Fly Plaid - Over or Under

[BLHS209]

OK, I am mentally planning for my daughters wedding in July and have a question on the fly plaid. Various photos I have seen show it either going over or under the shoulder "flap" (can't think of the correct term right now). Is there a more "correct" way or is it a user preference?

The coat I will be wearing is an Argyle (see thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f108/revealed-59655/), I don't care for the PC, that is why I went with this one and the fly plaid is about 46" long, made of 10 oz wool.

Any help and/or photos would be helpful.

[Kornkob]

The term is epaulet.

[Chas]

Under - No question, that's what it is there for.

Regards

Chas

[ForresterModern]

The typical pre-tailored fly plaid has one corner that is pre-pleated in a bunched grouping of short pleats. This corner should be run under the left shoulder epaulet so the bunched pleats are at the level of the epaulet. Then your fly plaid brooch should pin to the tail that hangs down over the front of your left shoulder. There are varying opinions about wearing fly plaids in general, but most folks suggest that the brooch should only be pinned to the front portion of the plaid and not to the underlying jacket front, so as to not inadvertently ruin your jacket if the plaid gets snagged and pulled somehow. The weight of the brooch should hold it in place alone. Secondly, most folks would say that a fly plaid, if worn at all, should probably be done with a PC or other dressier jacket outfit and less likely with the Argyll, since it is considered one step below black tie dressy. However, those are opinions and not law. I do occsionally wear mine with my Argyll, as can be seen in the photo below, me on the left of the picture in my Argyll with plaid, my friend on the right in his PC without plaid.



Pardon the stark white hose, this was early in my kilting career, although I still think they look good with the outfit. Today I would wear my custom tartan argyll hose in lieu of the white, and probably not wear the plaid with the Argyll, with a few possible exceptions. Hope this helps.

jeff

[Galician]

A pin or clasp can be used to attach and hold the plaid in the front. Some lovely ones are made in the old style, which accomplish this purpose, and might be more helpful (perhaps even more traditional) than use of a brooch.

[BLHS209]

The typical pre-tailored fly plaid has one corner that is pre-pleated in a bunched grouping of short pleats.

Oops, I did forget to mention that I do have the pin and the fly plaid is tailored / pre pleated.

Thanks everyone for your help (so far).

[Carolina Kiltman]

When I bought my first outfit, I bought a Braemer rather than an Argyle, for the reason It generally (in my eyes) looks a step up toward the formal (about like a tux), and a waistcoat (vest) along with the fly plaid makes it even more formal.

Considering that too many young people today think that a sport jacket is "going formal" I think that the outfit you describe would be just fine. Just don't wear a belt with the waistcoat.

BTW
Congratulations to the young couple, from a pair of 52 year veterans!

[Kornkob]

Just don't wear a belt with the waistcoat.

Unless you need it to hold the kilt up.


Nothing says 'informal' like a kilt around your ankles.

[ForresterModern]

Unless you need it to hold the kilt up.


Nothing says 'informal' like a kilt around your ankles.

And if you do need it to hold up your kilt you can keep the buckle from being a problem by twisting the belt buckle off center over one hip so that it does not show out from under the waistcoat. Also works if you need to use sporran hangers with your belt and a waistcoat with your jacket.

[Kornkob]

Besides--- look a couple posts up and you see 2 nearly identical get ups and one guy has a belt on but both look smashing.

It's not as bad as the traditionalists make it sound.