Fly Plaids

**pastorsteve** · 5th March 09, 08:49 PM

Okay. I've read many threads and many more posts on the question of fly plaids and haven't gleaned any real information on my quest for knowledge. I like the way the flys look when worn but I don't really know when, where and even why they are worn.

Are they just pinned and thrown back over the shoulder with abandon? Or, is there a prescribed "proper" method to wearing flys? I have seen old photos with them hanging back over the shoulder. I have seen photos with them wrapped around the torso and thrown back over the shoulder. I have even seen photos with them folded neatly and carefully laid back over the shoulder.

Especially from our highly-regarded Scottish brethren, and others in the know, I would like to know the way to wear a fly plaid. I'm not talking about a "day plaid" here. I was thinking more about wearing one wrapped over one shoulder and under the other pinned at the over-shoulder side. It would give it a similar appearance to a great kilt and worn with a sweater.

**Buckskin** · 5th March 09, 09:05 PM

The pictures you show are fly plaids. At 4' x 4' thats about all you get. The over the shoulder and wraped is a long plaid probably 6' to 9'. You wont get a fly plaid around you that much.
I guess the fly plaid evolved from the the great kilt look you descibe, but today it is worn pretty much as you see the pictures and mostly in formal settings.
The Day (Piper, laird, long) Plaid has been discussed here many times. It is longer, can be wraped or not many ways, and is acceptable day wear. In my opinion even in semi formal wear. I'm on record as being a big fan of the long plaid. The way you are describing the way you want to wear it, it would have to have the length of a long plaid.
I'm sure many others will give you a more fleshed out answer. This is my quick two cents.

**pastorsteve** · 5th March 09, 09:06 PM

I have recently seen some that are 105" by 53". Does this sound long enough?

**davedove** · 6th March 09, 05:36 AM

The long ones, that wrap around the torso, under one arm and crossed over the other shoulder, are more commonly known as "piper's plaids". I have only ever seen them on pipe bands and the like.

**Buckskin** · 6th March 09, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by pastorsteve

I have recently seen some that are 105" by 53". Does this sound long enough?

That will work quite well, but it isn't considered a "Fly Plaid" Your now into a Long/Laird/Piper Plaid. Take a look at SWK. They have "Piper Plaids" at 4' x 8' for sale that match some of the kilts they offer. To get the full double width, you will have to buy bolt goods by the yard or meter and fringe yourself. I have done this.

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 09, 06:19 AM

If you forget assorted Scots musicians, the Fly plaid is only( very,very rarely too) worn at formal events. It seems to have become a fashion for the groom to wear one at his wedding. In my opinion this "fashion "should be resisted and it is, also, not an accessory that lends itself to being worn for inappropriate occasions.

**Kilted Craanen** · 6th March 09, 06:31 AM

As many think that Fly plaids are to be worn either on VERY formal occasions, or when being the groom I do not agree. I think fly plaids may be worn with any formal outfit (not day outfit, thats what you got that day plaid thing for)

As for wearing - stick it through the left epaulet and secure it on your chest with a brooch.

there is also a plaid which you wear the same way, but because it's longer you tuck the bottom under your belt (not sure what that's called)

Regards, Daniel

**pastorsteve** · 6th March 09, 09:20 AM

I don't really see piper bands so what I've seen has always been more casual. These photos may well be great kilts but I think I've seen the same thing done with long plaids. I think someone mentioned seeing it done in Rob Roy if I'm not mistaken.

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 09, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by pastorsteve

I don't really see piper bands so what I've seen has always been more casual. These photos may well be great kilts but I think I've seen the same thing done with long plaids. I think someone mentioned seeing it done in Rob Roy if I'm not mistaken.

I mean no offence ,but to my Scots eyes, these outfits are best left to Walt Disney.

**Phil** · 6th March 09, 09:42 AM

Wearing a "fly plaid" or plaidie is an unusual sight here in Scotland other than in pipe bands, and not all of them either. It seems to have become fashionable for the groom and best man at wedding just in the last few years and I can see the point when everyone else is kilted so they stand out a bit. I presume you are not planning to wear one on an everyday basis - are you? As Jock has suggested, if you want to wear the kilt as a fancy dress costume then this is the way to go, otherwise restraint sometimes is the best policy.