Is it possible to weather a tartan without damaging it?

[Pleater]

I have had over the years of making kilts from whatever came to hand, a couple which did become what could be termed weathered, rather like tired is used for rather drunk - but I suspect that it was down to the material being revealed as very shoddy or the dyes being bleached by the sun particularly after being out in the rain. I expect that is how the original fabrics altered over time and then weavers were asked to duplicate an old garment and the weathered colours became established options, like faded and prewashed jeans.

Anne the Pleater