Pipers plaid/ fly plaid

**gasbag** · 20th June 09, 07:22 PM

Just a quick question, when is it appropriate/ not appropriate, to wear a fly plaid. What jacket can/ should it be worn with and can a fly plaid of different colour to kilt be worn? EG MacLeod hunting tartan kilt with Loud MacLeod Fly plaid?
As a newb i am quite interested.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 20th June 09, 07:52 PM

Sorry, I just couldn't help it.

The wearing of a plaid is generally reserved for very formal attire, or when one is getting married. Other than that (unless you are in a band that wears a plaid as part of their uniform) plaids just aren't worn nowdays, except as noted above.

The plaid would be worn with one of the formal evening jackets-- dress Argyll, Prince Charlie, regulation (or standard) Doublet; Montrose, Kenmore, or Sheriffmuir doublet.

And no, I wouldn't mix tartans-- the plaid must match the kilt, UNLESS you are in the second touring company of the revival of "Brigadoon".

**gasbag** · 20th June 09, 08:52 PM

As i said, i have no idea of dress standards, thats why i am asking

Thanks for the reply though

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 20th June 09, 09:07 PM

Go to GENERAL KILT TALK-- the first post is: 1 KILT 10 LOOKS-- this will answer 99% of your questions about kilted dress standards!

**cavscout** · 20th June 09, 09:51 PM

Here's a lengthy thread with a similar discussion

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/w...mixing+tartans

**Buckskin** · 20th June 09, 10:25 PM

MOR gave you a good answer concerning "Fly" plaids. Usually 40" x 40", Though the better ones will go 50"x50". It is the evolution of the day/piper/Laird plaid, which is evolution of the top half of a great kilt.

The day/piper/Laird plaid is 48" to 54" (double width) wide and can go 6' to 9' in length. The most popular commercially made is 48"x 8' and is marketed as a piper plaid. (See SWK's accessories) As, one of the names implies, it is suitible for day wear. There have been many lengthy threads on how to wear this. Use the search engine with of one these key words.
Hopefully, I have given you a quick answer, to start you in direction for more info. I'm sure others will elaborate as well.

Here is a pic of me with what I would call a day plaid. It is actually comercially made and sold by SWK.

**Jock Scot** · 21st June 09, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by Buckskin

MOR gave you a good answer concerning "Fly" plaids. Usually 40" x 40", Though the better ones will go 50"x50". It is the evolution of the day/piper/Laird plaid, which is evolution of the top half of a great kilt.

The day/piper/Laird plaid is 48" to 54" (double width) wide and can go 6' to 9' in length. The most popular commercially made is 48"x 8' and is marketed as a piper plaid. (See SWK's accessories) As, one of the names implies, it is suitible for day wear. There have been many lengthy threads on how to wear this. Use the search engine with of one these key words.
Hopefully, I have given you a quick answer, to start you in direction for more info. I'm sure others will elaborate as well.

Here is a pic of me with what I would call a day plaid. It is actually comercially made and sold by SWK.

Forgive me for pointing this out, but the plaid you are wearing is not a day/lairds plaid. The Day/lairds plaid is just folded and placed over the shoulder with no fixing at all. The one you are wearing has a fixing at the shoulder, so it is some form of fly/pipers plaid. Sorry to be rather pedantic on the subject.

**JolyStNicholas** · 21st June 09, 04:01 AM

Not intruding on your debate over dress standards, just commenting on your Lairds plaid. Weather it is correct with or without the plaid broach it does look good and I do like it.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 21st June 09, 08:13 AM

I'd have to agree with Jock Scot-- a day plaid is just folded up and slung over the shoulder; I can't ever remember seeing one one pinned up like those worn by bandsmen.

Is this errant pedantry? No. More like preserving a cultural imperative!

**Buckskin** · 22nd June 09, 05:06 AM

My multiple use of names was really to define lengths, formallity, and to seperate it from the "Fly" plaid. I agree, the "Laird" approach is different from the way I am wearing it, in the pic. I have no problem using the term "Day" for this style.

I strung the words together for a reason. They seam to be used interchangeably. I would agree that, on their finer points, there is a differance in all three. But, that really wasn't the point I was after.