Wearing the Kilt Pin

**Manu** · 24th May 18, 09:45 PM

The proper way to put it on is through the first layer only. There, you answered your own question

pinning both layers will only restrict the free flow of the fabric and make look odd, and like everyone els3 said, the underapron takes care of your modesty.

**FossilHunter** · 24th May 18, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Manu

The proper way to put it on is through the first layer only. There, you answered your own question

pinning both layers will only restrict the free flow of the fabric and make look odd, and like everyone els3 said, the underapron takes care of your modesty.

Not only restrict movement but probably result in rips and tears where the pin is attached.

**Father Bill** · 25th May 18, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by PatrickHughes123

Aren't you a priest man? What is with the sexual joke?

Anyway, what I meant to say was 'flapping'. When a wind goes by, the metal pin stops it from blowing all over the place. I've seen it.

I was a man for half a century before I was a priest.

**figheadair** · 25th May 18, 03:45 AM

The kilt pin is a bit of decorative 'man-bling'. Absolutely no reason not to wear one but it's not a requirement and serves no practical function in modern Highland Dress. I haven't work one in 40+ years and somehow have survived wihout incident.

20180522-Caledonian Club.jpg

**Profane James** · 25th May 18, 04:36 AM

I'm on the 'don't wear one' end of the spectrum. I can't bring myself to stabbing a hole in the tartan! Although, I DO have a few for posterity.
Now, I do believe that some here have devised a magnetic version that does not create a hole, FYI.

**Tobus** · 25th May 18, 04:44 AM

It's true that the weight of a kilt pin can help the apron corner from flapping up every time the wind catches it. But only if you wear a heavy kilt pin, and wear it all the way down there at the corner. That seems to be the modern trend, but it's not necessarily where the tradition of wearing kilt pins came from. It's not about "modesty protection", since as others pointed out, the outer apron flipping up won't expose anything underneath except the inner apron. Pinning it through both layers will drastically restrict the movement of the kilt layers over each other when walking, sitting, etc.

Kilt pins were originally worn much higher up, and were intended as a closure item when putting on the kilt (for that reason they did go through both layers). Today we have straps and buckles for that, and the kilt pin is merely a vestigial decorative bauble. It needn't be pinned through anything but the outer apron.

Personally, I usually only wear a lightweight "blanket pin" type of kilt pin, and I wear it at least a third of the way up the apron. It's not there for weight or closure, it's merely decoration. Having the corner of my kilt apron flapping in the breeze isn't a big deal, and I consider it just part of wearing the kilt. I've never worried about any exposure on that side. It's usually when a big gust comes through and flares my pleats up in the back that I worry whether anyone caught a view of the full moon.

**Jock Scot** · 25th May 18, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

Remember to put the pin through a piece of rubber to keep it from being lost if it ever comes open.

A very wise and sensible thing to do, particularly when combined with the pin "catch" being placed on the downward end of the pin when placed on the kilt.

**Katzbalger** · 25th May 18, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by PatrickHughes123

Aren't you a priest man? What is with the sexual joke?

As someone that comes from a VERY strict Roman Catholic family (I am the rebel) full of priests, monks and nuns - they are human first.

I do not trust a man that is "holier than thou" - and knowing that the Reverend here is not that, I as a Heathen would gladly confide in him and come to him in times of mental health, because I know I am not being judged.

Original topic, was out in high winds yesterday and no pin - it is just flash, though people got back shots.

**Father Bill** · 25th May 18, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Katzbalger

As someone that comes from a VERY strict Roman Catholic family (I am the rebel) full of priests, monks and nuns - they are human first.

I do not trust a man that is "holier than thou" - and knowing that the Reverend here is not that, I as a Heathen would gladly confide in him and come to him in times of mental health, because I know I am not being judged.

Original topic, was out in high winds yesterday and no pin - it is just flash, though people got back shots.

Thank you for your kind words.

**LKM** · 25th May 18, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Just one. I’ve never had an issue with the aprons flapping and that’s even with the lighter PV fabric of my kilt.

I wish that was the case in the Rocky Mountains. In most parts of Colorado the kilt apron will flap in most gusts of wind, heavy weight wool or PV, and the kilt pin does nothing to hold it down. It might have once been the idea that adding some weight would help in wind, yet testing the idea shows that it does not help. This is especially true if the wind gusts over 30 mph (48 kph). I think most people will agree that this myth has been busted.

If you choose to wear a kilt pin, where it in a placement that looks good to you. It's jewelry; what jewelry we choose and where we wear it is a matter of personal choice.