Fly Plaids - When, Where & Why?

[Bigkahuna]

The Belted Plaid is the same as what is called the Drummer's Plaid, which is worn by the drummers of most if not all of the Highland Regiments.Aigulettes evolved from pick and brush sets used with flintlocks and from picks carried by cavalry officers to spike cannons.

[Twa_Corbies]

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.

There's nothing at all wrong with wearing a folded plaid with day-wear, in fact it looks quite good. But the jewelled silver plaid-brooches are rather out of place with a tweed jacket nowadays, just as one usually wouldn't wear a horsehair sporran with informal day dress (even though it was quite common in the Victorian era). 125 years ago you would have been fully dressed if you turned out wearing a powderhorn, a pair of Highland pistols, a dirk and a broadsword with a crossbelt; but these days you would look a bit daft wearing all that, especially in the middle of the afternoon.

[Colonel MacNeal]

Got to differ on the Aigulettes - Wikipedia says they originate from the fabric/cords used to attach the shoulder/arm armor to the breastplate. Similar fabric/cords called mantling were used on the helmets as well.

[Mark E.]

No real historical record reference here, just a personal observation...If you wear a great kilt for extended periods, day after day, eventually your belt (real leather ones at least) wears the material thin, eventually separating the top half from the bottom...Perhaps this could be the "origin"?

[Paul]

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.

Thanks for the pics... they make a great explaination of the variety of ways to wear one.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Wouldn't it have been a natural extension of the tartan material left over that was draped over the shoulder after the kilt was gathered and belted?

[Rollo]

Wonderful pics Cavscout !

[JolyStNicholas]

Grand pictures, and I wish to thank everyone for their opinions on the topic of Fly Plaids. When I purchased my Seton Family Kilt I obtained the Fly Plain to match to fill out the kit. I have yet to wear it and am looking forward to the first opportunity. I think it adds a bit of grace and beauty to the formal/semi formal kit.

[Galician]

Oh, I'm glad this thread came up again. I missed it when it first developed. I have recently ordered a kilt in the Galician tartan (at long last!) and made sure to order a plaid, especially as this will be a special weave.

I personally like the plaid, especially as I can wrap it around myself on chilly days!

[davedove]

I personally like the plaid, especially as I can wrap it around myself on chilly days!

Or offer it as a wrap to a lady companion.