Badges, Patches & Pins for Your Tams, Caps, Hats & Kilts

**Thomas H** · 23rd January 12, 09:22 AM

OK ,I have to ask

But is it OK to wear a badge or patch -if you
were not millitery or in any way apart of that pin or patch ?

I only ask because there are pins that I like ,and I am not millitray.

I just like the pins IE the saint andrews pin with the cross or a Black watch
pin.

>>>> Be nice I am asking first

**auld argonian** · 23rd January 12, 10:48 AM

Tons of nice stuff but let's hope that those who buy any of it are entitled to wear them. I still don't get the idea of people who were not in a unit or branch wearing those insignia. Sorry, don't buy that "to honor ______" concept either.

Best

AA

**Woodsheal** · 23rd January 12, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Tons of nice stuff but let's hope that those who buy any of it are entitled to wear them. I still don't get the idea of people who were not in a unit or branch wearing those insignia. Sorry, don't buy that "to honor ______" concept either.

Best

AA

Oops! Guilty as charged. I wear this badge on one of my bonnets, simply because I like it:

It was a temporary WWII formation that didn't exist for long - a year or two. I could wear a US Army badge instead, but they're just not nearly as cool...!

**auld argonian** · 23rd January 12, 11:33 AM

Well, to tell the truth, I wore a set of my dad's small USAAF wings on the lapel of my jacket back when I was in high school...but I've been pretty careful about anything like that since I came to understand the real significance of being a member of the service.

...of course, re-enactors can certainly be excused...

Best

AA

**Thomas H** · 23rd January 12, 11:37 AM

I was thinking -as long as someone did not say they belong to a _______.
They could wear something ( Because they like it ) .

I like the old -Cameran badge with the St. andrews cross on it .

I would not say I was a part of the group but I would be proud to wear it.

I put the

... as I know this is a touchy subject.

But if it cause's problems ,I am sorry. I just like the badges and I am not going to wear them to a highland game as I know it would cause trouble.

But as far as wearing them around ,It should not be a Problem .

**O'Searcaigh** · 23rd January 12, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Tons of nice stuff but let's hope that those who buy any of it are entitled to wear them. I still don't get the idea of people who were not in a unit or branch wearing those insignia. Sorry, don't buy that "to honor ______" concept either.

Best

AA

*** and especially those who would wear the one for the Soviet Navy!

**OC Richard** · 25th January 12, 06:28 AM

I myself prefer simplicity with Highland Dress.

Here's an example of how I dressed last year at a Burns Supper I piped at

and at an outdoor wedding a few years ago (that's the Pacific Ocean in the background)

and at a funeral

Save for the clan badge on my Glengarry, I have no pins of any sort, not even a kilt pin. I don't like the idea of punching holes in a $500 kilt!

Do whatever you like, but I myself think "less is more".

About the wearing of military capbadges by civilians, it used to be very common for civilian pipe bands to wear military-style uniforms complete with military capbadges and collardogs. This hasn't ceased and a couple years ago a civilian Grade One pipe band (from Australia or New Zealand as I recall) competed at The Worlds wearing Cameron Highlanders capbadges.

I myself wouldn't do that nowadays, but back in the early 1980s I played in a band which wore Full Dress based on the uniform of The Gordon Highlanders.

**Chas** · 27th January 12, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Tons of nice stuff but let's hope that those who buy any of it are entitled to wear them. I still don't get the idea of people who were not in a unit or branch wearing those insignia. Sorry, don't buy that "to honor ______" concept either.

Best

AA

I agree 100%

In the UK, wearing someone else's insignia would be seen as a bit tacky and not in any way an honour.

Young boys are often seen on Remembrance Sunday (or Remembrance Parades) wearing the full size medals and/or headdress of a deceased relative (brother, father, uncle or grandfather) on the 'wrong' (that is to say their right) side.
But they only wear them until such time as they are old enough to earn their own.
18 - OK, 21 - just, 25+ in need of a good talking-to.

Wearing a capbadge as kiltpin is acceptable. Wearing a capbadge as a capbadge is a bit dubious. I still wear my RAF capbadge as a capbadge.

The exception being disbanded or historical organisations - I don't know of anyone who would object to those being worn.

Regards

Chas

**Dixiedog** · 23rd January 12, 11:34 AM

You know... That is a Very Good Question !!! I am Retired Military and I Personally think that wearing an Organizational Badge is OK as long as it is being worn with civilian attire and not being worn with, or as part of a uniform. Take for instance, people Wearing the same type Ball Cap that the Police or Fire Department wear with the NYPD or FDNY Badges on it. As long as the Caps are worn with Civialian Attire, there is no problem. Or even a Hunter using a USMC Cap with the imprinted Globe & Anchor when he's out hunting in Jeans and an Old Field Jacket that he may have got at an Army / Navy Store.

Remember now, we are only talking about Organizational Badges... Not Personal or Unit Awards... (Medal of Honor - Silver Star - Distinguished Flying Cross - Purple Heart, etc...etc).

So I guess it all depends on what the Badge or Patch applies too and under what conditions that it is worn.

Later Folks...

Originally Posted by Thomas H

OK ,I have to ask

But is it OK to wear a badge or patch -if you
were not millitery or in any way apart of that pin or patch ?

I only ask because there are pins that I like ,and I am not millitray.

I just like the pins IE the saint andrews pin with the cross or a Black watch
pin.

>>>> Be nice I am asking first