Laird's/Day Plaid

[English Bloke]

... The day plaid / lairds plaid is for comfort against the cold and rain, it is for spreading on the ground for a dry place to sit (and perhaps have lunch), it is for wrapping children and the ladies in who need shelter from the elements. It is a utilitarian accessory...

Agreed but; Is? or was?

Isn't that what the boots (trunks) of cars are for nowadays?

Your obvious chivalry is without question and if you like the look, go ahead Jamie. For me it's a bit err... too much. In this day and age, I can protect my women and children from the elements without lugging around a horse blanket on my shoulder. If it really is raining on our parade I'd be urging my family back to the shelter of our 7 seater, horseless carriage. (yeah, that's another thing about having a family... The motorbike and two seater sportscar are the first things to go).

Don't misunderstand me. I appreciate the sentiment and the efforts to emulate our forebears but in all honesty what would contemporary women and children prefer, a prudent view of the weather forecast followed by a cautionary and deftly erected Gazebo or a sofa blanket carried on the off chance?

Smacks of costume to me. Just my thoughts mind.

Bit like flat caps and white socks I suppose... each to their own.

[English Bloke]

Post withdrawn by English Bloke lest I cause offence

[Highlander31]

Glen,

My compliments on trying the day plaid.

My wife likes the look and thinks it would be a good reason for me to use the matching 2' X 5' 16oz material I ordered with my tank back in 2005. Her line of thinking, is the look would fit well when attending a garden party where a tweed jacket is more appropriate than an Argyle or PC. Since we live on the coast here in the PNW, it can be cool even during the Summer, so the extra warmth would not be a consideration. She makes a good argument for trying the look (I can always hang the plaid on the back of a chair if it becomes cumbersome.) Of course if I wear the plaid for her, she'll wear something for me. Now,...where did she put those lovely mini skirts?

[McMurdo]

Agreed but; Is? or was?

Isn't that what the boots (trunks) of cars are for nowadays?

Your obvious chivalry is without question and if you like the look, go ahead Jamie. For me it's a bit err... too much. In this day and age, I can protect my women and children from the elements without lugging around a horse blanket on my shoulder. If it really is raining on our parade I'd be urging my family back to the shelter of our 7 seater, horseless carriage. (yeah, that's another thing about having a family... The motorbike and two seater sportscar are the first things to go).

Don't misunderstand me. I appreciate the sentiment and the efforts to emulate our forebears but in all honesty what would contemporary women and children prefer, a prudent view of the weather forecast followed by a cautionary and deftly erected Gazebo or a sofa blanket carried on the off chance?

Smacks of costume to me. Just my thoughts mind.

Bit like flat caps and white socks I suppose... each to their own.

John
I thought as we have been discussing the Lairds Plaid over the past few weeks, with photographic examples by Puffer, that I would try the look myself. Will I wear this on a daily or even monthly basis? No, as you, I find the look just a bit theatrical. However I'm glad I tried it as it is, to my eye a good look albeit somewhat old fashioned and a bit over the top so to speak as you say in this day and age.

I may try something like this again if my Inverness Cape was missing and all I had was a tartan blanket. This is simply an attempt by me to try my hand at a particular style of Highland Dress, it may not have it's place in everyday wear but that as I see it is not the point nor was it ever. If you look at the vintage photos you will notice that many of them are taken at Highland Games in Scotland, so no this really is not daily wear at all. I must say though that this look is no more out of place than the kilted re-enactors that you see at various Highland Games from Jacobite garb and Great Kilts with Claymores to the uniform of the Fraser Highlanders or the Black Watch re-enactors. This look while not everyones cuppa certainly has it's place as evidenced by the vintage photos cited above.

[English Bloke]

I take your point and stand corrected...

Apologies to you sir. It was not your fly I was biting at

Don't you love this forum though?!

[puffer]

John
I thought as we have been discussing the Lairds Plaid over the past few weeks, with photographic examples by Puffer, that I would try the look myself. Will I wear this on a daily or even monthly basis? No, as you, I find the look just a bit theatrical. However I'm glad I tried it as it is, to my eye a good look albeit somewhat old fashioned and a bit over the top so to speak as you say in this day and age.

I may try something like this again if my Inverness Cape was missing and all I had was a tartan blanket. This is simply an attempt by me to try my hand at a particular style of Highland Dress, it may not have it's place in everyday wear but that as I see it is not the point nor was it ever. If you look at the vintage photos you will notice that many of them are taken at Highland Games in Scotland, so no this really is not daily wear at all. I must say though that this look is no more out of place than the kilted re-enactors that you see at various Highland Games from Jacobite garb and Great Kilts with Claymores to the uniform of the Fraser Highlanders or the Black Watch re-enactors. This look while not everyones cuppa certainly has it's place as evidenced by the vintage photos cited above.

GENTLEMEN, Since I seem to be the one to have "SPARKED INTEREST" In wearing the "LAIRD's PLAID", I would respectively like to make a couple of comments.

1 McMurdo, I APPLAUD your willingness to "try" the "LOOK"

2. Comments on the following "concepts "
A. It was not "daily wear" . Depends on the definition of "daily wear. Yes it worn @ "Highland games" BUT ALSO regularly worn @ other "EVENTS" Parades, Reviews,Horse Races,Parties, Funerals, etc (see the 1st pic you posted ) It was worn as a part of ATTIRE" ( your 3rd picture) It was worn for strolling, picnics, Family outings, hunting ETC)
PURSUE here. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...316/index.html

B. THEATRICAL. IMHO, it depends on who & why it is being worn. If it is worn to "POSE" then it can be, but then again, this would apply to ANY "LOOK". BUT if it worn as a PRACTICAL & regular "accessory" then NO!!

