Shoulder plaid(e)/ Day plaid(e)

**thescot** · 29th October 07, 12:36 PM

Welcome up, Dutchomatic.

The only person I ever personally saw with a day plaid was the clan chief at one of the Stone Mountain Games a couple of years back, and I don't remember which one. He had it with him since it was quite cold that day. I also saw an actor on, I think, an old episode of "Hamish Macbeth" from BBC until they cancelled that fine show.

I don't think you "wear" it so much as you simply carry it over your shoulder should you need something warm, kind of like a lap robe. It's not attached or anything, just thrown over the shoulder so it's handy if needed.

Like you, I think it has a nice appearance, and I've contemplated fixing one up for myself, but I always seem to spend my money on something else. And besides, in Atlanta, we don't get a lot of cold weather, so it wouldn't get much use.

Personally, I don't care for a fly plaid since it serves no real purpose except (in my useless opinion) to look something like a breachen faile. If I want a lot of tartan at my back--and I do when I'm really dressed out--I wear my great kilt and let it drape in fine fashion down my back. Nothing looks quite so formal as a breachen faile with a doublet!

**Panache** · 29th October 07, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

... If I want a lot of tartan at my back--and I do when I'm really dressed out--I wear my great kilt and let it drape in fine fashion down my back. Nothing looks quite so formal as a breachen faile with a doublet!

We need a picture of you in this finery you speak of!

Cheers

Jamie

**Daaaaang** · 29th October 07, 02:13 PM

Anyone have a picture of someone in a day plaid? If no, could Hamish please put on a day plaid?

Thanks,
Matt!

**Hamish** · 2nd November 07, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Daaaaang

Anyone have a picture of someone in a day plaid? If no, could Hamish please put on a day plaid?

Thanks,
Matt!

Sorry to disappoint you Matt, but one thing you will NEVER catch me wearing is a plaid of any sort!

Apart from being an acceptable part of a pipe band uniform, I can see no point whatsoever in day plaids, fly plaids or whatever. To my mind, they are useless pieces of 'costume' which not only look dreadful (and to quote someone else: tacky) but have no relevance in the 21st century at all.

If a kilt wearer wants to do the 'historical thing' at a Renn Faire then let him get with authenticity and wear a breachan feile, but please stop him draping unnecessary squares of tartan from his shoulder as part of current or modern Highland Dress.

My apologies to anyone who feels offended by my opinions - I single no-one out because I believe no-one gains anything by wearing a loose plaid, in particular with regard to their appearance.

**Panache** · 2nd November 07, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Hamish

I can see no point whatsoever in day plaids, fly plaids or whatever. To my mind, they are useless pieces of 'costume' which not only look dreadful (and to quote someone else: tacky) but have no relevance in the 21st century at all.

Hamish,

It would seem that the day plaid actually has a function, it provides warmth or a place to sit when one is out or about. I would consider this to be a fairly practical piece of highland kit.

As for fly plaids, I think in the right circumstances they can look rather dashing. I have one for my Black Watch handsewn kilt and will make another for my upcoming X Marks the Scot tartan kilt. Granted since I have become more familar with Highland Dress I realize they are for the most formal of occassions, but I still like them.

As you are someone who always pulls off wearing a kilt so splendidly every day I have nothing but admiration for your fashion sense. I will say (as Todd is wont to) "different horses for different courses".

I hope when I post a picture of my atttire for our formal Nor Cal Burn's Night Supper I might change your mind.

Cheers

Jamie

**McClef** · 2nd November 07, 01:49 PM

Having only recently donned a fly plaid for the first time I can only observe that it made me feel very smart and elegant!

But I don't know how it would actually look with day wear and would think it's more likely to look good with a PC. I could of course try it with my day jacket and vest....

But price is of course a factor. I was fortunate to obtain mine on ebay for less than £40 whereas many cost much more! Andrew paid £180 for his Country Antrim plaid (admittedly hand knotted at Celtic Craft Centre) but many prices are well over £100 so getting a plaid for every kilt in one's kollection (even discounting the more modern ones) could get very pricey indeed!

Especially for Hamish! (were he so inclined to do so).