Fly plaid advice.

**Gryphon noir** · 6th January 13, 11:30 PM

George M. Stephen.jpg

Here is an example of a plaid of a different tartan being worn with a kilt. I believe both are Gordon tartans, but they do appear to be different. The uniform could possibly be connected with the Forfar Militia, circa 1886.

**TheOfficialBren** · 7th January 13, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Gryphon noir

George M. Stephen.jpg

Here is an example of a plaid of a different tartan being worn with a kilt. I believe both are Gordon tartans, but they do appear to be different. The uniform could possibly be connected with the Forfar Militia, circa 1886.

Actually, they are the same tartan. Look again. See the double lines on the fly plaid? They correspond with the kilt.
This photo is very old and photos from that period are often difficult subjects for the purpose at hand. Easily mistaken, though.

I second David's opinion regarding fly plaids and also about "matchy-matchy." He is one of the beacons of AHCD (American Highland Civilian Dress).

**TheOfficialBren** · 7th January 13, 08:34 PM

Accidental double posting.

**OC Richard** · 13th January 13, 10:44 AM

True indeed that that writer seems to be mixing up what we would call a "Laird's Plaid" and a "Piper's Plaid".

The Laird's Plaid is a length of tartan folded and placed on one shoulder. A modern Piper's Plaid (called a "long plaid" in the old days) is pleated, with the pleats sewn in, and worn tightly wrapped around the body.

This distinction though is a modern one; piper's plaids in the old days weren't formally pleated but merely bunched around the body

and what's more it can be seen in The Highlanders of Scotland that at that time there wasn't a distinction between the Laird's and piper's plaid... many of the men are wearing something in between, a length of tartan loosely draped around the body