Plaid Brooch

**JSFMACLJR** · 31st January 09, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

Something I've noticed of late has been the placement of plaid brooches. I don't mean to pick on you Turpin, but this photo is perfect for this topic.

Many more people wear the brooch pinning the plaid on the chest, rather than in the position it was intended, which is closer to the shoulder. The plaid stays in place better when pinned properly.

Best regards,
Sandford

**Carolina Kiltman** · 31st January 09, 07:52 PM

Those pictures are most interesting! Seems the origins of the Brooch was an ornate pin to keep the fly plaid firmly held under the epaulet. I'll have to do some experimenting the next time I wear the fly plaid.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd February 09, 12:23 AM

They seem to be sinking ever lower as time goes by.

**The Barry** · 2nd February 09, 12:49 AM

I am curious about this sinking brooch trend. I can't wait until the more knowledgeable historical minds start chiming in on this.

**HeathBar** · 2nd February 09, 06:00 AM

With the exception of the 2nd and 5th photo, all of the plaids are wrapped around the body. So the weight of the plaid hanging on the back is not pulling the shoulder of the jacket backwards. The 2nd photo appears to be a "fly" plaid style and more of a photo "op" and probably a temporary situation. The 5th photo, the jacket(doublet) is likely held in place by the belt.

Since it's usually only the pipers these days that wear the plaid in a wrapped fasion, everyone else is lowering the placement of the brooch to act as a counterweight.

Just a quick observation.

**Adam Pound** · 2nd February 09, 08:19 AM

Now how daft do I feel? I didn't know the belt was to be worn OUTSIDE your PC.
D'oh!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 2nd February 09, 08:34 AM

In my not-so-humble opinion I think we are looking at a combination of factors:

1) a desire to "show off"
and
2) a lack of decent role models

Just like white socks, a lot of this can be laid at the door of those who copied pipe band uniforms as the proper mode of civilian dress.

**McMurdo** · 2nd February 09, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Adam Pound

Now how daft do I feel? I didn't know the belt was to be worn OUTSIDE your PC.
D'oh!

The belt is not worn outside your PC, in fact it is not worn with your PC. The jackets these men are wearing are Doublets. the belt is worn outside many different style doublets.

Back to the brooch placement it looks to me that these examples use the epaulet and in so doing save putting an un-necessary hole in a fine jacket.

**Adam Pound** · 2nd February 09, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

The belt is not worn outside your PC, in fact it is not worn with your PC. The jackets these men are wearing are Doublets. the belt is worn outside many different style doublets.

Back to the brooch placement it looks to me that these examples use the epaulet and in so doing save putting an un-necessary hole in a fine jacket.

Ah WHEW!

I was steps away from a fashion faux pas!

**turpin** · 2nd February 09, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

The belt is not worn outside your PC, in fact it is not worn with your PC. The jackets these men are wearing are Doublets. the belt is worn outside many different style doublets.

Back to the brooch placement it looks to me that these examples use the epaulet and in so doing save putting an un-necessary hole in a fine jacket.

Actually, one can thread the plaid under the epaulet, then pin the brooch onto the plaid, thus keeping it from sliding backwards w/o actually pinning the brooch to the jacket. the brooch will then ride right at the epaulet.