kilt pins

iain · Post by **iain** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:58 pm

anyone know of a good source for kilt pins?

skirttron · Post by **skirttron** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:35 pm

I get mine in Scotland, and contrary to the official rule, I pin right through since this works better in breezy weather.

Post by **Milfmog** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:05 pm

Ebay works for me....

Ian.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:20 pm

skirttron wrote:I get mine in Scotland, and contrary to the official rule, I pin right through since this works better in breezy weather.

Official rule

I take it you pin the apron to the underneath part? Makes sense. I've a 21st Century kilt and only put the pin on the apron, just to save the material from getting worn by constant pinning and unpinning.

Charlie

Departed Member · Post by **Departed Member** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:12 pm

My 'posh' one came from Art Pewter Silver Ltd. Excellent variety (but that could be because they made the one I was after!), good quality.

Big and Bashful · Post by **Big and Bashful** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:03 pm

What's this official rule? I have never seen any guidance on pinning the kilt, through or otherwise. What is the official view then?

Post by **Milfmog** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:27 pm

Big and Bashful wrote:What's this official rule? I have never seen any guidance on pinning the kilt, through or otherwise. What is the official view then?

I resent the very idea of "official rules" about how to dress, that's only one step away from "guys can't wear skirts".

However, at least two of the kiltmakers websites I have visited over the last few months have said that "traditionally" the pin should only go through the front apron so that the weight of the pin holds the fabric down but the two aprons can still move relative to one another.

Another site credited the "invention" of the kilt pin to Queen Victoria who apparently used a hat pin to reduce the embarrassment of a young soldier on parade one windy day. I can't imagine that she (or her assistant) would have done anything other than pin both aprons together.

I guess it's a case of whatever floats your boat...

Have fun,

Ian.

Big and Bashful · Post by **Big and Bashful** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:18 pm

Milfmog,
Calm yourself old bean, I didn't mean to allude to suggest the merest hint of a written code of conduct for kilt pins.
I normally pinned through the outer apron myself, but have been know to use the power of the pin to help tame an errant apron in inclement conditions. There's nothing worse than an unruly flap when the wind is up the khyber!
The kilt can be a bit of an attention seeker, a strong breeze and getting in and out of cars or even just walking around a service station has proved to be interesting to say the least. I don't use the pin much because I don't want it to catch and possibly tear the fabric of the kilt. I am just curious to see how other kilterers manage their kilts with the gift of wind in their willows.

iain · Post by **iain** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:32 pm

I understand that the pin is only pinned to the top layer. its function is to weight it down and stop it flapping about. if you pin the two layers together, it will likely tear someplace..

but success at last!! we got that "fem shoes for men" thread title off the front page of this site!!

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:40 am

Merlin, do you know where to get Art Pewter silver kilt pins in England? I looked at their website but distributers seemed to all be abroad despite being a UK company.
I've yet to get a kiltpin, but ebay seems to be a big source of them. However they all seem to be a bit 'samey' and not as classy as I like.

Jeff.

Departed Member · Post by **Departed Member** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 7:46 pm

Hi Jeff! It came from one of the Scottish Mail Order companies. I'm not sure whether it was Scotch Corner Ltd. of Crieff ([url]http://www.scotch-corner.co.uk)[/url], who I have dealt with before (1999), or someone else... I'll try & find the other delivery note...............

iain · Post by **iain** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:40 pm

By the way, anyone who participated in the Kilt Walk recently in Edinburgh got a free Kilt Pin in the shape of an extended triangle with "Kilt Walk" inscribed on it.

So there are some interesting customisations available from various sources.

raindog · Post by **raindog** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:03 pm

Thanks Merlin!
I checked out the 'clans' link on the scotch corner page and they have some kilt pins that look like the silver pewter companies items.
I particularly like the miniature dirk kilt pins...Very nifty:)

Jeff.

skirttron · Post by **skirttron** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:43 pm

To belatedly reply to those who asked, and based on advice I received from a highland attire shop in Scotland, the official way to use a kilt pin is to pin only through the apron, not to pin through to the layer of fabric underneath. This means the kilt is not pinned closed, but the pin acts as a kind of weight.
I break this rule and pin through to the layer underneath, because it helps prevent the Marylin Monroe effect when it is windy. There are two things to be aware of when pinning through:
1) If you leave the pin in, be careful not to rip your kilt by standing on it when putting it back on.
2) Position the pin by standing as straight as possible while pinning through, otherwise the cloth will pinch up or the pin will be badly positioned.

Neither of these issues apply when pinning just one layer, and of course some other necessities can become a bit easier if you prefer not to do a can-can impersonation when all the cubicles are occupied and you can't wait.

skirtcafe.org

kilt pins

kilt pins

Official Rule on Kilt Pinning