Fly Plaid Counter-Weight

[Panama CZ]

As my wife, Lady Livingston, prefers I wear the Livingston modern and ancient fly plaids with my PC, and given that they’re made from 16 oz cloth, I've been questioning whether a counter-weight, located in the left inside pocket of the PC, would help offset the weight of the trailing portion of the fly plaid (the portion of the fly plaid hanging to the back, as opposed to the smaller, diamond-shaped portion that hangs in front).

After reading many of the posts on this wonderful forum regarding attaching the fly plaid, and after much experimentation on my own, I now simply use a single straight pin to attach the fly plaid to my PC, and then pin the broach to the fly plaid, and not the PC. As my kilts are made by the lovely ladies at Ben Wyvis Kilts in Inverness, I also use the loop they affix to the fly plaid, attaching it to the epaulet button as an extra precaution.

But as those of us that wear the heavier fly plaids know, the weight of the trailing portion of the fly plaid tends to also pull back the left shoulder of the PC unless it has been compensated by the weight of a broach, or perhaps a breast-style wallet.

Other posts suggest attaching counter-weights to the front of the fly plaid itself to counter-balance the weight of the trailing portion of the fly plaid. This seems to make a lot of sense, but since I pin the fly plaid to the PC, I was wondering why this weight couldn’t just as easily be transferred to the inside left breast jacket pocket.

So, I’m wondering if anyone here has tried counter-balancing the weight of a 16 oz fly plaid, by simply adding weight to the left inside PC pocket of the PC. If not, I will report back once I’ve tried this.

Alternatively, if you’ve already got a solution to what I’ve hopefully described clearly, please share this with me.

Thanks,

Mike

[The Wizard of BC]

If you have been looking through the vintage photos you will see quite a few fly plaids worn like this.



The fly plaid as worn today is much smaller and lighter and can be worn simply draped over the shoulder. But if you are using a large plaid or a heavy one you might consider trying to wear it like these photos show.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Try this: Attach a flat trouser button to the inside of your jacket, in line with the centre of your LEFT shoulder seam. Have a 1.5 inch button hole let in to your waistcoat just ahead of the LEFT shoulder seam. Attach a second button to the inside of the right flap of your kilt, approximately in line with the shoulder button inside your jacket. Now, get a pair of black elastic braces (suspenders in the USA)-- the kind that button-- and cut off one of the front straps. Take the leather loop from the other side and have that stitched on the end of the brace that has been cut off. This elastic strap buttons to the inside of the jacket, threads through (and under) your waistcoat, and buttons to your kilt. Being elastic it allows you to move, while at the same time preventing the weight of the fly plaid from pulling your jacket back.

[davedove]

I haven't really noticed the fly plaid pullng the jacket shoulder back (unless I accidentally sit on it).

What I have noticed is the weight of the plaid pulling the whole jacket to the left. The thing I notice in pictures is the sleeve pulls down on the left side and rises on the right. I haven't figured out a good solution for that yet.

[PiobBear]

I’m wondering if anyone here has tried counter-balancing the weight of a 16 oz fly plaid, by simply adding weight to the left inside PC pocket of the PC.

A flask of Scotch works wonderfully (in so many ways)!

[Panama CZ]

Thanks for the replies guys!!

My plaid is the modern traditional length, so wearing it as suggested by the vintage photo Steve posted isn't an option.

And as I will frequently remove my jacket to cool myself from time to time, the option MacMillan posted doesn't sound like it will suit my needs either.

However, PiobBear's suggestion of a flask may be worth trying. I'm guessing the flask with liquid as a counter-weight will need to be about 2 lbs as the plaid itself weighs slightly more than 1 lb.

To date, I haven’t experienced the pulling davedove describes, however, I periodically pull the plaid’s bottom right corner to the right (with my right hand) to spread it across my back, and then let settle to where it hangs naturally.

Thanks again,

Mike

[siva011]

However, PiobBear's suggestion of a flask may be worth trying. I'm guessing the flask with liquid as a counter-weight will need to be about 2 lbs as the plaid itself weighs slightly more than 1 lb.

Halfway through the night you start asking yourself "Why is it pulling again? The flask method worked fine earlier in the evening! Why is my flask only 1lb now instead of 2lbs? And why is the floor moving like that???!!!!"

[Panama CZ]

Good one siva011!!

I should have added that the 2nd flask, in the right breast pocket, is used for the ocassional wee nip.

However, as my favorite adult beverage is Myers's Rum, it usually takes at least one 5th before the floor starts moving - too much to locate in one, or both flasks.

Mike

[Panama CZ]

After doing a little research, and basing liquid weight on that of water, it looks like I'd need 32 oz to make 2 lbs.

I've found a 64 oz flask, but it's a little tall for a breast pocket, and have had no luck yet finding a 32 oz flask using the internet.

Does anyone here know who makes a 32 oz rigid (metal or plastic) flask that would fit in a breast pocket?

Thanks,

Mike

[slohairt]

Jacket weight depends as well. I've only ever worn a fly plaid with my Regulation Doublet. It's made from 15 oz. Barathea and with all those silver buttons it weighs a ton! So I've never experienced the shoulder pull, though I've seen it happen to others. Newer jackets are sometimes made from lighter weight wool, like 11 oz. Doune and have chromed buttons made from a fairly light weight metal. It's seems the older the jacket the heavier it is. Something to think about.