Kilt Pin - Optional?

[SMcKinlay]

As a new kilt wearer, I am curious about the kilt pin. Is it pretty universally worn? Is being without one a glaring omission, particularly in a formal setting?


Scott

[Nile]

Scott,

The kilt pin, theoretically, serves a practical function of weighing the outer apron of the kilt down, helping to prevent inadvertent lifting of the apron; it is not intended to attache the apron to the kilt. I would not say that it is universally worn but rather, that it is traditional worn and by a high percentage of kilt wearers.

I believe that it's not really required to ware one but it is quite acceptable to wear one. Now, the kind you wear is another story... from a simple blanket pin to a gaudy jeweled Victorian or perhaps an animal part (horn, claw etc.), there are many, many choices.

Nile

[Dale Seago]

In my experience, people will often notice if you're wearing one, and some pins may attract more interest than others.

On the other hand, again in my experience so far, no one has ever noted the absence of a kilt pin.

My own usual preference is to not wear one.

[TheOfficialBren]

In my experience, people will often notice if you're wearing one, and some pins may attract more interest than others.

On the other hand, again in my experience so far, no one has ever noted the absence of a kilt pin.

My own usual preference is to not wear one.

***

A nice kilt pin may or may not illicit a nice comment but the absence of one is never chided. I so very rarely wear one that I may as well say that I don't wear them.

from Southern California!!!

Hey! I recognise that thread!

[MacGumerait]

Scott ,

I agree with others here , most do wear a kilt pin ... but... it's not required nor frowned upon if one doesn't . If you choose not to wear one , I doubt that anyone would pay much notice or comment about it .

If you do choose to wear one , there are many types and tastes .

Here is a thread by English Bloke on kilt pins that was started back in 2011 that is still recieving posts today . It will kind of give you an idea of what the members here use as kilt pins . Some traditional , some not . Enjoy .

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...lt-pins-64703/

Best , Mike

[Jock Scot]

The choice is yours and either choice will not be wrong.

[McElmurry]

Here is a recent discussion.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ilt-pin-78717/

[SMcKinlay]

Thank you for the answers, gentlemen!

@McElmurry: Great thread! Thanks for the link. I think I have a pretty good idea on it now.


Scott

[OC Richard]

As a new kilt wearer, I am curious about the kilt pin. Is it pretty universally worn? Is being without one a glaring omission, particularly in a formal setting?


Scott

I very rarely wear one, mainly because I don't like the idea of punching holes in a perfectly good (and expensive) kilt.

Kilt pins have always been merely optional.

In the Army, of the five old kilted Scottish Highland regiments, only The Gordon Highlanders wore them.

In The Highlanders of Scotland, a collection of portraits painted in the 1860s, that portion of the kilt is visible on 34 of the subjects, and of the 34 only six are wearing kilt pins. (This is especially ironic because these portraits are often accused of depicting Highland Dress more elaborately than it actually was.)

[chewse]

I truly do like wearing a kilt pin; in fact, in most instances, I'll wear two kilt pins. I have a variety of kilt pins that make it onto my kilts throughout the year. I do have a tragic story however. My wife made a surprise purchase for me at the Scottish Tartans Museum a year or so ago while we were traveling through North Carolina. She bought me a beautiful antique sailor’s anchor kilt pin. I just loved (past tense) this kilt pin and wore it on many occasions. Unfortunately, the anchor part of the pin dislodged from the pin itself and fell somewhere on the grounds of a festival. I never did find it. So, should I ever get another precious kilt pin again (or fragile kilt pin), I think I’ll be especially careful while wearing it on my kilt.