Correct kilt pin for white tie?

[Scot ish]

Hi all,

I'm going to a white tie/highland wear ball soon and am wondering what kilt pin is considered correct.

I have an old silver grouse foot pin and a plain (blanket?) sliver pin.

It's for a reeling ball so I realise the grouse may catch but that aside is it correct?

thanks!

Scot ish

[Tarheel]

If you're going to throw yourself about during a reel, (like our friend Panche does) the grouse pin is likely to snag (per your imagination). Otherwise, I think it is a great choice for the occasion if you keep your "swishing" to a minimum. The risk will be yours but I think the blanket pin will be under dressing for the event.
As always, I am open to other's opinions and comments.

[Liam]

I would think either would be fine, but the grouse foot is dressier.

[Jock Scot]

In truth, there is no such thing as a "correct " kilt pin for any civilian kilted event. Good taste and common sense are the only guidelines that you need to consider and not wearing one at all, is a perfectly satisfactory option.

[Scot ish]

In truth, there is no such thing as a "correct " kilt pin for any civilian kilted event. Good taste and common sense are the only guidelines that you need to consider and not wearing one at all, is a perfectly satisfactory option.

Good advice! However as the kilt is only 14oz and I'm not sure how much keeping down the apron will need while performing the required amount of spinning on a set clap and turn....

[OC Richard]

I'm not a fan of kilt pins in general, and when I was doing a lot of dancing (RSCDS) I didn't wear one.

I think a kilt pin would have to be very heavy to hold down a kilt... it's not what traditional kilt pins were designed to do, which is why they're nearly always light in weight.

When I'm piping in wind, where both of my hands are occupied and can't be used to hold down the kilt, I've found that a fairly big heavy long-hair sporran holds the kilt down pretty well.

About "correctness" in the post-1900 systematized Highland Dress which we view nowadays as being "traditional" plain blanket pins were worn in Day Dress while ornate silver pins, usually in the shape of weaponry, were worn in Evening Dress.

In the 19th century kilt pins only show up in a small minority of images of men in Highland Dress. Kilt pins being regarded as a standard part of Highland Dress strikes me as a 20th century fashion.