Plaid with a regular suit?

**okaykatelyn** · 4th May 17, 09:47 AM

Hi all, I am new here. My fiancé is a MacMillan and he wants to honor his clan in a small way for our wedding. We don't want to do a kilt, but were thinking of a plaid or sash of sorts. I know "sashes are for lasses", but I wasn't sure if there is an acceptable way to do this? If someone would be so kind as to inform me on sashes, laird plaids, fly plaids, mini fly plaids, and day plaids and their differences and if they can be used in this way I would appreciate it. I will attach the image that inspired us to think of this smaller tribute. Thanks!

d011e9c80ac357f5394efbdcdf57d2c2.jpg

79a36d4ee44cf1d9bed84550facb2857.jpg

606f414fd92b3d96cdb362a81e3b88ad.jpg

**McMurdo** · 4th May 17, 12:30 PM

I would either go for a kilt, tartan trews or perhaps the tuxedo with a tartan cummerbund, though that would be my last choice. A sash as pictured does not look right to me and a lairds plaid or fly plaid only works with Highland wear and even then they are a bit over the top.

**davidlpope** · 4th May 17, 12:38 PM

Tartan sashes for men (IMO) look very bad.

Better off for him to go with a tartan waistcoat (vest) or tartan cummerbund.

If he's adventurous, trews.

**piperdbh** · 4th May 17, 12:39 PM

A tartan vest/waistcoat would look nice, too, and be wearable for lots of occasions.

**Lady Grey** · 4th May 17, 12:47 PM

I disagree with the fellas.
I think the pictures that gave you inspiration are lovely.
It's your wedding and as you only want to honour his heritage in a small way it looks great!
Trews, cummerbund, etc are a bit OTP unless all the groomsmen and others in the wedding party are also wearing it.

**Jock Scot** · 4th May 17, 12:53 PM

As you are asking and using your picture as the example then, DON'T DO IT, please! Unless you want him to look like an extra in a third rate pantomime.

Thinking on here, if it helps any. It is traditional (although not seen often here in Scotland these days) for the bride to wear the husband's tartan, in sash form, AFTER the wedding service.

**Father Bill** · 4th May 17, 12:53 PM

There are several questions here and in many similar situations, and while they may or may not overlap, they most definitely do NOT align:

Q1 Might you like the look?

Q2 Can you do as you ____ well please?

Q3 Is it something that is normal / traditional with tartan?
Q3b If not, will people look askance at it? (Traditionalists will silently roll their eyes & think you a silly toad)
Q3b If not, will traditionalists say anything about it? (No. See Q3b)

I'm quite sure that you'll do whatever you like. Just be aware of the sequence in Q3 and ask yourself, do you really want to be thought of as silly by those who actually know what they're talking about?

**Lorna** · 5th May 17, 12:06 PM

I don't often comment on posts but I felt it was necessary because friends don't let friends wear sashes.

As to your query about fly plaids, I agree with McMurdo.

My son is getting married next year. Although he has his own 8 yard kilt, he has chosen not to wear it as he also wears a kilt as a uniform for work. He has opted for a tartan waistcoat that will be cut on the bias. This (badly photoshopped

) image is the look he is going for.

I will be using a pattern by McCalls 7003 that I bought on Etsy.

Whatever you happen to decide I wish you both the best of luck.

**IsaacW** · 6th May 17, 07:05 AM

Yes to all that has been said!!

I honestly am a big fan of tartan waistcoats. They look smashing and can be a great way to add tartan to a less Highland wardrobe. I should add the caveat that I were waistcoats of all sorts on a frequent basis and simply like them. That said, a waistcoat made would be usable for the wedding and you could get good use from it for years to come. Much more so than a sash.
Trews are also VERY nice, but less subtle.