Laird's/Day Plaid

[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]

....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....

....Smacks of costume to me.

John,

I really think that the day plaid is a bit of kit for very particular circumstances and would never consider wearing one just out and about.

However, I can recall a lovely (but cool) day where my family went to the Conservatory of Flowers and Arboretum in Golden Gate Park and then spent a good deal of the morning and early afternoon wandering. I carried a small messenger bag with a bit of lunch for us and it would have been wonderful to have had a blanket with us to have our picnic.

The pictures I see of men wearing one of these day plaids are all outdoor excursions where draping this blanket was simply the easiest way to carry it (plus it offered some additional warmth against the elements).

In the right context I think such a plaid could be quite useful and smart, outside of that context I would agree with you that it does seem like a costume.

....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)

Ahhhh...but in my dreams I have a red Allard JX2 or a green* Lotus Super Seven, just the thing for a nice jaunt to the countryside with just enough room for myself and one beautiful red head...

(Off Topic, but the other day I was in a store and a gentleman came up to me and looked at my attire then asked "Excuse me, do you own a Morgan by any chance?" I looked at him and said "sadly no, but I wished I did and thank you for asking." )

Cheers

Jamie



*With the yellow nose stripe of course

[1MUNK3]

You look great has always! You pull the "look", has it now seems to be called, quite well. I'm also fond of the third photo you provided in the first set. It happens to be the Chief of my Clan that sadly passed away in 2004. He is none other than, Colonel Sir Donald Hamish Cameron of Lochiel, K.T.,XXVI Chief of Clan Cameron. He is sorely missed by my family. He was a wonderful friend of my father. He was truly a great man and did so much for his Clan. We are fortunate to have his son, who shares the same spirit and love for his Clan. Another great man, indeed. Again, you look great !

[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!

[macwilkin]

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.

Yes -- they're called Barbour jackets! :mrgreen:

T.

[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

[Jock Scot]

Puffer.

Wow that is a beautiful picture of the area you come from. As to the day plaid if you can find a use for it, then well done. Me and most of kilt wearing Scotland have ditched ours years ago. Yes, you will see the Chief of Clan *** wear one at a clan gathering, but when all said and done, that is really only posing for the visitors. You can rest assured, as soon as the visitors have gone the plaid is consigned to the cupboard! I can see little practical use for a day plaid these days.You of course think otherwise.

[svc40bt]

I have sported this 'look' once so far, (thankfully their are no pictures to be posted here) when attanding the Scottish Christmas Walk parade last year. At that time I had two 'day plaids' for a couple of blocks from my truck to the parade viewing location we had scouted, and that was being held down by the rest of my family. I am glad there are no pictures because I had them over the wrong shoulder, not to mention them being bright blue fleece with an all-over print of snowmen wearing red hats and scarves. One served quite well to cover the low brick wall my wife and I sat on, while the other covered up my children in the bag chairs that were on my left shoulder. So I would have to agree that they can be quite the practical item.

[puffer]

Puffer.

Wow that is a beautiful picture of the area you come from. As to the day plaid if you can find a use for it, then well done. Me and most of kilt wearing Scotland have ditched ours years ago. Yes, you will see the Chief of Clan *** wear one at a clan gathering, but when all said and done,

Thank you SIR. The PNW is BEAUTIFUL & Varied (the Pacific Coast dense forests, the coastal Mtn. ranges - the "desert/scab lands of Central WA,OR. S.ID & the "foothills of E. WA. The "Rockies of N. Id etc. It also covers over 210,000sq. miles ( WA alone = 68,139 sq.Mi.)

Like the LAND, WE "natives" have our OWN Ideas about ourselves & how dress.

Puffer