kilt/fly plaid tartans?

**KiltedMariner** · 9th February 12, 04:45 PM

Greetings,

I have had a Bruce modern kilt for a few years now. I had an opportunity to get a fly plaid, so I took it. The problem: while they are both Bruce tartans, the fly plaid is a "bigger" pattern than the kilt. Should I wear the two together?

I plan to wear it mostly as part of a drum major uniform for a fife and drum corps.

(I think my, ahem, kiltmaker used the wrong tartan.)

Thank you,
Richard

**Paul Henry** · 9th February 12, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedMariner

Greetings,

I have had a Bruce modern kilt for a few years now. I had an opportunity to get a fly plaid, so I took it. The problem: while they are both Bruce tartans, the fly plaid is a "bigger" pattern than the kilt. Should I wear the two together?

....snip.....

(I think my, ahem, kiltmaker used the wrong tartan.)

Thank you,
Richard

Without seeing both together it is hard to make any judgment, but it's not unusual for the same tartan , but in different sett sizes to be used together. It might be as simple as your kilt was in a 13 oz weight, and the fly in 16oz.That would easily account for a difference in the sett size.
Here is an example of the Isle of Skye tartan in 13oz (smaller sett)and 16 oz (larger sett) just to give you an idea of the difference between differing weights of cloth

Of course it could be for an entirely different reason!

**Geoff Withnell** · 9th February 12, 05:53 PM

I have seen kilts and plaids worn that were different tartans (from the same clan). There is no great need to be a perfect match. If it looks good to your eye, go with it. There are a number of pictures showing such on the site, including me in a kilt and laird's plaid in two different versions of Davidson.

**Bob C** · 9th February 12, 06:05 PM

If I may say so, your group looks like an eclectic and casual bunch. A bit of difference in sett size should be just fine.

**KiltedMariner** · 9th February 12, 06:34 PM

All,

Thanks for the replies. I do believe the weights are different, so that may account for the variation. I suspect that the two will look good to the eye; I doubt anyone will notice.

Do you think it'll look OK with formal wear?

And...as far as "eclectic and casual," that ain't the half of it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw9XG...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPD6t...eature=related

Richard

**cable scot** · 9th February 12, 09:55 PM

I would think it would be fine for formal wear,but when in doubt ask a woman in your life.And most don't wear fly plaids more than a couple of times a year if that anyway.

**Chas** · 10th February 12, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedMariner

All,

Do you think it'll look OK with formal wear?

Richard

NO! If that is the out fit you will be wearing - no.

Sorry

Regards

Chas

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 10th February 12, 05:55 AM

Generally you'd want the plaid and kilt to match as much as possible. That's why whenever I order a fly plaid for someone who bought their kilt years earlier I try and get as much information as possible about the kilt (what mill wove the tartan, what weight range) so I can order from the same source. Even that is no guarantee, though.

It has certainly been done in the past to wear a plaid in a different sett size, or even a different color scheme, than the kilt, however.

The classic example for me is the Atholl Highlanders, who wear kilts in the modern Murray tartan, and plaids in rather faded, nearly 200 year old Murray tartan. The effect is striking!

**KiltedMariner** · 10th February 12, 06:14 AM

All,

Thanks for the continues replies/input. The plaid I purchased is rather small (http://www.ebay.com/itm/KILT-FLY-PLA...item53eb3c39e4) and I suspect the difference in sett size will go unnoticed. It is NOT a full fly plaid.

And...the price was right ($82.00USD shipped from GB).

Richard

**davidg** · 10th February 12, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedMariner

I suspect the difference in sett size will go unnoticed. It is NOT a full fly plaid.

It's hard to say without seeing the two side by side but colour match is usually more important than matching sett size. Take a look at Paulhenry's
photos and at first glance everything looks fine. It is only when you study the sett that you see the difference because the colours match so well

In a real life situation it is the colours that will be noticed by others and there will probably be little chance for them to get a tape measure out, especially if you are active whilst wearing it. In other words, nobody is likely to notice and even if they do they probably won't be sure