Belted plaid in 2019

[dcommini]

The plaid in the picture is 16 oz wool so it's much heavier than my PV belted plaid. The canvas D-ring is tied on and the buckle is off to my right side so when I put the Big Bad-*** Leather Belt on, the buckles aren't on top of each other.

How do you wear yours? Toss up some photos if you want.

I wear the plaid because I'm very interested in the actual garment as a "normal" piece of clothing; that is, the highlanders invented something very similar to what we call the belted plaid and wore it for quite some time -- probably engaged in a lot of physical movement (work, travelling, etc.). There are quite a few differences, however, between me and my life and the lives of the highlanders from the 16th-18th century. I do not work outside, and while my climate has some similarities with the highland weather, it's not exactly the same. I have a WIDE variety of clothing options available to me that were never available to the highlanders. I have, overall, a much easier, safer, and healthier life than most of those folks did. But I'm still interested in the kilt and its predecessors as a "working" article of clothing.

I obviously share the same interests as you do. I have worn my plaid doing construction before, and other various outside work environments. Unfortunately, I do not have any opportunities to wear my plaid at my current job, so I do so just whenever.

In Alaska, the climate is a bit more harsh than the highlands in the winter time (at least from what I've heard), so wearing of the plaid often entails making sure that the rest of me is going to be OK. That being said, I've worn my plaid in the desert, in the rain forest, on the top of a mountain, in the woods of Tennessee, and many other places and environments. It is a good and functional garment for just about anywhere (except maybe Antarctica and the far northern climes).

Also, lastly, as for a belt to keep the whole thing together... I use the tan nylon belt the Army gave me (similar type pictured below), it keeps it secure and it lays flat, even through the buckle part that having a larger belt on the outside isn't uncomfortable.

[jthk]

I obviously share the same interests as you do. I have worn my plaid doing construction before, and other various outside work environments. Unfortunately, I do not have any opportunities to wear my plaid at my current job, so I do so just whenever.

In Alaska, the climate is a bit more harsh than the highlands in the winter time (at least from what I've heard), so wearing of the plaid often entails making sure that the rest of me is going to be OK. That being said, I've worn my plaid in the desert, in the rain forest, on the top of a mountain, in the woods of Tennessee, and many other places and environments. It is a good and functional garment for just about anywhere (except maybe Antarctica and the far northern climes).

Also, lastly, as for a belt to keep the whole thing together... I use the tan nylon belt the Army gave me (similar type pictured below), it keeps it secure and it lays flat, even through the buckle part that having a larger belt on the outside isn't uncomfortable.

Thanks for sharing; are you wearing the same plaid in all of these environments? May I ask -- do you pleat it every time or do you have belt loops? What do you do with the material ABOVE the belt?

I recently made some Native-styled leggings to use in VERY cold weather -- blue wool with red knee-garters. I can't find the exact picture I'm looking for but here are some ideas, but using deerskin. There's also one with European-styled gaiters which I've also purchased from Townsends: (https://www.townsends.us/collections...s-ga986-p-1578).

1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/431290101815015696/
2. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326299935503610946/
3. https://bantarleton.tumblr.com/post/...ck-watch-north

Best,
Jonathan

[dcommini]

Thanks for sharing; are you wearing the same plaid in all of these environments? May I ask -- do you pleat it every time or do you have belt loops? What do you do with the material ABOVE the belt?

I recently made some Native-styled leggings to use in VERY cold weather -- blue wool with red knee-garters. I can't find the exact picture I'm looking for but here are some ideas, but using deerskin. There's also one with European-styled gaiters which I've also purchased from Townsends: (https://www.townsends.us/collections...s-ga986-p-1578).

1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/431290101815015696/
2. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326299935503610946/
3. https://bantarleton.tumblr.com/post/...ck-watch-north

Best,
Jonathan

Yes, I wore the same plaid in all the environments I mentioned. It's the only plaid I have, though I might get another one after my tax return comes in.

I pleat it every single time, no belt loops.

As for the material above the belt, it depends. I may just let it hang in the back, if it's really cold then it all hangs down. If it's hot it probably hangs down in the back or tucked back under the belt. If the sun is beaming down on me in the desert then I may wear it like a cloak to avoid sunburn, just loosely so I can still get a good amount of circulation. If its raining then I wear it like a cloak again.

Those leggings are intriguing! I may have to see about getting some. Usually, I just double up on my kilt hose if it is really cold. Also, I just discovered Townsends YoutTube channel and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching some of his videos.

If you could find a picture of your leggings or instructions on how to make a pair and pass them along I would be much obliged.

[jthk]

Yes, I wore the same plaid in all the environments I mentioned. It's the only plaid I have, though I might get another one after my tax return comes in.

I pleat it every single time, no belt loops.

As for the material above the belt, it depends. I may just let it hang in the back, if it's really cold then it all hangs down. If it's hot it probably hangs down in the back or tucked back under the belt. If the sun is beaming down on me in the desert then I may wear it like a cloak to avoid sunburn, just loosely so I can still get a good amount of circulation. If its raining then I wear it like a cloak again.

Those leggings are intriguing! I may have to see about getting some. Usually, I just double up on my kilt hose if it is really cold. Also, I just discovered Townsends YoutTube channel and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching some of his videos.

If you could find a picture of your leggings or instructions on how to make a pair and pass them along I would be much obliged.

Is your plaid wool? What's the weight and how much yardage is it? Most of mine are 4 yards long, double-width.

A good friend of mine who is a local expert in Native and colonial clothing helped me with them but I'll see about turning up something... Could you please send me a private message?

Here's myself with a plaid and the leggings I made: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0M0Q...K9It4h781v4zUA

Best,
J