I have always used that expression - your medals are showing - when DH has inadvertently failed to check his trouserage. I once had occasion to use it to an officer I worked for - the most immaculately dressed man I have ever met - who I passed in a corridor on his way back from a lunch at the Cavalry Club with a bit of his shirt peeking out of his flies. His reaction was not to bat an eyelid but just to tip his bowler look straight ahead and mutter "noted Corporal!"
We used to say 'its snowing in Paris'. If a man's flies were inadvertently open my Dad's generation would say ' you're wearing your medals I see'. Bet there are many variations on that.