Fly Plaids - When, Where & Why?

[JSFMACLJR]

My apologies; my point was that I can't say I've ever seen anyone wear them with civilian kit. I was trying to make a comparison to full-size "gongs", which are worn on civilian suitcoats and blazers, and miniature medals, which may be worn on civilian formal attire.

I can see wearing one on mess dress, since it is a uniform, though.

T.

And only if one were entitled to wear them, correct?

[macwilkin]

And only if one were entitled to wear them, correct?

Yes, indeed. If I remember correctly, some fourragères are unit citations, and are surrendered when an individual leaves a particular unit.

T.

[JSFMACLJR]

I've worn them before and generally find them a nuisance. They get caught on everything, and some of them are really heavy. I'm thinking about getting a 2 color military aigulette (cords) for my left shoulder instead, to match my kilt and bring some color to the top half of a charlie jacket or mess jacket. The aigulette evolved from a similar tradition of hanging fabric (non-tartan) from the shoulder of a military uniform. Your thoughts?

If you are interested in bringing "some color [sic] to the top half of a charlie jacket or mess jacket," why not have the jackets made up in a colour other than black?

Are you certain that the aigulette evolved as you state?

[wyldathart]

It breaks all the "rules" I'm sure, but this I wore at a Burns night, do what you want . . .

That to me looks great, Not too gaudy and it doesn't look out of place to me. But like everything else, it's subject to personal tast. some like it, some don't. No big deal. I say if you can pull it off, do it

[Colonel MacNeal]

Regarding the aigulette, I was referring to having a custom one made up - a "clan aigulette" for lack of a better term, carefully avoiding any design already prescribed for another purpose. Aigulettes are typically used in militaries to identify an "aide-de-camp", an honor guard member, or to indicate a specific type of membership. The earlier statements on the fourragères are correct - they should never be worn by anyone not specifically entitled to them, and only during the prescribed periods of wear.

[macwilkin]

Regarding the aigulette, I was referring to having a custom one made up - a "clan aigulette" for lack of a better term, carefully avoiding any design already prescribed for another purpose. Aigulettes are typically used in militaries to identify an "aide-de-camp", an honor guard member, or to indicate a specific type of membership. The earlier statements on the fourragères are correct - they should never be worn by anyone not specifically entitled to them, and only during the prescribed periods of wear.

Now I understand, Colonel.

T.

[JSFMACLJR]

Thank you, Colonel MacNeal. I can't really imagine why you would want to wear one, but why not! The XMTS people are notorious for coming up with weird and fanciful expressions.

Regards,
Sandford

[Twa_Corbies]

The fly-plaid as shown here:



seems to be a rather modern (and cheap) substitute for the belted-plaid, which is a tailored item of dress having sewn-down pleats at its base and the long twisted fringe-tails on the other three sides.



As it's name suggests, it is usually made to be fastened about the wearer's waist with a light belt, and is worn to give the impression of the old brecan-feile, so that it appears to be attached to the kilt in back, being allowed to drape down from the waist behind and then pulled up and worn fastened over the left shoulder with a plaid-brooch. This is an attractive item of dress that should ONLY be worn with evening-wear, and NEVER with a tweed jacket or any sort of informal day dress.

If you want to wear a plaid with daywear, then all you need is 3 and a half yards of double width (54" wide) tartan fabric, fringed at either end with the long twisted fringe-tails. You can then fold it lengthwise a couple of times, then fold it width-wise in the middle and wear it draped over your left shoulder (without a brooch).



For formal occassions, if you are wearing a closed-front doublet, it can be worn folded lengthwise in pleats and passed under the right arm and pulled up over the right shoulder with one end hanging down in front and the other end hanging down in back, with a plaid-brooch fastened to it on the left shoulder, the way that pipers usually wear them.

[cavscout]

These historical prints by MacLeay set a very nice looking precedence for plaids being worn for day wear with tweed jackets in various folded fashions. Looks good to me.

[pastorsteve]

I love the photos and suggestions, thanks.