Making a day plaid (aka laird's plaid)

[David Thorpe]

Same piece of cloth; different ways of wearing it.

I'm thinking that the same plaid could be worn as a braecan feile by looping the mid-point of the length over the back of a belt, folded into loose pleats and pinning with a brooch, doubled at the front of the shoulder.

[Cygnus]

Same piece of cloth; different ways of wearing it.

Interesting - thanks for the clarification. I can see why it would be worn bandolier style - it seems like it would be a bit of a challenge to balance such a long and unwieldy length of cloth on your shoulder without anything to hold it in place (as many seem to be doing in the photos).

[creagdhubh]

Same piece of cloth; different ways of wearing it.

***

Indeed, however some (day/blanket/laird - all the same principle idea) plaids are different lengths, typically depending upon the wearer's personal preference.

[creagdhubh]

I think there is a bit of confusion here between the "day plaid" and the full plaid. The day plaid is illustrated in Tobus' first two pictures and is, essentially, a tartan blanket folded and carried over the left shoulder. The full plaid, as worn by Euan MacPherson of Glentruim, is the plaid that is four yards by one and a half and worn wrapped around the body (those are the dimensions for a full plaid given by Adam Frank, by the way).

If you'd like to make a day plaid, Chas' recommendation on size seems about right; if a full plaid, 12' x 4.5' seems to be about the norm.

Glentruim's plaid (as shown above) was actually just a simple tartan throw/blanket and not specifically designed with the intent to be used solely as a plaid.

Cheers,