So what's the deal with day plaids.

**Sir Didymous** · 20th January 13, 09:47 PM

I've read a bit about the concept of carrying an extra length of plaid folded and worn over the shoulder as part of day wear. I have not however been able to find out much about the concept in terms of people actually doing this. Is it just another way for vendors to sell more pieces of tartan, or is it actually done?

**flairball** · 20th January 13, 09:52 PM

It's been discussed quite a bit here. My recollection is that it's not day wear, and it's not even really formal wear except in specific settings. I believe one of those settings was military function, the plaid being part of the uniform, or some such thing. Don't have one, don't plan on buying one, so haven't paid as close attention as others, who I'm sure will be along shortly.

**Downunder Kilt** · 20th January 13, 10:03 PM

Day plaids or Lairds plaids (another name for them) were more common in times past. There have been several threads on them. I will have a look in the search engine and get back to you. BTW They were used by the average punter, not the military or bands

One thread that had some discussion and photos (see post 12 & 17) of day plaids
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...16/index2.html

**Downunder Kilt** · 20th January 13, 10:20 PM

John at Keltoi has a nice summary of what they are on his site (Keltoi is an advertiser here, just look in the top line advertisers box)

Also another thread from 2010
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...s-plaid-59143/

The above thread also contains links to other threads on Day plaids

**Ancienne Alliance** · 21st January 13, 02:22 AM

I think they simply look great !

Best,

Robert

**MacRobert's Reply** · 21st January 13, 05:38 AM

Rarely seen in Scotland these days unless its the tartan picnic rug thrown over the shoulder!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st January 13, 05:43 AM

They are perfectly fine for daywear, though they used to be more commonly seen in the past than they are now (by that I mean 19th century and earlier 20th century). Day plaids, or shepherd's plaids, or laird's plaids (there seems to be no standard name for them) are a bit different than what is typically worn by pipers and drum majors. The day plaid is an untailored length of cloth, generally fringed on the ends, which may be in the same tartan as the kilt, or a different pattern altogether.

I have a couple and regrettably don't get to wear them as often as I would like due to the subtropical weather we often have here in the American southeast. But when I do they never fail to draw complements.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st January 13, 05:45 AM

Some mid-19th century depictions, courtesy of Richard Ansdell.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st January 13, 05:52 AM

A few more modern examples....

Here, the gentleman on the left is the chief of the Clan MacLea (Livingston) and is wearing a day plaid, while the gentleman on the right is wearing a fly plaid.

The chief of Clan Farquharson.

Cameron of Locheil. Note his plaid is a different tartan than his kilt, though both are Cameron tartans.

A gathering of Clan Donald chiefs. Note some of the plaids are matching the kilt, some are not. All are MacDonald tartans.

**Domehead** · 21st January 13, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

A few more modern examples....

Here, the gentleman on the left is the chief of the Clan MacLea (Livingston) and is wearing a day plaid, while the gentleman on the right is wearing a fly plaid.

The chief of Clan Farquharson.

Cameron of Locheil. Note his plaid is a different tartan than his kilt, though both are Cameron tartans.

A gathering of Clan Donald chiefs. Note some of the plaids are matching the kilt, some are not. All are MacDonald tartans.

Mr. Newsome will be making me another 4YBP, this in Hunter of Hunterston - Ancient, honoring that branch of the family. My family emigrated in the 20th Century and settled in Upstate NY. A significant annual event is the Niagara Celtic Festival held at Olcott Beach. However, the festival is scheduled late August to early September. As my family settled but a mile from the grounds, to an extent, we are expected to attend and the weather is much cooler.

Along with the kilt, Matt and I purchased 4 additional yards of single width fabric (D.C. Dalgliesh) with the express purpose of a Laird's Plaid. It is intended for practical use, to wit I will braid the ends myself:
1. for my wife to drape while we traverse the grounds, close to the lake
2. to sit on the cool ground, particularly at shepherding events
3. 4 yds single-width as if to suggest the "other" half of a breacan-an-feile

My goal is to respectfully emulate the look of Mr. Newsome in his F. Britt sporrans and the Honorable Chiefs of Clans MacLea and Farquharson

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