Plaid Brooch with the great kilt

[Orvis]

When I was a member of a group that portrayed the 77th (Montgomery's) Highlanders in the F&I War, and a battalion company of the 42nd RHR during the American Revolution, I wore my belted plaid with a loop to fix over the shoulder strap button, rather than using a brooch or pin. Now, I portray a Jacobite Highlander of the Appin Regiment in 1745, and I usually use a bodkin to secure the top of my belted plaid to the left shoulder of my jacket/waistcoat, or across the chest (if wearing only a shirt). Most of the time around camp, I won't even secure the top of my plaid in the "up" position, but will let it hang down behind me over my waist belt.

Although 19th c. fancy plaid brooches and medieval penanular brooches are not authentic to the 18th c but are available inexpensively, I usually buy them only to get the brass or iron pin, which I use as a bodkin. Another suggestion for making your own bodkin is to use steel or brass double-ended knitting needles, one end of which can be bent under heat into a circular pattern (or similar). Again, fairly inexpensive. I've learned to avoid the blacksmith-made penanulars, since the pins on them are usually quite thick and also are twisted - both of which can damage the fabric of your plaid or jacket over time.