Fly Plaid - When?!

[HuDonald]

Hey all,

I have searched the forum with no success in addressing this question:
When is it appropriate to wear a fly plaid? When is it not?

I have been to ceilidhs and seen people wear PCs with no fly plaid, and other occasions and receptions where some wear one and others don't. I have even seen fly plaids with Argyll jackets and vests!

Is it just preference? When is wearing a fly plaid too much?

Personally, I was thinking that if I am wearing Argyll and vest, no fly plaid; and occasions calling for a PC over an Argyll jacket and vest, would call for a plaid. Is that logic sound?

For an upcoming gala hosted by the Smithsonian in DC, I intend to wear one along with my PC coatee, as the dress code is black tie. Is that normal and appropriate?

[cable scot]

Well fly plaids tend to look OTT unless you are a groom at a weddingThat said I wear mine when the mood and event srtike. If you are going to be dancing I would leave the fly plaid at home. It can be a hassle and pinning a plaid to your PC takes help and about 10 safety pins to join the jacket to the plaid so it doesn't pull one side of your PC up the whole evening.

[AKScott]

In general you should wear what you like. OTOH a gentlemen should knwo the rules first so he can break them intentionally rather than willy-nilly.

I think the consensus will be that an American might wear a fly plaid as a groom in his own wedding, and then not again until inducted to the House of Lords by Her Majesty, or promoted to colonel in a UK regiment. There are a few rare exceptions, pipers and the military have their own dress codes of course; the introduction of a new sett likewise might be an opportunity for a but more flair than ordinarily observed.

The underlying question is are you wearing the kilt as costume (which would allow one to wear a fly plaid with great regularity), or as proper respectable men's wear.

I for one would not say anything denigrating to someone at a highland games in full on highland dress complete with plaid, but I would be leaning on my situational awareness skills to ascertain if the individual was a visiting clan chief who is representing, or not.

I have no idea about the actual Smithsonian gala, but even if I were planning to go kilted I would almost definitely not wear a fly plaid. Perhaps an email to the host(ess) in advance? IIRC a fly plaid is an optional part of white tie dress not generally associated with "mere" black tie.

But at the end of the day, you are an American and should wear what you like.

[Jock Scot]

Hey all,

I have searched the forum with no success in addressing this question:
When is it appropriate to wear a fly plaid? When is it not?

I have been to ceilidhs and seen people wear PCs with no fly plaid, and other occasions and receptions where some wear one and others don't. I have even seen fly plaids with Argyll jackets and vests!

Is it just preference? When is wearing a fly plaid too much?

Personally, I was thinking that if I am wearing Argyll and vest, no fly plaid; and occasions calling for a PC over an Argyll jacket and vest, would call for a plaid. Is that logic sound?

For an upcoming gala hosted by the Smithsonian in DC, I intend to wear one along with my PC coatee, as the dress code is black tie. Is that normal and appropriate?

Well in Scotland it would not be normal to wear one and I think many would not consider it appropriate either, but if you want to wear one then, do. They are a real bind to wear though and in all honesty, probably an unnecessary item.

[Chas]

We are all aware of our own personal space. So we find no real difficulty manoeuvring ourselves through a crowded room with out bumping into people and things and causing an international incident. Add a fly plaid into the equation and all things you thought you knew go out of the window. It takes but seconds to sweep all the glasses from a table onto the floor, or drag it through someone else's plateful of food.

Fly Plaid - There is a reason it is called fly and the clue is in the name!

Regards

Chas

[creagdhubh]

I tend to agree with Jock and Chas. However, if you do decide to wear one with your Highland attire, please restrict its use to black tie events.

Cheers,

[Tobus]

When is it appropriate to wear a fly plaid? When is it not?

To answer that, we must look at the origins and history of the fly plaid. It originated in the 1950s when jet-liners were really becoming popular for global travel. Highlanders of the time were looking for a convenient blanket to take on the plane so they could sleep on those long overseas flights. Hauling a full-size plaid onto the plane was just too much. So a smaller version was adopted for trans-oceanic flights which would provide light cover over the torso whilst sleeping, and be portable enough to make for easy stowing when the flight was over. It was designed with one corner pleated so it could be tucked into one's collar whilst eating an airline meal so as to serve as a long napkin. It was very well suited for airline travel. Hence the term "fly plaid". This is its most appropriate (and originally intended) role.

There was a curious occasion where a Highlander by the name of Hugh MacSnodswold was to be married to an American girl in New York. He was to fly from Scotland to America on the day of the wedding and proceed directly from the airport to the church. So he traveled in his finest kilt outfit for the wedding. This being a trans-Atlantic flight, he of course brought his handy fly plaid. However, the plane was late in arriving due to weather, and he was all discombobulated when he arrived. In his haste to disembark from the airplane, he forgot about his fly plaid, which fortunately got hung up on the epaulet of his jacket. As he ran through the airport, kilt pleats swishing, the fly plaid managed to find its way over his shoulder and behind him. He arrived at the ceremony in the nick of time, and the guests were delighted by the stylish addition to his otherwise traditional wardrobe. And so the tradition of the fly plaid being worn at weddings began.

And now you know "the rest of the story".

[mookien]

... Is it just preference? When is wearing a fly plaid too much?

Yes, it is just personal preference. A fly plaid is "too much" whenever you think it is too much.

Full disclosure: I love plaids of all kinds (fly, half-belted, folded), because they recall the breacan feile. But, most of the time I do not wear one, because as some folks have pointed out, they are a bit difficult to don and to manage in use.

[New World Czech]

Well done Tobus!

As for the OP, do as you wish but I for one cannot think of an occation I would wish to wear one, unless flying of course.

[JohntheBiker]

I have only worn a fly plaid once and that was at my own wedding. The only time I have seen someone in these parts wearing a fly plaid is at the local St. Andrew's Ball and even then it is pretty rare. At a black tie function where you might be the only one kilted, I think that I would hesitate. You are going to out shine the other men anyway.