Deciding on new tartan

[slothead]

Tom,

The standard kit for combat areas is combat uniforms and shorts in MTP. But yes there is those that do bring the kilt with them. For ceremony use now of days. I was talking with one of them and one thing lead to another. The quartermasters have to keep extra kit on hand for loss or damage. Since the kilt is still part of kit they had a few on hand. The kind of ceremony use they would use them for is end of tour turn over, lost of life, awards of valor, and reups.

Thanks Jock and Jumper. That all makes sense to me. Ceremonial wear makes all the sense in the world!

[Lady Grey]

Well just to be different (and a practical woman)
I think you should look at the Tartans available on the page(s) of the vendors you are thinking of ordering from and also look at the Scottish Tartan Authority web page annnnnddddd........
Pick something that appeals to you!
Does it have to have significance?
You already have a couple of kilts that do have meaning to you personally.
So why not just pick a Tartan that appeals to your sense of style and colour preferances?

One thing I've learnt from this forum is that a well made kilt in colours that please you personally can be worn with anything & everything!
Feel like a black T shirt? ... yep your kilt will look good!
Need to wear a shirt and tie? ... yep your kilt will look good!
It's hot - no top and bare feet?... yep your kilt will look good!

It will look good because you chose a Tartan that was pleasing to you!

[davidlpope]

You've a real kilt, given to you by the Black Watch. Wear that. Spend the extra money purchasing a proper sporran, tweed jacket and waistcoat, formal doublet and diced hose to wear with it. Unless you wear the kilt everyday, you only need one.

[Manu]

I would go by the county but that is unknown to us. You see my grandmother was adopted and the only thing we knew was that she was adopted out of an center in New York with "adoption papers" stating "young girl of full Irish birth." That is the reason I went originally with the Irish tartan. Since then the center has been closed down.

I did a DNA test and I ended with 27% Irish, 24% Danish, 21% Scottish, the rest was German, English, Russian, ect. The tartan in my avatar is the Special Forces tartan, for some reason I am not completely fond of the Army tartan.

Ahh, I see. In that case, the Irish national seems to cover you until further exploration of your ancestry. I will echo some of the rabble in saying that you have two awesome kilts, that BW kilt you earned serving with them, an that's rather special. Build quality outfits for them. But if you must absolutely purchase another tartan kilt, I suggest you browse USA Kilts gallery of universal and US states tartans. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking there.

[The Q]

I agree in general with the comments above,
for me the choice of tartans should be in order:
Family if possible,
The Service you belonged to if possible,
The Service you were attached to / worked with,
District or state or nation tartans that are relevant.

[Hirsty]

There are several choices - family name, ancestry, association (with a service or trade), region of origin, sports team, or even just because you like it.