Belting the Plaid: How'd They Do It??

[Nick the DSM]

Well, did they do that everyday?

I've read that they would sleep in it even belted on and the next morning they got up and went about their business. Ofcourse I don't have backup on that...

[QMcK]

They would probably have slept in the plaid, but I don't think they would have had it belted around them (except when they anticipated having to get up at the drop of a hat). I wouldn't want to sleep with something belted around me. But if you were used to it, you probably wouldn't even notice it.

[Morris at Heathfield]

Matt Newsome has an article on evidence of the use of loops and drawstrings in belted plaids between the late 17th and early 19th centuries.

[Graywolf]

They would probably have slept in the plaid, but I don't think they would have had it belted around them (except when they anticipated having to get up at the drop of a hat). I wouldn't want to sleep with something belted around me. But if you were used to it, you probably wouldn't even notice it.

I did it just last weekend at Bushy Run, PA - at a re-enactment of the Battle of Bushy Run. All I did was take my knife out of its sheath. Kept the kilt belted and just wrapped the excess around me. Wasn't uncomfortable, since it rained overnight, I was up and dressed in no time.

[QMcK]

Ok. Perhaps they did sleep with it belted on, then.

[Nighthawk]

I am back from the weekend festivities, with pleat shots as promised:

This is my friend in his great kilt.



The pleats close up:


They are not pressed, and they do naturally fall that way.

[Nighthawk]

...and just for giggles:



Big sword!

[SteveB]

5 yards of tartan, a paved driveway, 2 belts, 7 minutes.