Shoulder plaid(e)/ Day plaid(e)

[Dutchomatic]

One earlier question that was never answered properly: Are day plaids supposed to not match the kilt? I'd buy one and start wearing it, but I'm worried about ending up in Pour1Malt's thread for not matching tartans.

Cheers,
Matt!

You know...I read that these were supposed to match the kilt. At least be the same pattern of tartan. Some of the pics going around seem to show some variance in fabric, but I believe the tartans should match. Hope that helps...

[Daaaaang]

But it looks like in one of the pictures a clan chief is not matching, which leads me to believe it is okay. Are clan chiefs allowed to make mistakes in dress?

[Jock Scot]

Todd,

Looking at the links it seems to me that the tartan day plaid can be a different type wool than the kilt. One of them seems to be made of blanket material. Is this correct or should the day plaid be the same material as the kilt?

Cheers

Jamie

I have never heard of this type of plaid called a "day plaid" before,it is as good a name as any though.I have not seen one carried for many a year,but certainly 30 years ago you would not be properly dressed at a Highland Games or a day function without one.The ones that I can remember well, were made of heavy tartan ,usually of the same tartan as the kilt, although not exclusivly.I have to say they were an absolute bind to keep on your shoulder as they always seemed determined to fall off!They were very handy on the arrival of the inevitable Highland shower though, and provided warmth and more surprisingly they were fairly good at keeping the damp out for quite a while.

[Jock Scot]

But it looks like in one of the pictures a clan chief is not matching, which leads me to believe it is okay. Are clan chiefs allowed to make mistakes in dress?

I think that we all need to remember that whilst the clan tartan worn with the kilt and the plaid ought, to our tidy modern minds match.Dont forget that many clans have at least 3 tartans(plus the ancient,modern,weathered)tartans to choose from. For example Clan Macleod has over a dozen to choose and mix from and still be correct,if correct is what is required on a wet cold day.I dont think that all that long ago Clan Chiefs or anybody else were too worried about the finer points of keeping warm and dry.

[Dutchomatic]

I have never heard of this type of plaid called a "day plaid" before,it is as good a name as any though.I have not seen one carried for many a year,but certainly 30 years ago you would not be properly dressed at a Highland Games or a day function without one.The ones that I can remember well, were made of heavy tartan ,usually of the same tartan as the kilt, although not exclusivly.I have to say they were an absolute bind to keep on your shoulder as they always seemed determined to fall off!They were very handy on the arrival of the inevitable Highland shower though, and provided warmth and more surprisingly they were fairly good at keeping the damp out for quite a while.

Jock Scot, would we be correct then in calling this item a "plaide"? They seem like a handy item to me. It might be nice to see some of the forgotten items return. I think this has all been a good discussion.

Slainte,

[cacunn]

When thinking about matching the tartan between the kilt and day plaid remember what you are going to use it for. It is a ground cloth, a lap blanket, shaw and other uses to keep you warm. These uses will increase the chance that this will get dirty quickly. J. Charles Thompson, in "So you're going to wear the kilt" describes the day plaid as "double width (52 to 56 inches) and three and a half yards long. It is fringed at both ends." At $75-$80 a yard that $250 - $300 I would be putting on the ground. I'll find an inexpensive tartan blanket that is a lot cheaper. The tartans may not match but if I;m sitting on it who will know.

[Chef]

Would something like these be appropriate?
http://www.highlandwarmth.com/HW/catalog/throws.html

Those would work but you might find them a it heavy. A half size might work better. You just want a light weight one with a fairly tight weave.

One earlier question that was never answered properly: Are day plaids supposed to not match the kilt?

I have never heard of this type of plaid called a "day plaid" before,it is as good a name as any though.I have not seen one carried for many a year,but certainly 30 years ago you would not be properly dressed at a Highland Games or a day function without one.The ones that I can remember well, were made of heavy tartan ,usually of the same tartan as the kilt, although not exclusivly.

The only ones I ever saw that were the same fabric as the kilt were when the kilts was from the very heavyweight 22oz material that is so rare these days. Other than that I remember the light weight blankets. So one of the reasons you see different tartans in these pics is that one you can't get the blankets in as many tartans and they look different even if they are the same tartan.

I think that we all need to remember that whilst the clan tartan worn with the kilt and the plaid ought, to our tidy modern minds match.

Your right, when you look at old paintings you see many wearing several different tartans.

When thinking about matching the tartan between the kilt and day plaid remember what you are going to use it for. It is a ground cloth, a lap blanket, shaw and other uses to keep you warm. These uses will increase the chance that this will get dirty quickly. J. Charles Thompson, in "So you're going to wear the kilt" describes the day plaid as "double width (52 to 56 inches) and three and a half yards long. It is fringed at both ends." At $75-$80 a yard that $250 - $300 I would be putting on the ground. I'll find an inexpensive tartan blanket that is a lot cheaper. The tartans may not match but if I;m sitting on it who will know.

Hence the reason people started using the blankets.

[Jock Scot]

When thinking about matching the tartan between the kilt and day plaid remember what you are going to use it for. It is a ground cloth, a lap blanket, shaw and other uses to keep you warm. These uses will increase the chance that this will get dirty quickly. J. Charles Thompson, in "So you're going to wear the kilt" describes the day plaid as "double width (52 to 56 inches) and three and a half yards long. It is fringed at both ends." At $75-$80 a yard that $250 - $300 I would be putting on the ground. I'll find an inexpensive tartan blanket that is a lot cheaper. The tartans may not match but if I;m sitting on it who will know.

You have got me thinking now!Whilst it does seem obvious,now, that the "day plaid"could be used to sit on or used as a lap blanket, I do not recall anyone ever even thinking of using them thus.As a shawl most certainly and very effective they were, anything else I am not so sure.

[cacunn]

You have got me thinking now!Whilst it does seem obvious,now, that the "day plaid"could be used to sit on or used as a lap blanket, I do not recall anyone ever even thinking of using them thus.As a shawl most certainly and very effective they were, anything else I am not so sure.

I see a research project in the future. Now do not limit your research subjects to only pretty ladies.

[Dutchomatic]

Morning all. Spoke with Mr. Newsome at the Scottish Tartans Museum yesterday and got some fabric ordered. I believe I can put this one to bed now. Thanks for all the help! I'll run a pic in here when I get it all put together.

Isn't someone running a post right now where we're sending our pics in?

Slainte,