Clan Crest on a Kilt---Where?

[macwilkin]

I hear what you're saying Jock but having worn a traditional kilt in a very (very) hot place I can understand the attraction of a light weight cotton-canvas kilt on purely practical grounds. I don't wear one meeself, I have one as part of my collection and I occasionally wear it inside the mansion but I haven't yet ventured out of doors in it and doubt I ever will.

That said I can also appreciate that those with a Scottish connection may still wish to advertise the fact by means of a badge. This seems to fit the purpose adequately. Don't get me wrong. Utility Kilts are not Scottish Kilts but are, all the same, often worn by people with a sense of Scottishness in them.

Point taken, but respectfully -- I think the issue I have, as a traditionalist, is that a bullion wire badge is traditionally worn on a blazer/club jacket. You do see some folks in the North America that wear them on day wear jackets with their kilt, but to me, it almost seems a bit much -- a blazer badge really belongs on a blazer. I would think an embroidered patch of the clan badge would look better on a modern kilt.

But again, this is just my opinion only. I can't speak for others.

T.

[BraveheartedO-fWolf]

I hear what you're saying Jock but having worn a traditional kilt in a very (very) hot place I can understand the attraction of a light weight cotton-canvas kilt on purely practical grounds. I don't wear one meeself, I have one as part of my collection and I occasionally wear it inside the mansion but I haven't yet ventured out of doors in it and doubt I ever will.

That said I can also appreciate that those with a Scottish connection may still wish to advertise the fact by means of a badge. This seems to fit the purpose adequately. Don't get me wrong. Utility Kilts are not Scottish Kilts but are, all the same, often worn by people with a sense of Scottishness in them.

Therein lies my reasoning. I want to show my heritage while wearing a kilt that I feel comfortable in. I am very proud of my heritage and mean no disrepect.

[zirrow]

... The badge that you and FM describe is in fact, a blazer badge. In the old days, bullion regimental/school/organisational badges were sewn directly to a blazer. ...

Forgive my ignorance, but are we talking about a blazer that is worn with trousers or with a kilt?

[Downunder Kilt]

I believe the term blazer refers to one that your wear with trousers, as they almost always had patch pockets for the L/H/S chest pocket and this would be where you would attach it. I have not seen any kilt jackets with a patch chest pocket.

[zirrow]

Ok, so then we are talking about taking a clan item and putting on a non-Highland dress article of clothing to begin with. How is it any worse to put it on a UK versus a blazer?

[macwilkin]

Ok, so then we are talking about taking a clan item and putting on a non-Highland dress article of clothing to begin with. How is it any worse to put it on a UK versus a blazer?

I wouldn't say it's any "worse", but something to keep in mind: a blazer badge was designed for a specific garment, namely the blazer/club jacket, regardless of what emblem (regiment, society, school, etc.) is depicted on the badge.

Also, remember that the bullion badge depicting a clansman's badge (and worn with Highland rig) is usually seen among the diaspora, so it really doesn't have a place among traditional Highland attire anyway. That's not to say it's wrong, just that it is a relatively recent innovation, and largely found overseas, as opposed to Scotland itself.

BUT, the blazer/club jacket is found the UK, mostly worn by regimental associations, fraternal lodges, etc.

When I wore my clansman's badge with my blazer, it was a blazer and grey flannels for times I couldn't (or didn't want to) wear a kilt, yet still display a tangible symbol of my heritage.

Again, your mileage may vary.

T.

[zirrow]

... BUT, the blazer/club jacket is found the UK, mostly worn by regimental associations, fraternal lodges, etc.

When I wore my clansman's badge with my blazer, it was a blazer and grey flannels for times I couldn't (or didn't want to) wear a kilt, yet still display a tangible symbol of my heritage. ...

Interesting, so the blazer badge was designed as more of an exclusive badge to be worn by the "in crowd" when they couldn't (or didn't want to) wear a kilt. What we need is a kind of badge that can be worn by someone not of a regimental or fraternal organization, but who is has an affiliation with their clan and would like to display their heritage without kilting up in full Highland fashion. I like the idea of the patch you mentioned previously, but perhaps like the blazer badge, possibly something that has evolved to be removable.

[macwilkin]

Interesting, so the blazer badge was designed as more of an exclusive badge to be worn by the "in crowd" when they couldn't (or didn't want to) wear a kilt. What we need is a kind of badge that can be worn by someone not of a regimental or fraternal organization, but who is has an affiliation with their clan and would like to display their heritage without kilting up in full Highland fashion. I like the idea of the patch you mentioned previously, but perhaps like the blazer badge, possibly something that has evolved to be removable.

I don't know if I'd go that far to say the "in crowd"...and remember, that was my personal way to show my Scots heritage without wearing a kilt...other fowk's mileage may very, as I stated before. With the exception of the clansman's badges, blazer badges are really not associated with traditional Highland attire.

As far as your idea, I would say that already exists -- the metal clansman's badge, be it a large bonnet sized one, or a lapel badge, is easily transferrable, although personally, I subscribe to the "less is more" theory when it comes to such things. Our own Matt Newsome has an excellent blog post from a number of years ago that makes a good point:

http://kiltmaker.blogspot.com/2005/0...l-in-kilt.html

T.

[zirrow]

but I wanted to go all out, as if I were one of the painted hooligans attending a college sporting event

In all seriousness, I had thought about using a cap badge when not in tartan, but I hadn't really seen this done and thought this might be a huge faux pas. Also, it seems like it could be a bit much due to its size. I have not come across a lapel pin, but that might fit the bill quite nicely. To avoid the "walking billboard" syndrome while in tartan, I did a bit of searching last week and found a simple holly brooch to use for a kilt pin on my clan tartan once it comes in (hopefully before the end of the year). Holly is the plant badge of the clan associated with my name (if only the clansmen of auld had foreseen what we would do to the holly come the holidays, it would have been a much easier search). Beyond that, it seems to me that the only other place that could have a symbol displayed would be a cap badge, if one were wearing an appropriate headpiece. As for the rest, I have to agree that shoes, socks, belts, and the like have no business displaying every little symbol that strikes your fancy (simple patterns can be okay), unless the situation deems it appropriate, as in the aforementioned college sporting event.

and thank you, your insight in this issue has been very helpful. I don't always see eye-to-eye with your views, but I find many of your posts to be quite informative and enjoy reading them.

[macwilkin]

but I wanted to go all out, as if I were one of the painted hooligans attending a college sporting event

In all seriousness, I had thought about using a cap badge when not in tartan, but I hadn't really seen this done and thought this might be a huge faux pas. Also, it seems like it could be a bit much due to its size. I have not come across a lapel pin, but that might fit the bill quite nicely. To avoid the "walking billboard" syndrome while in tartan, I did a bit of searching last week and found a simple holly brooch to use for a kilt pin on my clan tartan once it comes in (hopefully before the end of the year). Holly is the plant badge of the clan associated with my name (if only the clansmen of auld had foreseen what we would do to the holly come the holidays, it would have been a much easier search). Beyond that, it seems to me that the only other place that could have a symbol displayed would be a cap badge, if one were wearing an appropriate headpiece. As for the rest, I have to agree that shoes, socks, belts, and the like have no business displaying every little symbol that strikes your fancy (simple patterns can be okay), unless the situation deems it appropriate, as in the aforementioned college sporting event.

and thank you, your insight in this issue has been very helpful. I don't always see eye-to-eye with your views, but I find many of your posts to be quite informative and enjoy reading them.

You're most welcome, and I think your idea regarding the plant badge is a good one.



T.