Matching metals?

[jumary]

I have acquired an old brass Army Air Corps pin for my kilt pin and found an old elm listed cap badge for my balmoral. I am retired USAF and like these items as a way to recognize the service. I have a black Argyll jacket and vest with chrome buttons. Is is ok to have these mismatched metals in my kilt outfit? I wish to keep the pin and badge, so does anyone recommend I get brass button on the jacket and waistcoat? Is this something that is ever done?

[Jock Scot]

I wouldn't loose any sleep over it if I were you.

[Nomad]

Agree with jock, the only area that I think mismatching metals might not work is if you have vastly different coloured sporran and belt metals - which is why I have two belts.

[Tarheel]

Different metals (brass with silver) don't seem to contradict unless they are in close proximity. The buttons of your jacket will be far enough from the kilt pin to not clash. I have the same pin and wear mine as a tie tack, without the backing. I do not wear mine with a jacket or vest containing metal buttons.
The chrome or silver cantle of a sporran would be far enough from the pin to be fine.

You'll get the hang of what fits to your tastes and notice the reactions of the public, once they become used to your being kilted.

[jumary]

Thanks everyone, I was just curious.

[OC Richard]

I will say that the traditional Highland Dress as it was systematised in the early 20th century called for silver ornaments in Evening Dress and brass in Day Dress.

So in Evening Dress the jacket buttons, dirk belt buckle and dirk (if worn), sporran fittings, kilt pin, sgain, shoe buckles, and brooch (if worn) were usually silver.

In Day Dress the belt buckle (if worn) and sporran fittings would usually be brass; however the cap badge would be silver. I suppose the proper kilt pin for traditional Day Dress would be a simple blanket pin; most of the old ones I've seen have been silver.

Being used to seeing things this way, for over 40 years, a brass-mounted sporran looks out of place to my eye in Evening Dress.

But as Jock says nobody is going to loose sleep over it.

It's different in the Army, where gilt and silver have always been freely mixed, even in the same item. (Bi-metal cap badges are not uncommon.)

It could make one's head spin trying to catalogue just what is gilt, and what is silver, in some military uniforms, say the Black Watch



Here's a Black Watch cap badge