Bright or Dark Tartans?

[Machaggisnz]

I tend towards the muted end of the spectrum though I do like some of the brighter versions of my clans tartans. ( Mackay).

[SuperKnott]

I seem to lean more towards the darker tartans. Dark Greens, browns, dark blues seem to catch my eye the best.

[BCAC]

Like a lot of others. I have kilts in my clan tartan modern colours (pretty bright) and Hunting (ancient) colours which are more subdued. I also have an Isle of Skye which is subtley (in my opinion) in between the two. I don't wear many tartans that I dont have a connexion to but I don't much care for dark tartans from the aesthetic point of view.

[creagdhubh]

I have owned heavyweight, 8 yard kilts in the Macpherson Clan and Hunting tartan, and in all the standard colour schemes (ancient, modern, and weathered/reproduction), with the exception of muted (of which I don't particularly care for in the Macpherson Clan tartan), and liked them all. However, my personal preference is for the weathered/reproduction colour scheme. There's just something about the more subdued, "earthy" tones that I am quite fond of. Especially when paired with a smart, patterned tweed jacket and "earthy" coloured accessories (not "matchy-matchy") for Highland day attire.

Heavyweight Macpherson Hunting tartan in modern colours from House of Edgar.


Heavyweight Macpherson Clan tartan in ancient colours from Lochcarron.


Heavyweight Macpherson Clan tartan in reproduction colours from D.C. Dalgliesh.


Heavyweight Macpherson Hunting tartan in ancient colours from Lochcarron.


Heavyweight Macpherson Clan tartan in modern colours from Lochcarron.


Cheers,

[duke_19_62]

I have the Macneil of Barra in modern (from USA Kilts) and ancient (from the Celtic Croft). Generally speaking, I prefer the ancient colors: the blue looks blue. In the modern the blue looks almost black, and in a dark setting, ie an evening party, the dimmer lighting is more suited for the ancient colors.

[ctbuchanan]

I'm a Buchanan - the brighter the better!

[Kiltedjohn]

I definitely go for greens and blues.

I have Forbes ancestors, and would love to have a kilt in Ancient Forbes. I don't think my wife would approve of the expenditure!

[cck]

I choose to wear a particular tartan because it is the closest one in my family and the one whose name I bear. While it comes in "ancient" and "modern" colors there is not much difference. My choice is limited. For me, wearing a kilt invariably invokes comments and questions from others. I am much more comfortable responding with information about the tartan and my connection, which seems to be appreciated. To say I chose it because I thought it was pretty would conflict with my reason for wearing the tartan.

[IrishSean]

I like the personal connection and generally the weathered variety (although sometimes the Wallace red seems more orange than I would like). Beyond that, I enjoy seeing the brighter and more colorful tartans that people post on here.

[tundramanq]

Mine range from dark and subdued to light and lively. Both solids and tartan, traditional and modern. I select according to mood and weather and the occasion every morning.
This requires some "bookkeeping". I use ponytailers on the hanger hooks. Every time a kilt is worn it gets another ponytailer. When a kilts hanger is up to 4 ponytailers ( or catches a stain ) it gets the wash routine and is returned to the line up.