Shoulder plaid(e)/ Day plaid(e)

**Dutchomatic** · 29th October 07, 11:02 AM

Got some plaid questions...

I like the idea of a day plaid, or plaide...I have seen it called a shoulder plaid. I'm not a big fan of fly plaids. I am a piper in Texas and like piper's plaids but have never worn one.

In the book "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt" J. Charles Thompson shows a drawing of a guy wearing this item. It looks nice to me, and I fully understand its function. I have seen it worn and I have seen it in a movie. Its not a common item. In fact it is so uncommon that every kilt maker I have talked to has either called it a fly plaid or never even heard of it. Not sure how that could be with all of these people being kilt-nazis.

Am I one of only 3 guys in the world who has seen or heard of this item? I suppose if I took an unaltered fly plaid and folded it proper, I could get what I want. I'd just like to speak with someone with some authority on the matter.

Any help or discussion is appreciated.

Slainte,
Brent
GCFFP&D

**Panache** · 29th October 07, 11:05 AM

Brent,

Welcome to X Marks the Scot first off.

Up until about two weeks ago I had never heard of a a day plaid either. I was informed by some reliable sources that a day plaid is a simple wool tartan square neatly folded and draped over one shoulder. Its purpose is to be there if one needs a blanket (either for warmth or perhaps to sit on). The day plaids won't have a fancy fringe and are not attached with a brooch.

Cheers

Jamie

**Dutchomatic** · 29th October 07, 11:49 AM

Man...that was quick!

I'd read about them a year ago, but when I saw the drawing it really really seemed familiar somehow. Like I say I'm not a big fly plaid fan. But according to some on this subject (just found it after posting) either a 54" or 1m square tartan in appropriate weight or 2 yards double width tartan should be the right choice. I think I'd like wearing one. Like you say, not fancy..no brooch...no pinning...

Not sure if I can wear a piper's plaid at non piping events...also not sure if those are only worn with a doublet... I like them, but will be attending civilian events through the year that I might want to wear a different plaid with.

Slainte,
Brent
GCFFP&D

**Riverkilt** · 29th October 07, 11:56 AM

Sounds like the tartan "sarape" in the Juan Moore beer logo??

Ron

**Dutchomatic** · 29th October 07, 11:59 AM

Perfect. Maybe I should send that to all the snooty know-it-alls in Scotland who have never heard of a plaide worn at the shoulder? HA!

Slainte,
Brent
GCFFP&D

**highlander_Daz** · 29th October 07, 12:12 PM

If you watch "monarch of the glen"

"molly" can often be seen with one draped over her shoulder

**thescot** · 29th October 07, 12:36 PM

Welcome up, Dutchomatic.

The only person I ever personally saw with a day plaid was the clan chief at one of the Stone Mountain Games a couple of years back, and I don't remember which one. He had it with him since it was quite cold that day. I also saw an actor on, I think, an old episode of "Hamish Macbeth" from BBC until they cancelled that fine show.

I don't think you "wear" it so much as you simply carry it over your shoulder should you need something warm, kind of like a lap robe. It's not attached or anything, just thrown over the shoulder so it's handy if needed.

Like you, I think it has a nice appearance, and I've contemplated fixing one up for myself, but I always seem to spend my money on something else. And besides, in Atlanta, we don't get a lot of cold weather, so it wouldn't get much use.

Personally, I don't care for a fly plaid since it serves no real purpose except (in my useless opinion) to look something like a breachen faile. If I want a lot of tartan at my back--and I do when I'm really dressed out--I wear my great kilt and let it drape in fine fashion down my back. Nothing looks quite so formal as a breachen faile with a doublet!

**Panache** · 29th October 07, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

... If I want a lot of tartan at my back--and I do when I'm really dressed out--I wear my great kilt and let it drape in fine fashion down my back. Nothing looks quite so formal as a breachen faile with a doublet!

We need a picture of you in this finery you speak of!

Cheers

Jamie

**Daaaaang** · 29th October 07, 02:13 PM

Anyone have a picture of someone in a day plaid? If no, could Hamish please put on a day plaid?

Thanks,
Matt!

**Hamish** · 2nd November 07, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Daaaaang

Anyone have a picture of someone in a day plaid? If no, could Hamish please put on a day plaid?

Thanks,
Matt!

Sorry to disappoint you Matt, but one thing you will NEVER catch me wearing is a plaid of any sort!

Apart from being an acceptable part of a pipe band uniform, I can see no point whatsoever in day plaids, fly plaids or whatever. To my mind, they are useless pieces of 'costume' which not only look dreadful (and to quote someone else: tacky) but have no relevance in the 21st century at all.

If a kilt wearer wants to do the 'historical thing' at a Renn Faire then let him get with authenticity and wear a breachan feile, but please stop him draping unnecessary squares of tartan from his shoulder as part of current or modern Highland Dress.

My apologies to anyone who feels offended by my opinions - I single no-one out because I believe no-one gains anything by wearing a loose plaid, in particular with regard to their appearance.