Alternate Kilt Pin / Brooch Placement

[Rex_Tremende]

This is apt to stir up opinions on opposite ends of the spectrum, but I've been thinking lately about moving my kilt jewelry to a different spot.

It all started with Henry.

See how he wears that chunky, pillow-like pin up there just below his hip? I totally love that! It seems befitting of someone of elevated rank, a member of the royal household. Or maybe it's too heavy or valuable to be knocked around by the knees. Or maybe it serves the function of a beauty mark, drawing attention to a part of the body that your eye might otherwise pass over - or be conditioned to avoid. Status! Luxury! Temptation! Why, Paris Hilton is a Jenny-Come-Lately!

Then I noticed the rosettes on the Irish pipers' kilts:

All the way up along the edge. OK, so the kilt pin ceases to function as a weight when it's that high, and here it is for military decoration (or the equivalent).

Then Robert!

Dashing! The new picture of elegance. Debonaire! Dashing! A little bit Richard Branson, little Richard Burton. Ah - the kilt pin is up there where it commands attention.

I'm thinking I like this. But I'm also thinking that there's probably some rule that dictates it can't be there, unless it follows some other rule that allows it.

Like, it must not be pointy, lest you gouge your thigh. It should have a bit of heft to appear in balance with the body and like it deserves to be there. It can have a little more bling than what you'd sport on your knee.

OK, so I know there will be people who will say a kilt pin should only be down there around the knee - it should never be bling. That's fine. But does this have any appeal to others?

Regards,
Rex, on the hunt now for the perfect hip brooch...

[Bugbear]

Just as with everything else for me, Rex, part of me kind of likes the idea. * Sigh* Part of me likes the traditional giant safetypin down toward the knee too.

I just wonder if the higher pin will get in the way when sitting down...

* Don't worry, I will stick with the giant safetypin down by the knee. *

[Mael Coluim]

Robert Rules!

[SteveB]

Mael, you got my keyboard good on that one.
I think that the upper appearance of the kilt adornment would be fine, almost like the patch from Sport Kilt, or puting one of Rocky's up there. Probably would not look good on a Dress McLeod....

[Big Mikey]

I like it! But then again, I have also been known to wear two kilt pins at once, two badges on my glengarry, a whisky in one hand and a pint in the other, you get the idea. If it goes against convention, I'll probably like it.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Thank you Rex for posting this new and very interesting thread.

I think you made your point very clear. Much more than I ever could with my strange English(e) !

Well, here goes ! I would like to present my contribution to this “brooch revival” !

Here is a Miracle brooch I am now using on a light tweed kilt.






These are very affordable Miracle brooches. The tweeds are from Kingcraig Fabrics in Brora, Sutherland. (en Ecosse, bien-sûr !)






Inside this vintage brooch we find the word Jacobite. I use it on my MacKinnon Red Modern.






This very special silver brooch shows a mermaid. I wear it with my Robertson Red Modern when performing my new stories on Celtic mermaids.








This brooch will go with my “Valentine promised gift” from my Lady sweet: a superb 16 oz. Robertson Hunting Modern Double Box Pleated Kilt. The fabric is from Marton Mills.



There are many other brooches I dream about, but I’m afraid they will have to join the wish list.


Best,

Robert

[Bugbear]

The more I think about it, Rex, the more it seems that the pin would need to be bigger when worn higher like you said. I don't have anything to test it with, but I still worry that it would get in the way.

Guess if it were a soft rosette, and not a metal pin, it would not cause much of a problem, though.

I have a skeleton key that belonged to my grandmother, and I have put it on a red ribbon with a simple bow at the top. Something like that might be interesting to wear in the way you describe.

[nab2488]

As I am still new to kilts. What is the difference in pins and brooches? Are they an interchangeable either or thing and usually are located in the same place? Or can they be worn at the same time in 2 locations? I don't have any kilt pin or brooch yet so I would like to know when I do get one.

[Malcolm MacWilliam]

I think it's a great look! in 18th century kilting, there is no kilt pin, so I"ve never worn one until the last year when I started to put together a modern kilt kit (thanks to X Marks the Scot getting me interested in it). I only have one pin I use, actually picked it up at a yard sale.....it's a sceptor with a crown at the top, although I have other pins, etc. I could wear. I really like the idea of the pin or broach up higher on the kilt. And Robert!!! THANKS for the fashion show.....WOW, great outfits!
And, I'll probably show my ignorance here. Who is Henry in the photo?

Malcolm MacWm., 42nd RHR GrenCoy, ASM British Brigade

[McMurdo]

I thought I'd post this picture here as it shows that it need not be a brooch, even the blanket pin can be worn high.