George VI and Edward VIII

[jesuisprest]

Well, I'll throw my hat in to the mix and also state that I have only ever pronounced it as 'plaad'! I can't say that whether it is historical or not matters to how I will continue to pronounce it.

Thank you to those who have shed some light on what the original items in question. I think that they are cooler than a fly plaid if people still go in for that sort of thing, certainly more practical.

Best,
Adam

[OC Richard]

I do wonder when the fashion of wearing plaids in that manner got popular.

On the vast majority of 19th century photos I have there's no plaid. If there is a plaid it's usually secured with a brooch.

One does see plaids worn like this, wrapped around the body, but rather loose, and not secured with a brooch.

It's one of the many things seen both in The Highlanders Of Scotland and in a number of photographs of the same period.









Here are a couple of the rather rare images of men doing the "Laird's plaid" thing






(Note the common wearing of wing collar shirts with long neckties.)

[figheadair]

I do wonder when the fashion of wearing plaids in that manner got popular.

On the vast majority of 19th century photos I have there's no plaid. If there is a plaid it's usually secured with a brooch.

One does see plaids worn like this, wrapped around the body, but rather loose, and not secured with a brooch.

It's one of the many things seen both in The Highlanders Of Scotland and in a number of photographs of the same period.

Great example of a full non-tartan Highland outfit.

[OC Richard]

Great example of a full non-tartan Highland outfit.

I've got plenty!

[Jock Scot]

Those plaid things are best left in the past! They were the very devil to carry smartly as they were always slipping about, much like the plaids in the picture. Thank goodness for the invention good waterproof and warm over-jackets and my lairds plaid has barely seen the light of day for many a decade! Yes, the kilt was worn at the top of the knee or slightly higher in the past, I think mainly because those wearing the kilt knew how to and there were plenty of experienced kilt wearers at hand to advise and yes correct, those that did not quite pass muster----------------unlike today---------- and look what a mess some modern kilt wearers get into!

[kingandrew]

I definitely prefer the kilt above the knee (although not too[/I] above the knee

And I haven't tried it and I'm sure Jock's correct that they slip around, but I do like the look of the "wrap-around" plaids in Richard's historic photos. It certainly wouldn't be an everyday look, but it does have a rakish sort of style to it. But then I'm partial to all sorts of old-fashioned and flamboyant things.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

Those plaid things are best left in the past! They were the very devil to carry smartly as they were always slipping about...

I've never worn one, but I did wonder how people get them to stay in place as they walk around. They always struck me as a bit of an affectation.

[Jock Scot]

I've never worn one, but I did wonder how people get them to stay in place as they walk around. They always struck me as a bit of an affectation.

Looked at through our eyes OCR I suppose they do look like an affectation, particularly as there are better alternatives these days. But there is no denying that at the period of time of those pictures and before, the lairds plaid did have its uses.

[kingandrew]

Affected, but useful is an interesting way of putting it.

This reminds me of an old bumper sticker I saw back in the 70s:
"If God had meant for us to be naked, we would have been born that way."
Looked at from that perspective, I fear all our clothes are a bit of an affectation. But they are mighty practical, as well.

I have a very large scarf and I will admit I tried wrapping it around me as I looked in the mirror, to see if it caught any of the style of these photos. However, it will take a more lordly-sized scarf to wrap around and still have enough to tie over my shoulder.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

No denying a traditional tartan travel rug can be a very useful thing.

At a rugby tournament my wife and I found a new one- clipped to the handrail directly behind our seats, it kept the brutal Nevada sun from beating on our backs all afternoon!