Fly Plaid Question!!!????

[McClef]

Not so fast there, Trefor:



T.

OK so at least one did - but I will guess this is a rare example!

I got my first plaid when...oddly enough...I was getting married. I have never worn a fly plaid with a PC. First the jacket wasn't designed for a plaid and second it isn't formal enough.

I am amazed that you think that a PC isn't formal enough! I see many more PCs than doublets at formal events and the epaulette on the shoulder certainly allows for the positioning of a fly plaid. I personally don't think the pictures of me with plaid at a Ceilidh and also at the Burns supper look bad or informal in the least.

Clearly how one sees it is a matter of personal preference when it comes to plaids in the first place and whether one prefers a doublet over a PC or not.

[Phil]

It is a shame really that fly plaids are regarded as an oddity nowadays but that is no reason not to wear one. What goes around comes around they say and in a few years maybe everybody will be wearing them again. I don't think they were ever really worn much other than to really formal do's and weddings though - apart from pipe bands that is.

[Panache]

I have two fly plaids and understand that they truly should be worn only on the most formal of times. Though I find that I just can't stop myself from wanting to wear one to at least our yearly formal Burns Night Suppers because they look so dashing.

Perhaps they would be fitting for a formal Victorian Ball? We have several of those those in the Bay Area? Hmmmm...

Cheers

Jamie

[Chef]

I am amazed that you think that a PC isn't formal enough! I see many more PCs than doublets at formal events and the epaulette on the shoulder certainly allows for the positioning of a fly plaid. I personally don't think the pictures of me with plaid at a Ceilidh and also at the Burns supper look bad or informal in the least.

Clearly how one sees it is a matter of personal preference when it comes to plaids in the first place and whether one prefers a doublet over a PC or not.

I wear a PC quite often, but I don't wear plaid with it. Your right you do see more PC's than doublets at events and that is because there are relatively few events that call for that level of formality. I understand the desire to wear a plaid but you wouldn't wear white tie and tails to an event that calls for a dinner jacket just because you don't get the chance to wear your tails very often. Obviously you can but it looks out of place.

As to whether the PC is designed for a plaid, the fact that a it has epaulettes is somewhat irrelevant. While the epaulettte does help with a plaid on a doublet it is not there specifically for the plaid. It is a design feature that is common to most kilt jackets.

[Jock Scot]

I wear a PC quite often, but I don't wear plaid with it. Your right you do see more PC's than doublets at events and that is because there are relatively few events that call for that level of formality. I understand the desire to wear a plaid but you wouldn't wear white tie and tails to an event that calls for a dinner jacket just because you don't get the chance to wear your tails very often. Obviously you can but it looks out of place.

As to whether the PC is designed for a plaid, the fact that a it has epaulettes is somewhat irrelevant. While the epaulettte does help with a plaid on a doublet it is not there specifically for the plaid. It is a design feature that is common to most kilt jackets.

Looks as though a lemon has been spotted. Sorry I could not resist it.

[McClef]

I wear a PC quite often, but I don't wear plaid with it. Your right you do see more PC's than doublets at events and that is because there are relatively few events that call for that level of formality. I understand the desire to wear a plaid but you wouldn't wear white tie and tails to an event that calls for a dinner jacket just because you don't get the chance to wear your tails very often. Obviously you can but it looks out of place.

As to whether the PC is designed for a plaid, the fact that a it has epaulettes is somewhat irrelevant. While the epaulettte does help with a plaid on a doublet it is not there specifically for the plaid. It is a design feature that is common to most kilt jackets.

Well white tie and tails events are pretty few and far between these days and it's a style that peaked before World War II and has been in serious decline ever since. At University balls in St Andrews I only recall one student attending in such gear and he was an American!

I don't think that many today would interpret a "formal dress" invite to mean a doublet rather than a PC or believe that only a lacy jabot can sanctify the presence of a fly plaid. I simply cannot agree that a plaid looks "out of place" on a PC which is, after all, a formal garment, and makes it look, if anything, even more formal.

And I didn't state that a PC was designed for a plaid - I simply observed that "the epaulette on the shoulder certainly allows for the positioning of a fly plaid." Yes epaulettes are a feature of many kilt jackets - you might want to use one on a day jacket for holding your Balmoral etc for example.

But they give you an option which you take advantage of or do not. Just as you decide which formal jacket is your preference. The idea that one type of formal jacket is more formal than another one is totally a new one to me and based pray on what authority?

[Phil]

Well white tie and tails events are pretty few and far between these days and it's a style that peaked before World War II and has been in serious decline ever since. At University balls in St Andrews I only recall one student attending in such gear and he was an American!

I don't think that many today would interpret a "formal dress" invite to mean a doublet rather than a PC or believe that only a lacy jabot can sanctify the presence of a fly plaid. I simply cannot agree that a plaid looks "out of place" on a PC which is, after all, a formal garment, and makes it look, if anything, even more formal.

And I didn't state that a PC was designed for a plaid - I simply observed that "the epaulette on the shoulder certainly allows for the positioning of a fly plaid." Yes epaulettes are a feature of many kilt jackets - you might want to use one on a day jacket for holding your Balmoral etc for example.

But they give you an option which you take advantage of or do not. Just as you decide which formal jacket is your preference. The idea that one type of formal jacket is more formal than another one is totally a new one to me and based pray on what authority?

You are still expected to wear "white tie" for graduation at St. Andrews. I don't know where all these degrees of formality comes from. The dress or regulation doublet is THE white tie formal jacket and as McClef says there are very few events like that nowadays. The PC is very much an evening jacket, however, whereas the doublets such as Montrose, Sheriffmuir & Kenmore may be worn to the more formal day events also, such as weddings. I tend to wear a bow tie if I feel the event is a little less formal and save the jabot for the gala events. I can't imagine anyone coming in for criticism for wearing a plaidie although it is a bit OTT like Simon Cowell's pastiche in "Four weddings and a funeral" but it would not be appropriate at, say, a wedding if it was outshining the groom and best man.

[Nanook]

Well white tie and tails events are pretty few and far between these days and it's a style that peaked before World War II and has been in serious decline ever since.

I've been to some formal events over the past few years where people "dressed up" in clothing many would have been embarrassed to been seen taking out the garbage or tending to their garden just a few decades ago.

And I didn't state that a PC was designed for a plaid

What's been designed for the plaid? Frankly I think a drummer's (or fly) plaid can look good or bad. I don't even think that they should match the kilt. A bit off the top? And kilt, silver fur sporran, knife in sock and all the other appurtenances of "highland dress" are not? This used to be called "grandeur".

[Jack Daw]

Well, I have seen a gentleman wear a white tie, a white waistcoat, and a black PC. Is this not a white tie outfit in which a fly plaid could be included?

[Jock Scot]

Well, I have seen a gentleman wear a white tie, a white waistcoat, and a black PC. Is this not a white tie outfit in which a fly plaid could be included?

Sorry,old chap,a PC and white tie and white waistcoat should not be seen together,just won't do!

If you want to wear a fly plaid then just wear it,but it is wise to know the "conventions" that you are "infringing" before you do.