Fly Plaids

**Drillagent** · 28th January 08, 08:27 AM

I bought a "mini fly plaid" a few years ago in my MacGregor tartan. It is squared off on one end and pleated with a stitch across it about 4 inches from the end holding the pleates. I wore it to the highland games just pinned to my t-shirt, because at the time I didn't have a kilt, and I thought it would be a good way to show my heritage. When I went to Iraq, I wore it as a scarf under my body armor as well as my clan badge pinned to the inside for good luck. (Came back from two tours without a scratch)
My question here is, what are the rules for wearing a fly plaid that is different than the kilt? For instance, is it ok to wear my US Army tartan kilt with my MacGregor fly plaid and kilt flashes?

**Galician** · 28th January 08, 08:48 AM

It is generally expected that the kilt and the plaid will match. I know because of the comments I have gotten from wearing different ones to some Games.

But, hey, if they don't clash colorwise, there's no prison term for doing it!

I wore one to the Burns dinner I organized a week ago. I can be seen in it in some of the photos posted under the pics threads, though not great shots. I figured that it was as dressy a situation as I ever attend, so a good excuse to wear it. Also, the night was very cold, so I appreciated having a extra layer of warmth for my head and shoulders.

**davedove** · 28th January 08, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Galician

It is generally expected that the kilt and the plaid will match. I know because of the comments I have gotten from wearing different ones to some Games.

But, hey, if they don't clash colorwise, there's no prison term for doing it!

That's the general "rule". But, as has often been said, there are no kilt police.

Historically, there were times when it seemed that the more different tartans you could wear together, the more fashionable you were. Nowadays, wearing different tartans together is considered a fashion mistake. It's just different times.

**Clockwork John** · 28th January 08, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Thanks Gentlemen, good to know. I have two BlackWatch fly plaids .... (just kidding Todd

) , that is to say my two Black Watch fly plaids have purled edges where two twisted strands of thread have been twisted together and knotted to make a purled edge. I do not have time to do this for my X Marks the Scot tartan fly plaid and hoped that a simple fringed edge would be acceptable for this Burns' Night.

Cheers

Jamie

Why do you have two Black Watch fly plaids, and can I talk you out of one?

**Panache** · 28th January 08, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty

Why do you have two Black Watch fly plaids, and can I talk you out of one?

Unfortunately not,

I bought a matching fly plaid to go with my Celtic Croft Black Watch economy kilt (10 oz. wool I believe). I no longer wear this kilt as it is a bit on the flimsy side. It and the flyplaid have been given to the F-H.C.A.G. to use the material for some future project.

The other fly plaid was made for me by way2fractious to go with a nice Black Watch kilt he restored for me.

Cheers

Jamie

**thescot** · 9th February 09, 03:06 PM

Having worn a breachan feile on several occassions, I can say that the extra material haning down in back does not really pull if the broach is placed at the epualet. At least that's what I remember, but I haven't worn it in a couple of years.

As to fly plaids, I have never cared for them either. Like Matt, they're OK, and they are not offensive, just not for me.

But I am warming to the idea of a shoulder plaid. After seeing Puffer and a few of the older photos, it seems like a very useful article.