So... which plaid is which?

[Troglodyte]

A Laird's plaid is synonymous with a day plaid, as far as I know. It's not a square. It's usually a double-width bolt of tartan (or two single-widths joined together down the middle), approximately 3 to 4 yards in length depending on the wearer's preference, and purled/fringed or plaited/braided at both ends. It is worn folded lengthwise several times so it's a long narrow strip of folded cloth, then folded in half widthwise and draped over the shoulder with fringed ends showing at the front. It's basically like carrying a folded blanket over your shoulder. It can, of course, be unfolded and worn in various other ways or used as a picnic blanket, a cloak for the wife, etc.





*edited to add: if you want to get really wild with a day/laird's plaid, wear it like the chap shown at right in this photo. He basically made an impromptu waistcoat out of it (but worn over his jacket). That's definitely one way to not have to hang on to it with your left arm like the other three in the photo are having to do!

The gent on the far right is wearing his plaid in a way I have only ever seen in illustrations or photos, or referred to by description - never in 'real life' in other words.

But it gives a good idea of how the plaid can be fixed securely about the body, with no trailing ends to catch on things.

And the chap in the centre seems to have his hooked around in right shoulder, around his back, and over his left shoulder to fall at the front - which I have seen and done on occasion.

I have detected at various times scorn for the plaid - what is it people have against them, even for others' use?