C. Why I often choose the "PLAID" over my Inerness Cape.
Example yesterday. It was a sunny but CHILLY Day (40s). My schedule was, a 4 mile walk (to & from) "Down town". Include a meeting with a county commissioner, some "casual shopping", & lunch. Why I choose the "Plaid" over the "Cape" = MORE PRACTICAL.(IMHO) Less "cumbersome. But MAINLY, because I was in & out, (meeting, stores,Pub.) "Doffing the "cape = what to do with it ? Doffing the "Plaid" = over my arm,folded beside me etc.

YOU ARE CORRECT, the "LAID's PLAID" is NOT for everyone. But I am pleased to see that it is being considered. The choice to wear or not to wear is up to who, what & where, IMHO.

Respectively
PUFFER

[Jock Scot]

GENTLEMEN, Since I seem to be the one to have "SPARKED INTEREST" In wearing the "LAIRD's PLAID", I would respectively like to make a couple of comments.

1 McMurdo, I APPLAUD your willingness to "try" the "LOOK"

2. Comments on the following "concepts "
A. It was not "daily wear" . Depends on the definition of "daily wear. Yes it worn @ "Highland games" BUT ALSO regularly worn @ other "EVENTS" Parades, Reviews,Horse Races,Parties, Funerals, etc (see the 1st pic you posted ) It was worn as a part of ATTIRE" ( your 3rd picture) It was worn for strolling, picnics, Family outings, hunting ETC)
PURSUE here. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...316/index.html

B. THEATRICAL. IMHO, it depends on who & why it is being worn. If it is worn to "POSE" then it can be, but then again, this would apply to ANY "LOOK". BUT if it worn as a PRACTICAL & regular "accessory" then NO!!

C. Why I often choose the "PLAID" over my Inerness Cape.
Example yesterday. It was a sunny but CHILLY Day (40s). My schedule was, a 4 mile walk (to & from) "Down town". Include a meeting with a county commissioner, some "casual shopping", & lunch. Why I choose the "Plaid" over the "Cape" = MORE PRACTICAL.(IMHO) Less "cumbersome. But MAINLY, because I was in & out, (meeting, stores,Pub.) "Doffing the "cape = what to do with it ? Doffing the "Plaid" = over my arm,folded beside me etc.

YOU ARE CORRECT, the "LAID's PLAID" is NOT for everyone. But I am pleased to see that it is being considered. The choice to wear or not to wear is up to who, what & where, IMHO.

Respectively
PUFFER

To puffer and every one.

Until I had seen the title here on this website, quite a while ago now, I had never heard the description of a "day plaid" described as a "lairds plaid" and with out doubt I can recall many highland "gentlemen" who would never describe themselves as lairds, carrying the plaid at various outdoor functions. Don't forget that in the "day plaids" hay day only the better off (slightly better off in some cases) could afford the kilt and assorted kilt attire and that would have included many a laird, but I have never ever seen or heard that the "day plaid" was exclusive to Lairds. My experience says that is quite wrong.

As a garment to do a job it was the best that we had at the time,there are much better garments these days to do the same job. Having carried a "day plaid" around as a young man at various outdoor functions and found them an absolute bind to cart about, I was delighted to get rid of mine. Although, I have to admit, when I see the pictures of the past with people wearing them I do have pangs of nostalgia. As for today, I really think they are, at best, unnecessary and at worst, a posers tool.

[Panache]

Although, I have to admit, when I see the pictures of the past with people wearing them I do have pangs of nostalgia. As for today, I really think they are, at best, unnecessary and at worst, a posers tool.

Jock...Jock...Jock...

Always the Modernist, scoffing and tossing away traditions right and left...

sigh




Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Jock...Jock...Jock...

Always the Modernist, scoffing and tossing away traditions right and left...

sigh




Cheers

Jamie

Never let it be said that I don't move with the times!

[puffer]

Never let it be said that I don't move with the times!

Yes you do & I, for one RESPECT that.

As to there being "more Modern & better ways" to address the ELEMENTS, yes there are.
FOR information I live in the PNW part of the USA. & have done so all of my Life, 66 = years ( not counting my service time & college in Colorado)
1 I have spent a GOOD SHARE of my time "out doors." (hiking, hunting,fishing, camping etc. to "BUSINESS") & dressing for the "ELEMENTS" YES!!

here is a picture of the land I grew up on & still frequent often (NE WA those "foothills" in the background are 3,000' ++ (Rockies)

A. Cold Damp Rain of our Coast to the mountains (think 3,00ft++( our Cascades to 10,000'++++ (Rockies)

B. Here in the PNW, we are "known" for our "outdoor gear" & our ability to confront our "WEATHER"
GORE TEX (a NECESSITY ) both in Jackets (most often with zip in Liners, "fleece" to DOWN.) to Down CAR Coats & over coats (for "dress")

2. Do I utilize them when "KILTED UP, YES!! when necessary. here is a picture of me wearing a "down jacket" on the way out into our recent "cold?snow snap" (low 20s,2' snow) If it had been snowing the jacket would have been one of my "GORE TEX"


Although I try to dress "nice" I AM NOT into POSING ! ( I leave that to others)
"the "Laird's/Day Plaid" is worn, IMHO, because it meets a PRACTICAL Need, in my clothing needs.

Puffer