.   

 something that ornaments or protects the shoulder:  An epaulet is an ornamental fringed shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military uniform.  An epaulet can also be an ornamental strip or loop s [..]

a decorative fringed shoulder pad; a decorated loop or strip seamed across the shoulder of a coat or dress.

(n) adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder