A pipers plaid is for...pipers....(but not all the time) and usually in full regalia. Granted, they do look nice, but cumbersome and definitely overkill in a formal situation. I reserve wearing a fly plaid for formal occasions which isn't very often. When I am piping I rarely wear a pipers plaid...as a matter of fact I can think of only 2 occasion I have done so. Hated them both times....They have their place, but for formal occasion, I would say "no".