Belted plaid in 2019

[jthk]

While normally I prefer the traditional kilt, yesterday I decided to wear the plaid to work. (I'm a schoolteacher.) Here are the results.

[dcommini]

While normally I prefer the traditional kilt, yesterday I decided to wear the plaid to work. (I'm a schoolteacher.) Here are the results.

Looks good!

[Blaidd]

While normally I prefer the traditional kilt, yesterday I decided to wear the plaid to work. (I'm a schoolteacher.) Here are the results.

Always ike your look! I think you may have already answered this, but what belt do you use to secure the GK (ie 'underneath')?

[jthk]

Always like your look! I think you may have already answered this, but what belt do you use to secure the GK (ie 'underneath')?

Hey, thanks! I use a canvas double-D ring belt to actually secure the plaid to my body. I've also used other belts but when I know I'm going to use that big leather belt on the OUTSIDE, I prefer the thinner, more flexible belt underneath.

I will say that wearing the plaid as is shown in these photographs can be tiring if it's for the entire day. When I take off the canvas belt and let the plaid drop, it's always a sigh of relief. I have gone hiking out in the bush with a plaid but I've found it much more pleasurable if I can secure the above-the-belt plaid on my back or across my chest so it's not hanging in the rear.

(I fully acknowledge that the belted plaid is a historic garment that reeks of pageantry / costume / Brigadoonery in 2019 but I still like it.)

[Blaidd]

Hey, thanks! I use a canvas double-D ring belt to actually secure the plaid to my body. I've also used other belts but when I know I'm going to use that big leather belt on the OUTSIDE, I prefer the thinner, more flexible belt underneath.

I will say that wearing the plaid as is shown in these photographs can be tiring if it's for the entire day. When I take off the canvas belt and let the plaid drop, it's always a sigh of relief. I have gone hiking out in the bush with a plaid but I've found it much more pleasurable if I can secure the above-the-belt plaid on my back or across my chest so it's not hanging in the rear.

(I fully acknowledge that the belted plaid is a historic garment that reeks of pageantry / costume / Brigadoonery in 2019 but I still like it.)

I know exactly what you mean about removal I use a far lighter replacement fabric when wearing the full plaid, but even that is tiring! Thank for the tip re the belt, another buckle underneath the plaid is uncomfortable for sure!! Like you, I like it - it's something a little different, and some folks can't handle 'different'!

[jthk]

I know exactly what you mean about removal I use a far lighter replacement fabric when wearing the full plaid, but even that is tiring! Thank for the tip re the belt, another buckle underneath the plaid is uncomfortable for sure!! Like you, I like it - it's something a little different, and some folks can't handle 'different'!

The plaid in the picture is 16 oz wool so it's much heavier than my PV belted plaid. The canvas D-ring is tied on and the buckle is off to my right side so when I put the Big Bad-*** Leather Belt on, the buckles aren't on top of each other.

How do you wear yours? Toss up some photos if you want.

I wear the plaid because I'm very interested in the actual garment as a "normal" piece of clothing; that is, the highlanders invented something very similar to what we call the belted plaid and wore it for quite some time -- probably engaged in a lot of physical movement (work, travelling, etc.). There are quite a few differences, however, between me and my life and the lives of the highlanders from the 16th-18th century. I do not work outside, and while my climate has some similarities with the highland weather, it's not exactly the same. I have a WIDE variety of clothing options available to me that were never available to the highlanders. I have, overall, a much easier, safer, and healthier life than most of those folks did. But I'm still interested in the kilt and its predecessors as a "working" article of clothing.

[dcommini]

The plaid in the picture is 16 oz wool so it's much heavier than my PV belted plaid. The canvas D-ring is tied on and the buckle is off to my right side so when I put the Big Bad-*** Leather Belt on, the buckles aren't on top of each other.

How do you wear yours? Toss up some photos if you want.

I wear the plaid because I'm very interested in the actual garment as a "normal" piece of clothing; that is, the highlanders invented something very similar to what we call the belted plaid and wore it for quite some time -- probably engaged in a lot of physical movement (work, travelling, etc.). There are quite a few differences, however, between me and my life and the lives of the highlanders from the 16th-18th century. I do not work outside, and while my climate has some similarities with the highland weather, it's not exactly the same. I have a WIDE variety of clothing options available to me that were never available to the highlanders. I have, overall, a much easier, safer, and healthier life than most of those folks did. But I'm still interested in the kilt and its predecessors as a "working" article of clothing.

