Piper's plaid/Full plaid with an Argyll jacket?

**Buckskin** · 27th January 09, 06:52 PM

Well here I come from the other side. I like wearing a full plaid! (Glad you droped the term "Piper") However, when you go to buy one, you will probably find it listed as a "Piper Plaid". You can buy Tartan matching plaids in the same fabric as the kilts from SWK and Frugal Corner. These tend to be smaller than the traditional size but still work to wear in a belted style. I wear this with my kilt whenever the weather allows. Though I have not worn one with a jacket, I have seen enough vintage pics to know that plaids were worn with day wear jackets. (Though not in a belted style.)

To me, if your going all decked out in "modern" formal kilt attire, then I would wear the "modern" fly plaid.

**puffer** · 27th January 09, 07:09 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but the "so called piper's Plaid" you are refering to is a "LAIRD's Plaid" Usually about the size of a "car blanket.(4' x 6-8') I have 2 & I use them often. not only for the look (draped over the shoulder ( NO PINS) but utility. ( drapped over both shoulders,like a shawl) like a Large scarf on a cold bench, etc That is what they are for. I wish I could afford more !!!

Puffer

**Nighthawk** · 27th January 09, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by puffer

Correct me if I am wrong, but the "so called piper's Plaid" you are refering to is a "LAIRD's Plaid" Usually about the size of a "car blanket.(4' x 6-8') I have 2 & I use them often. not only for the look (draped over the shoulder ( NO PINS) but utility. ( drapped over both shoulders,like a shawl) like a Large scarf on a cold bench, etc That is what they are for. I wish I could afford more !!!

Puffer

That's what I use mine for. I also use it as wear for my reenactment group. Clearly not a great kilt:

**Buckskin** · 27th January 09, 07:49 PM

I just hit "Plaid" in the Tags then went to Matt Newsoms post on "Traditional Plaid". Some good insite on the Belted look. I get the feeling that the LAIRD's Plaid was actually 3 to 4 yards and worn more losely over the shoulder.

**Kilted Craanen** · 28th January 09, 12:56 AM

Well the heavy weight will be fine. I can handle abit of heavy weight really :P could also turn the plaid into a dress plaid (drummer's plaid)?

I'm still considering it for three reasons:

I can get a nearly new full plaid from a piper friend in my tartan (he wears the same tartan) for 95 euros which should be about 115 dollars or so...

I still like the look!

It gets around -6 up to -12 degrees CELCIUS here in the winter and I hate wearing a coat with my kilt. I thought it'd be fancy picking up some oldschool highlander style and just wrap your plaid around you when youre cold!

Thanks for the tips and opinions so far!

Daniël Craanen

**Derek Conley** · 28th January 09, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by Frank McGrath

Anyway, it gets in the way of drinking.

Enough of a reason to leave it home!

**puffer** · 28th January 09, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

That's what I use mine for. I also use it as wear for my reenactment group. Clearly not a great kilt:

Here is a "reenacting" look"

**Good Egg** · 28th January 09, 10:55 AM

The full plaid, 'pipers' plaid or whatever you are going to call it looks very good if its worn correctly. The problem is that they are quite difficult to get on properly and the wearer looks like a scarecrow if done wrong.

The biggest problem you will have wearing it with a PC or argyle is that the jackets are not tight and the plaid needs to be tight, so you are going to have lots of jacket material bunched up which will look sloppy. Either that or a loose plaid which will not cut the mustardd

**puffer** · 28th January 09, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

The full plaid, 'pipers' plaid or whatever you are going to call it looks very good if its worn correctly. The problem is that they are quite difficult to get on properly and the wearer looks like a scarecrow if done wrong.

The biggest problem you will have wearing it with a PC or argyle is that the jackets are not tight and the plaid needs to be tight, so you are going to have lots of jacket material bunched up which will look sloppy. Either that or a loose plaid which will not cut the mustardd

That is true if you wear it "Piper Style" BUT I believe that we are talking about wearing it with a "TweeD. In this case it is NOT "WORN" but carried or draped. NO BROACHES etc. It basicly is a BLANKET

Puffer

**Pleater** · 28th January 09, 11:18 AM

When I go off to Sidmouth Folk Festival these days I take a side drum, and have found a long plaid very useful - worn with a long 'tail' if means I can sit down on the low concrete walls along the esplanade without skin contact, the folds and double layers on the left shoulder keep the shoulder strap away from my neck and spread the weight, the folds on the right hip keeps the metalwork from bruising me, and the general insulation means that I am comfortable even during the final procession which starts at 22:00 and it can be very cold waiting to set off.

It might not be so comfortable for a right handed drummer wearing the drum slung to the left, but it certainly works for me.

Anne the Pleater