Fly plaid etiquette?

[Liam]

If I had the talent, I would consider doing what Isaacw did with his fly plaid...turn it into a waist coat! While I don't dislike the look, it is a piece of regalia that tends to hang in my closet.

[IsaacW]

Personally, I am not a fan of fly plaids. I recently purchased one only because it was inexpensive and I wanted it for the fabric. It has now been repurposed into a tartan waistcoat and a sash for my wife. I do not plan on ever owning one again.

IW

[Downunder Kilt]

The perfect use for the fly plaid Isaac. Cheers and well done

[Damion]

In Scotland, showing up the groom like that would be the height of poor taste. Only the groom and those he elects are supposed to wear fly plaids.

I've always been of the opinion that if the bride and groom can so easily be outdone by a guest then they didn't put enough effort into their own clothing.
In regards fly plaids, if someone can feel they're being upstaged by a piece of tartan draped over the shoulder then their own efforts must be minimal and perhaps that is what needs to change - away with the bare minimum and in with some real traditional attire.

[Cyd]

Thank you all for your input. It is a little awkward, and Jock I have to admit I would feel uncomfortable donning a fly plaid as a guest at a dance or a dinner. For those that don't understand, it is kind of like having everyone turn up to a royal event wearing a crown. The one guy with the right to wear a crown, the king, is going to get pissed off. The rest are just seen as indulging in rude sarcasm (or as my mates would say, "taking the piss").

Nathan and Jock, of course you are right and I will follow your advice. It is all I can do and still feel comfortable. The situation is rather awkward at first however, and will take some getting used to. I guess the best thing to do is to advise my new friends, through media such as this, to just tone it down a step or two when in Scotland, unless you wish to live through a similar discomfort to that I have experienced and perhaps best termed "culture shock."

[Cyd]

Setting aside for a moment how "traditional" a fly plaid might be... If you insist on wearing traditional garments in a non-traditional way, whether in the name of personal freedom or otherwise, you are mocking the tradition.

[MacCathmhaoil]

I'm not a fan of fly plaids either, honestly I have never been able to convince myself that there is an appropriate time or place for them. I have watched innumerable people catch them in car doors, bathroom doors and one I saw catch fire on a candle! As well I've seen the end result of someone snagging it on something and tearing the epaulet away from their jacket.
Follow Jock's sage advice and lead by example! Fly plaids fall into that "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" category in my opinion.

[Father Bill]

Umm....

If it isn't nice, maybe it doesn't belong here. Let's stay civil. That applies in more than one direction. Acid on the tongue isn't welcome at XMarks.

Father Bill+
Forum Moderator.

[Cyd]

post deleted

[Father Bill]

Thanks Cyd. There are often things said with good intention that can be better worded. The "Edit" function can keep things calm.