Wearing a Plaid as a Practical Accessory

[creagdhubh]

I always caution not to mix formality, as well I think that the kilt gets a bad rap as being a costume by those in the general public. For these reasons I would not wear the fly plaid casually. In fact I think it is a strange item formally as well. Another thought is that a fly plaid is not a day plaid and should not be used as such.

Precisely. Well said, Glen.

In my opinion, the so-called, "fly plaid" is a superfluous garment and really serves no purpose other than a simple fashion accessory to be worn with Highland evening attire. However, the day/Laird's/shepherd's/blanket plaid can serve many purposes (inclement/cold weather, picnic blanket, a tartan throw at home, etc), and isn't just an exclusive fashion accessory to Highland day attire. Along with other Highlanders, many Macphersons at our clan's annual gathering and rally continue the tradition of wearing the day plaid in varying lengths (most have been handed down and are quite old). The majority of the plaids are around 4-5 yards (heavyweight, single or double width tartan), and have a 6-7" of hand-purled fringe at opposite ends, much like a piper's plaid, but without the pleating. The plaid is folded in half by its length, then folded in half by its width to bring the two fringed ends together, and worn over the left shoulder with the fringe hanging in front. When done right, I think day plaids are far from being "costumey" and can look rather smart, as well as being quite practical, functional and traditional.

Clan Macpherson Chieftain, Euan Macpherson of Glentruim and his massive day plaid in the Macpherson Hunting tartan. When not on his person, Glentruim's plaid doubled as a blanket, or a tartan "throw" at his home of Glentruim House in Badenoch. Lachlan Macpherson of Glentruim, Euan's son, once told me that his mum and Euan's wife, Sandra Macpherson, had to assist him in putting the plaid on due to its massive size.









Other visual examples of the day plaid used in a traditional manner:

[Pleater]

as one often at odds with convention, I find that my long plaids are very useful when the weather is uncertain or wet or cold or windy.

I made one so that when I go to the week long folk festival in Sidmouth, Devon, and am often out and away from the van for long periods during the day I have something to keep the weather off and me cool or dry or warm - it is adaptable and useful.

They have been covered in mud, soaked in rain and seawater - and once, beer, I even have one which has been sun bleached in places, and the greens have faded to lime and yellow - that was an unusually fine hot week at the end of July.

I often carry a small drum to beat for the morris dancing, and the plaid acts as a cushion for the strap and drum - I used to get bruises and weals particularly in processions before I put on a plaid.

The plaids I use are a little longer than a military one, and I wear them wrapped in the same way but looser - like a classical toga. In bad weather I can tuck one corner under the drum strap and wrap it around my kilt anticlockwise, then around again over my shoulders or head so as to be well protected - and the wool is warm.

I do carry a lightweight poncho style waterproof, but the plaid is the main insulation and protection from the elements.

The size of a fly plaid makes it the minimum amount of fabric for anything useful, but it is obviously still useful and serves a purpose other than a decorative one.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Tobus]

Livonian, I can see where you're coming from. A fly plaid can have many uses, even ones for which it wasn't intended. There's no question that it can be a practical item in many ways.

I think the reason it isn't used more commonly, though, is that its size and design are a bit of a compromise. It's not quite large enough to really wrap up in when it's cold, and the shape of it isn't very useful compared to a full plaid or a day plaid. And to be honest, it seems a bit ...shall we say... "dainty" for everyday use. That daintiness makes it appealing as a formal accessory (for those who like the look with formal attire). But as a practical everyday item, I think a good old fashioned day plaid serves the purpose much better and just looks more robust and masculine.

Of course, I am speaking from the viewpoint of a male. I could see where a fly plaid would make a nice elegant everyday accessory for a female, much like a shawl but with a bit more functionality.

[Livonian]

While I do agree that the fly plaid (worn as a fly plaid) looks a tad dainty as a piece of daywear, when carried as a day plaid or at least properly kept under control, it looks more proportional than the full day plaid, which has the tendency to appear oversized. In fact, when carried on one shoulder, it seems to almost belong there.

I will agree that it could stand to be larger, perhaps six feet square.

[Tobus]

While I do agree that the fly plaid (worn as a fly plaid) looks a tad dainty as a piece of daywear, when carried as a day plaid or at least properly kept under control, it looks more proportional than the full day plaid, which has the tendency to appear oversized. In fact, when carried on one shoulder, it seems to almost belong there.

I will agree that it could stand to be larger, perhaps six feet square.

Livonian, would it be possible to post a photo of you wearing the fly plaid like a day plaid? I'd be interested to see how it looks proportionally, compared to a day plaid.

When I ordered my kilt, I bought an extra 5 yards of double-width tartan with it, partly for the purpose of making a day plaid. I have never gotten around to cutting the length I need for a day plaid, because I know there's a lot of work in hand-purling the fringe at the ends. One of these days I'll get around to it, but one of the things that concerns me about carrying around a day plaid is keeping it on my shoulder. Apparently my shoulders are narrow enough and have just enough slope that it's difficult to keep anything draped over them. When carrying a satchel or duffel bag, for instance, I constantly have to readjust it or keep one hand on the strap, lest it slide off my shoulder. If I were to carry a day plaid, I'm thinking I'd have to do the full-chest wrap like Euan MacPherson of Glentruim, rather than folding it over length-wise and simply draping it over one shoulder.

I'm unlikely to go with a smaller plaid like a fly plaid, but it is possible that I might need to scale down the day plaid to account for my small stature and shoulders. Just purely for visual aesthetic purposes, I'd be very interested to see what your fly plaid looks like when worn as you describe.

[creagdhubh]

I'm unlikely to go with a smaller plaid like a fly plaid, but it is possible that I might need to scale down the day plaid to account for my small stature and shoulders. Just purely for visual aesthetic purposes, I'd be very interested to see what your fly plaid looks like when worn as you describe.

Excellent point here, Tobus. This is something that I haven't really thought of before. We know that a traditional day plaid is around 4-5 yards of tartan (sometimes larger), either in single or double width; however, I do agree that it may be quite beneficial for the wearer to scale down the size a wee bit - not only to ensure that it doesn't fall off the wearer's shoulder, but also to ensure an aesthetically pleasing garment.