Belting the Plaid: How'd They Do It??

[Woodsheal]

But for the modern day reenactor, as we don't have written directions from the period, all we have to go on are historic portraits showing it being worn. So any way that you can arrange the plaid so that the end result looks like the portrait or portraits you are going by is a legitimate method.

Which takes us back to my original point: we AREN'T achieving the end results shown in the period images using our tried-and-true "modern" methods, which leads to the conclusion that, however the historic highlanders were donning (or constructing - belt loops? rings and drawstrings?)their plaids, it is a "lost art."

Here's another example: the famous painting "A Pinch of Snuff" from ca. 1750. Look closely and you see that the pleating consists of crisp, even, wide box-pleats. I for one can't arrive at that end result by any method I've tried to belt on a plaid...!

[shawhighlander]

Which takes us back to my original point: we AREN'T achieving the end results shown in the period images...
Here's another example: the famous painting

Oan a wee note, this is a painting, donned in the style of the artist's eye.
Aye ith:

[Nighthawk]

Oan a wee note, this is a painting, donned in the style of the artist's eye.
Aye ith:

Where have I read that before...?

That's why I love experimental archaeology. Reenactors may sometimes get things wrong, but a lot of information has been gleened from going out and doing.

I couldn't agree more! I've learned so much by doing.