What is a fly plaid?

[ardchoille]

I've often seen a kiltie wearing a fly plaid, but I don't know what it's for. What purpose does the fly plaid serve? What is the history behind it?

[gilmore]

I've often seen a kiltie wearing a fly plaid, but I don't know what it's for. What purpose does the fly plaid serve? ...

It makes the wearer look cool. To some.

It is said to descend from the great kilt, to resemble the way they looked when worn over the shoulder, before the small kilt evolved and separated from it.

[Coemgen]

It's a throwback to the first kilts, the great kilts. They were basically wool blankets belted around the waist and pleated in the back to use up excess material. The extra wool above the belt was wrapped around the upper half of the body and secured with a brooch, often over the shoulder.

In the 18th century, tailors began to remove the top half of the kilt, leaving the lower half (this is what most of us wear). For a fashion statement, some people would take big pieces of tartan and attach it to their shoulders to mimic the original form of the kilt.

These days its mostly worn just for very formal occasions.

[Jack Daw]

...And, you'll get three different schools of thought here under what circumstances a fly plaid should be worn - casual (jacket or less); semi-formal (black tie); and, formal (white tie, only!).

[Panache]

ardchoille,

Take a look at this recent Thread of our own Matt Newsome

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...x.html?t=36463

This plaid that Matt describes shows the mid-point between the full belted kilt (where there was only one piece) and the modern formal fly plaid.

Cheers

Jamie

[Farlander]

The fly plaid is formal wear decoration. It looks great with a Prince Charlie or Argyll jacket draped over the left shoulder under the epaulet and attached in place with a broach. (I've always wondered what those epaulets were for...)

History? I believe that this was a late 18th century military formal wear item to give the 'modern' tailored kilt that ancient great kilt look.

[ardchoille]

Ah, yes, I have two great kilts and wear them on occasion - sometimes unable to decide what to do with the above the waist portion. So the fly plaid serves to mimic that portion? Makes sense. I've never worn a fly plaid but may look into getting one for formal occasions.

Thank for the help folks

[Retro Red]

The Fly Plaid is a Scottish variant of a winged insect of the order Diptera. The midge is a very prevalent & annoying example.

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[Nick the DSM]

The Fly Plaid is a Scottish variant of a winged insect of the order Diptera. The midge is a very prevalent & annoying example.

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LMAO

[kfreeouf]

"Help me!"