Clan badge as kilt pin?

[MacSimoin]

Thanks all. I've never even held a "real" kilt pin, so I have no idea of the relative weight of the two. I have a typical pewter badge (that I got on eBay from a fellow in New Zealand). It doesn't seem heavy enough to cause a sag, and I don't use it while hiking or any time that it may snag on something.
Bill

Bill,

PM me your address and I can send the extra kilt pin to you if you want it. Here's what it looks like (it's actually about half the size of this photo):

[macwilkin]

Another option for a kilt pin is the large "safety pin". You can usually find these at fabric stores for around $3-5 dollars.

http://www.doyle.com.au/images/kilt_pin.jpg

These kilt pins are based on the ones worn by the Highland regiments. I like them for their simple design.

Cheers,

Todd

[MacSimoin]

Here's a current eBay auction for this style of pin:

KILT PINS 76 mm Scottish Safety Pins Large N/P

FYI, 76mm is about 3 inches.

[Tartan Hiker]

So since the "safety pin" style are so light, would they not be intended to go through both aprons, rather than just the outer?

[macwilkin]

So since the "safety pin" style are so light, would they not be intended to go through both aprons, rather than just the outer?

Never put a kilt pin through both aprons, regardless of the pin. It will run the "hang" of the kilt. The pin should only be worn on the top apron.

Todd

[MacSimoin]

Never put a kilt pin through both aprons, regardless of the pin...

Absolutely correct.

[pdcorlis]

If you live in the states the "safety" style kilt pins made by Dritz are available at Joanns fabrics in both gold and silver for about $2 for two.

[furrycelt]

Never put a kilt pin through both aprons, regardless of the pin. It will run the "hang" of the kilt. The pin should only be worn on the top apron.

I know this has come up in other threads. I am still surprised to read this. I have never known anyone to put a kilt pin thru just the outer apron (until I came to his forum). I will concede that I cannot find fault with the arguements for not pinning both aprons together. However, I pin them both together and the world hasn't come to an end (not yet at least).

-ian

[Cawdorian]

Look out for the Tartan Police!

[macwilkin]

I know this has come up in other threads. I am still surprised to read this. I have never known anyone to put a kilt pin thru just the outer apron (until I came to his forum). I will concede that I cannot find fault with the arguements for not pinning both aprons together. However, I pin them both together and the world hasn't come to an end (not yet at least).

-ian

When I first started wearing a kilt, I made the mistake of pinning both aprons together with the kilt pin -- and I did noticed that it tended to ruin the "hang" of the kilt.

Thompson discusses this in his book; whilst it seems natural to want to pin both aprons together as a means of "security", a good kilt pin, combined with the weight of the wool apron, will hold both down.

At one time, kilts were fastened with pins and/or rosettes. Today, the kilt pin has become more ornamental, as with the rosettes that the Black Watch wear on their aprons, or the "kilt panel" of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

Of course, you may have a different experience -- and far be it from me to say what is right for me will be right for you. Based on my experience (and others that I know), I would strongly recommend against it.

If you have good, secure straps, you don't need to pin both aprons together.

Regards,

Todd