I obviously share the same interests as you do. I have worn my plaid doing construction before, and other various outside work environments. Unfortunately, I do not have any opportunities to wear my plaid at my current job, so I do so just whenever.

In Alaska, the climate is a bit more harsh than the highlands in the winter time (at least from what I've heard), so wearing of the plaid often entails making sure that the rest of me is going to be OK. That being said, I've worn my plaid in the desert, in the rain forest, on the top of a mountain, in the woods of Tennessee, and many other places and environments. It is a good and functional garment for just about anywhere (except maybe Antarctica and the far northern climes).

Also, lastly, as for a belt to keep the whole thing together... I use the tan nylon belt the Army gave me (similar type pictured below), it keeps it secure and it lays flat, even through the buckle part that having a larger belt on the outside isn't uncomfortable.

[jthk]

I obviously share the same interests as you do. I have worn my plaid doing construction before, and other various outside work environments. Unfortunately, I do not have any opportunities to wear my plaid at my current job, so I do so just whenever.

In Alaska, the climate is a bit more harsh than the highlands in the winter time (at least from what I've heard), so wearing of the plaid often entails making sure that the rest of me is going to be OK. That being said, I've worn my plaid in the desert, in the rain forest, on the top of a mountain, in the woods of Tennessee, and many other places and environments. It is a good and functional garment for just about anywhere (except maybe Antarctica and the far northern climes).

Also, lastly, as for a belt to keep the whole thing together... I use the tan nylon belt the Army gave me (similar type pictured below), it keeps it secure and it lays flat, even through the buckle part that having a larger belt on the outside isn't uncomfortable.

Thanks for sharing; are you wearing the same plaid in all of these environments? May I ask -- do you pleat it every time or do you have belt loops? What do you do with the material ABOVE the belt?

I recently made some Native-styled leggings to use in VERY cold weather -- blue wool with red knee-garters. I can't find the exact picture I'm looking for but here are some ideas, but using deerskin. There's also one with European-styled gaiters which I've also purchased from Townsends: (https://www.townsends.us/collections...s-ga986-p-1578).

1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/431290101815015696/
2. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326299935503610946/
3. https://bantarleton.tumblr.com/post/...ck-watch-north

Best,
Jonathan

[Blaidd]

The plaid in the picture is 16 oz wool so it's much heavier than my PV belted plaid. The canvas D-ring is tied on and the buckle is off to my right side so when I put the Big Bad-*** Leather Belt on, the buckles aren't on top of each other.

How do you wear yours? Toss up some photos if you want.

I wear the plaid because I'm very interested in the actual garment as a "normal" piece of clothing; that is, the highlanders invented something very similar to what we call the belted plaid and wore it for quite some time -- probably engaged in a lot of physical movement (work, travelling, etc.). There are quite a few differences, however, between me and my life and the lives of the highlanders from the 16th-18th century. I do not work outside, and while my climate has some similarities with the highland weather, it's not exactly the same. I have a WIDE variety of clothing options available to me that were never available to the highlanders. I have, overall, a much easier, safer, and healthier life than most of those folks did. But I'm still interested in the kilt and its predecessors as a "working" article of clothing.

Agreed! Regrettably, I have no pictures... Something I need to address! It certainly strikes up some great conversations. Many have seen 'a cilt' but the GK looks something completely different. In my opinion, when done right, it can look 'better'. (now taking cover.... 🤣)

[Jock Scot]

Agreed! Regrettably, I have no pictures... Something I need to address! It certainly strikes up some great conversations. Many have seen 'a cilt' but the GK looks something completely different. In my opinion, when done right, it can look 'better'. (now taking cover.... ��)

No need to dive for cover, but I am afraid that we will have to differ on this.

Personally, I think that the great kilt is best left to the history books and the theatre. The wearing of the great kilt in my and some others in Scotland day to day experiences, just brings silent ridicule and despair to knowledgeable kilt wearers who occasionally see them in the wild and the thought of perhaps some actor has wandered off the film set, springs to mind. Sorry and it gives me no pleasure to be so blunt.