Piper's plaid/Full plaid with an Argyll jacket?

[Kilted Craanen]

Hello all,

As I was surfing on the forums on my kiltboard, I surfed across the vintage kilt photo section.

A number of men wear a full plaid (also called piper's plaid) with formal attire.

As I don't have the money for a montrose jacket, would it be acceptable to wear a full plaid with formal wear? (so not a fly plaid - a full length piper plaid!)

I personally think it looks better than a fly plaid and it's vintage and vintage is cool these days.

If they could do it, could I?

Thank you for the advise!

Daniël

[Tim Little]

You certainly could, but should you?

My gut says "no" -- seems over-the-top.

[highlander_Daz]

normally understated is best, and pipers plaids is very uncomfortable

[kypnkilt]

A pipers plaid is for...pipers....(but not all the time) and usually in full regalia. Granted, they do look nice, but cumbersome and definitely overkill in a formal situation. I reserve wearing a fly plaid for formal occasions which isn't very often. When I am piping I rarely wear a pipers plaid...as a matter of fact I can think of only 2 occasion I have done so. Hated them both times....They have their place, but for formal occasion, I would say "no".

[piperdbh]

From what I understand the piper's plaid is more "uniform" than "vintage".
I prefer the look of a fly plaid, especially if you'll be outside where the breeze can tug at it. Even inside, it adds a touch of color and (to me) completes the formal look. I know many don't like them, and of course "to each his own."
I hope you enjoy the event, however you dress.

[Nanook]

A pipers plaid is for...pipers....(but not all the time)

And not just for pipers.. What is typically called a piper's plaid is really a full plaid, in contrast, to the smaller half plaid which is often called a "drummer's plaid" because they get worn by drummers. Pipers when they wear a plaid tend to wear a full plaid. Drummers tend to wear the half plaid since they need the movement. Both are pleated. Fly plaids are pretty much poor man's half plaids (an piece of cloth with fringes but lacking pleats). Both full and half plaids are, however, not exclusive to bandsmen just as Inverness capes, Glengarry bonnets and kilts are not exclusive to pipers---- even if one is often asked where the bagpipes are.

and usually in full regalia.

Within the No.1 regimental dress. This, however, does not mean that a civilian needs to wear a No.1 dress jacket to wear a plaid.

Granted, they do look nice,

They can look nice.. or look overdone.. I don't think it would work well with a day jacket but a black Argyll might work with non matching plaids--- as once tradition. With a doublet, given our expectations, I think they need match the kilt and with matching plaid and kilt, given our expectations, I think one would need to wear a doublet... The style of wearing a full plaid with No.1 dress, however, and the style of wearing one with a civilian jacket should be different. A coatee with a plaid? Why not? A half plaid is probably more fitting to party but they do, in my opinion, look fine and I might say better than the current fashion of fly plaids..

[beloitpiper]

I only wear mine when ordered. It is so uncomfortable! Plus, mine is heavier than my 22oz. tank...that's a lot of weight to carry around all night.

[Frank McGrath]

Not being a piper, although a lot of people think I must be, I would not wear the full plaid. My argyll is enough with a white shirt and tie. I stand out enough in a crowd of suits. Why would I add the plaid? Anyway, it gets in the way of drinking.

[The Barry]

I thought that one was only supposed to wear the fly plaid when he is "the man of the hour", so to speak. For instance, I would not wear my fly plaid in a wedding unless I were the groom, etc.

Any thoughts?

[Macman]

I wouldn't wear a full plaid if I didn't have too, because it's big, heavy, cumbersome and warm. I personally wouldn't wear one with an Argyle.
Do you already own a full plaid? If you don't, I think you might be surprised at how expensive they are. You might consider putting that money towards the Montrose doublet.