Some people still wear lanyards to the park to pin trade. I pin trade but, I just keep my pins in a bag. When I went to WDW last year, I did not use a layard to hold my stuff in the parks. I used a magic band.
We use lanyards! My DD7 loves to proudly wear it so now I'm planning on getting one for me! I love them ad the are hands free and no carrying necessary. Just be careful on the "wild' rides and tuck it into something to protect yourself and others should it come loose or fly off..we love that out pins we wish to trade are easily seen by other traders and the laynard is much cooler/ lighter than the vest people wear.
My DD 8 has a lanyard and she enjoys trading. She'll wear it when we are going out with the purpose yo trade, but doesn't wear it to the parks everyday.