I call mine a 'Long plaid' as it is even longer than the one worn by puffer.

I take it with me to the folk festival in Sidmouth, in the South west of England
as I am outside in all weathers for a week, and on the final evening there is a late night procession, and with instruments, backpack or shoulder bag it is much better than a jacket or any other covering.

It is very put on and off-able, and when worn can be adjusted for rain, hail, sun, wind and anything else the weather can throw, plus it makes sitting on concrete walls, steps and the like far more comfortable. An added bonus is that when I put on my side drum the plaid pads my neck and shoulder from the strap and my hip from the metal rim and adjusters of the drum itself.

I supose that the plaid is associated with formal events - particularly the fly plaid, but I find that when 'roughing it' in uncertain weather a long length of woolen cloth is just the thing to make it more endurable.