Kilt pins are decorative pins worn on the lower front of kilts and were popularized in the Victorian era. They are not meant to hold the skirt closed, but rather provide weight and decoration. Improper placement can damage the kilt. Pins come in various designs and metals and are affordable. They add interest to the already fascinating attire of kilt wearers.
Kilt pins are, simply put, pins worn on the lower front skirt of kilts. Though popular now, pins are a relatively recent addition to kilt attire. Folklore suggests that use began in the Victorian era, providing a delightful anecdote about its origins.
During a visit to Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria inspected the famous Douglas Highlanders, a regiment known for its bravery. The wind blew fiercely and a young soldier found it very difficult to keep his position. Skirts are frequently worn without undergarments, and the queen noted the soldier’s struggle to appear modest and keep still. Taking a brooch from her own clothing, she gently pinned the soldier’s skirt.
Although this tale suggests that the function of the skirt pin is to hold the skirt closed at the bottom, in reality, skirt pins are more decorative in nature. In fact, these pieces are typically worn on just one half of the skirt and are not pinned across the two layers of the skirt to tie them together. Positioned correctly, they provide some weight to the bottom of the skirt, but modesty is most effectively achieved by securing the lowest strap of the garment.
Incorrect pin placement causes two problems. Pinning through both layers of a kilt creates a rumpled look. Also, securing both aprons can damage the material. Since the most expensive skirts are generally at least 100 US dollars (USD) and the most expensive can exceed 500 US dollars (USD), replacement can be expensive.
Skirt pins vary in appearance. Its definition largely depends on the function. I mean, anything that pins a kilt on is a kilt needle. The most basic use would be a large safety pin, but again care must be taken with the type and sharpness of the pin so that the skirt does not get damaged. Traditionally though, most pins look like kilts or swords with decorative hilts. Hilts may be representative of a particular clan, family crest, or organization. For example, each branch of the United States military has a designated pin.
Other kilt clips have grips with Celtic symbols or refer to ancient Scottish clan designs. The pins are available in different metals, mainly pewter and silver, although some are gold or gold. Hilts can be elaborate jewelery affairs, or quite understated in design.
The shorter skirt pins are approximately 2 inches (5.08 cm) long, while the longer ones are approximately 4.5 inches (11.43 cm). Kilt wearers without affiliation to a particular group have a wealth of options available to them, including pins representing their different origins in the British Isles. Irish, Welsh, Scottish and English people can all find pins unique to their country and traditions.
The prices for skirt pins are quite reasonable, most ranging from 20 to 70 US dollars (USD). There are certainly pins that will cost you more than these prices. But even the most cost-conscious can find a beautiful and suitable pin for a small outlay.
Although skirt pins do not have the long historical tradition of some other aspects of skirt attire, they are now a necessary piece. Whether representing affiliation with a particular group, or a unique personal choice, the kilt pin creates another point of interest in the already fascinating attire of the kilt wearer.
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