Wearing the Kilt Pin

[lschwartz]

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.

A kilt pin, if it is heavy or bulky enough, can help keep the top apron down in a breeze.

Your kilt is designed to allow the two aprons to ride across each other to give you adequate freedom of movement when you need it. So, if you put the kilt pin through both aprons, you run the risk of stressing/tearing one or both if you spread your legs/knees when you sit down or climb up something.

Larry

[kingandrew]

It is true that kilt pins are primarily bling. Certainly a pin can help keep your apron down under mild wind conditions. But I am afraid that a kilt pin heavy enough to hold the apron down during heavy Rocky Mountain winds would be too heavy for the kilt apron to hold up.

I like the look of some of the creative and antique pins I've seen members share on various Xmarks threads. Currently, I only have a cheap claymore pin which I rarely wear. Someday I will get one of those nice silver ones and wear it when I'm going to an especially formal or festive occasion. But I'll be wearing it for looks, rather than to protect my modesty. I recommend anyone concerned about flashing the public to wear some appropriate and comfortable undergarment, even if this disappoints a few self-appoionted "kilt inspectors" here and there.

Andrew

[PatrickHughes123]

It is true that kilt pins are primarily bling. Certainly a pin can help keep your apron down under mild wind conditions. But I am afraid that a kilt pin heavy enough to hold the apron down during heavy Rocky Mountain winds would be too heavy for the kilt apron to hold up.

I like the look of some of the creative and antique pins I've seen members share on various Xmarks threads. Currently, I only have a cheap claymore pin which I rarely wear. Someday I will get one of those nice silver ones and wear it when I'm going to an especially formal or festive occasion. But I'll be wearing it for looks, rather than to protect my modesty. I recommend anyone concerned about flashing the public to wear some appropriate and comfortable undergarment, even if this disappoints a few self-appoionted "kilt inspectors" here and there.

Andrew

It's weird that you say that because I also have a standard kilt pin bought off the selection of kilt pins in a shop. It is a basic Claymore one. It was £15 GBP, that is about $22.50 USD, if my maths is correct. In school, when we did currency, we were taught that £1 GBP was $1.50 USD, I don't if that has changed since then or what, I'm just going off what I learned in school. Anyway, rambling on a bit here, my point is, my kilt pin is similar if not the same to yours.

Patrick Hughes

[Tobus]

In school, when we did currency, we were taught that £1 GBP was $1.50 USD, I don't if that has changed since then or what, I'm just going off what I learned in school.

The exchange rate between currencies fluctuates daily as a function of financial markets. At present, £1 GBP is equal to $1.33 USD. Watching and waiting for a favourable exchange rate can make for some pretty good deals if one is purchasing from a foreign country.

[Friday]

The kilt pin does not actually hold the apron down in the wind. That's a myth.

It could, but I have not figured out how to get the pin to stick to the back of a brick.

[Tobinn]

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.

I'm a newbie but I came to the same conclusion very quickly with regard to putting holes in my kilts. While I only have three Kilts ($100, $130 and $250) which may not be considered expensive it's still a lot of money to me and I've decided to just leave my one kilt pin in place (with the rubber band trick - it really does work - I tried taking it out with the rubber band in place and it's damned near impossible).

In an effort to make lemonade out of lemons, I did just that with a badge that I pried off of a kilt buckle which snapped (piece of crap!).

Anyway, I went on Ebay and bought a pack of 10 20mm by 2mm super magnet disks.

The badge has a round "leather" backing about two inches in diameter and the pewter decorative part is glued to the backing (it's actually pretty neat and includes the Welsh dragon, Rampart Lion and Irish Harp). I epoxied two of the magnets on the back of the badge (I'll have to take a few pics). I then use four other discs (two and two) to attach the badge to the kilt. I'm been wearing it often for about a month or so and it really does stay put. I've had a go at pulling it off on purpose replicating how a snag would feel and I don't think, under most circumstances that I'd miss it being pulled off.

If I had to do it over again I think that I'd try to find a 40mm by 4mm disk and use just two - one on the badge and one for the backing.

[PatrickHughes123]

If it is just jewelry, then how do you explain the basic safety pins that you get? They are even lighter than most kilt pins.

[Hirsty]

Personally I don't think a kilt looks right without a kilt pin in place. That is my personal opinion though.

[Jock Scot]

If it is just jewelry, then how do you explain the basic safety pins that you get? They are even lighter than most kilt pins.

These basic kilt pins, the "safety" AKA(Also Known As) "horse blanket" pins probably have their roots in the military as simple, sturdy and to a minor extent, functional bling items . The better ones are often made of silver and are quite costly and made by some of the most prestigious jewellers and are often worn as heirlooms and are heavier than the modern steel ones. I wear one that my Grandfather wore in France in WW1 made by Hamilton and Inches, for example. However there are four basic things that need to be remembered about kilt pins:-

1. Its not compulsory to wear one, as a civilian.
2. It is not wise to pin both layers of cloth together. Firstly, the kilt rarely hangs properly. Secondly, there is a danger, albeit slim in my experience, of ripping the kilt apron.
3. They are just a subtle(an oft forgotten point )piece of bling and are unlikely to be of any real use.
4. The position of the kilt pin along the apron edge is entirely down to the civilian individual.

[OC Richard]

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 without incident.

Hear, hear!

Now back when I was young and foolish I wore TWO of them things



But now, older and wiser, I realise that 1) they have no function and 2) they can potentially damage the kilt and 3) the fashion of wearing kilt pins is fairly recent.