So what's the deal with day plaids.

[Sir Didymous]

I've read a bit about the concept of carrying an extra length of plaid folded and worn over the shoulder as part of day wear. I have not however been able to find out much about the concept in terms of people actually doing this. Is it just another way for vendors to sell more pieces of tartan, or is it actually done?

[flairball]

It's been discussed quite a bit here. My recollection is that it's not day wear, and it's not even really formal wear except in specific settings. I believe one of those settings was military function, the plaid being part of the uniform, or some such thing. Don't have one, don't plan on buying one, so haven't paid as close attention as others, who I'm sure will be along shortly.

[Downunder Kilt]

Day plaids or Lairds plaids (another name for them) were more common in times past. There have been several threads on them. I will have a look in the search engine and get back to you. BTW They were used by the average punter, not the military or bands

One thread that had some discussion and photos (see post 12 & 17) of day plaids
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...16/index2.html

[Downunder Kilt]

John at Keltoi has a nice summary of what they are on his site (Keltoi is an advertiser here, just look in the top line advertisers box)

Also another thread from 2010
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...s-plaid-59143/

The above thread also contains links to other threads on Day plaids

[Ancienne Alliance]

I think they simply look great !



Best,

Robert

[MacRobert's Reply]

Rarely seen in Scotland these days unless its the tartan picnic rug thrown over the shoulder!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

They are perfectly fine for daywear, though they used to be more commonly seen in the past than they are now (by that I mean 19th century and earlier 20th century). Day plaids, or shepherd's plaids, or laird's plaids (there seems to be no standard name for them) are a bit different than what is typically worn by pipers and drum majors. The day plaid is an untailored length of cloth, generally fringed on the ends, which may be in the same tartan as the kilt, or a different pattern altogether.

I have a couple and regrettably don't get to wear them as often as I would like due to the subtropical weather we often have here in the American southeast. But when I do they never fail to draw complements.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Some mid-19th century depictions, courtesy of Richard Ansdell.

[creagdhubh]

John at Keltoi has a nice summary of what they are on his site (Keltoi is an advertiser here, just look in the top line advertisers box)

Also another thread from 2010
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...s-plaid-59143/

The above thread also contains links to other threads on Day plaids

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