Quote Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome View Post
Peter,

I also noted with interest your mention of the CY arisaide being made from rather heavy cloth. Most of the contemporary descriptions of lady's plaides (related in McClintock) mention specifically the fact that they were light and fine. So I suppose this would be yet another reason to suggest it had some other purpose.
That to rings bells with me. I've seen a number of old specimens that were very fine hard tartan in plain weave and I wonder if these would have been for women's use. Plain weave certainly not ideal for men's plaids where a structurally stronger cloth is best for general outdoor use - hence why denim was used for jeans.