So... which plaid is which?

[Father Bill]

I saw a post today labelled a 'fly plaid' that was actually around the torso and back. In my head that's a 'piper's plaid'. I could be wrong.

Does anyone have pictures or diagrams to differentiate the different ways of wearing a plaid and their respective names? I think I know a fly plaid, a laird's plaid and a few others, but I'd like to be sure that I'm using the proper terms for each of them.

I know that plaids are normally considered a bit outré, but nonetheless they are indeed 'out there' so I'd like to be sure I'm saying the right thing in each case.

It may also be that the names have migrated over the decades and even centuries, in which case, I'll always be wrong. I'm married, so I'm accustomed to that.

With thanks in advance!

[MurrayInGA]

Following. I was just thinking about this the other day and also looking for clarification.

[PassingW]

The "I'm married, so I'm accustomed to that." bit, or questions about the plaids?

[imrichmond]

The piper's plaid starts at the left shoulder, runs across the back, under the right arm, across the chest and is fastened at the left shoulder so that it hangs down the piper's left side with the fringe about level with the top of the spat (if these are worn). Putting one of these on can be a real pain and is usually easier with the help of a second person.

The fly plaid is a simple rectangle of cloth, usually fringed at both ends, which is attached at the left shoulder so that part of it hangs on the left side of the chest with most of the length hanging down the back. Other than the attachment at the shoulder, the fly plaid hangs loose front and back, hence the name "fly" plaid.

[Father Bill]

The piper's plaid starts at the left shoulder, runs across the back, under the right arm, across the chest and is fastened at the left shoulder so that it hangs down the piper's left side with the fringe about level with the top of the spat (if these are worn). Putting one of these on can be a real pain and is usually easier with the help of a second person.

The fly plaid is a simple rectangle of cloth, usually fringed at both ends, which is attached at the left shoulder so that part of it hangs on the left side of the chest with most of the length hanging down the back. Other than the attachment at the shoulder, the fly plaid hangs loose front and back, hence the name "fly" plaid.

That's what I thought. So... beyond those two and the Laird's plaid, are there any other variations I should keep in mind?

[EagleJCS]

The piper's plaid is also known as the drummer's plaid.

There is a 'belted plaid', which is similar, but has a belt holding the cloth to the back of the body. The plaid does not come across the front of the body. OCRichard might be able to write a better description and provide some pictures.

That should about cover it.