Selecting the “right” tartan version

[12stones]

The thread count determines the tartan. If you look at the options listed on USA Kilt, you'll see 4 different Hamilton Hunting Ancient choices. But that covers three different mills and two weights. They're the same tartan.

As stated, don't worry so much about it. You can read more about the differences here: https://usakilts.com/blog/choosing-t...weathered.html

[Navy87Guy]

The thread count determines the tartan. If you look at the options listed on USA Kilt, you'll see 4 different Hamilton Hunting Ancient choices. But that covers three different mills and two weights. They're the same tartan.

As stated, don't worry so much about it. You can read more about the differences here: https://usakilts.com/blog/choosing-t...weathered.html

Thanks…I guess I just didn’t dig enough on the website!

[KennethSime]

USA Kilts has several great YouTube videos about this - here's a good one, I think.

The reason there are twelve different variations is that USA Kilts works with several different woolen mills, and they provide their customers to option to choose Lochcarron wool over House of Edgar, or vise-versa. Some kilt makers only work with 1-2 mills, and won't have these options.

Others will disagree with this, but my rough impression is as follows:
Ancient is particularly nice for spring and summer - it's a very happy color palette.
Weathered is nice for fall and winter - it's a very reserved color palette.
Modern + muted are both nice at all times. Muted is just a bit less bright + showy.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken, and you could certainly get away with wearing any of these tartans any time of year or at any level of dress.

I'd recommend 16oz tartan, which should narrow things down for you a bit, and from what's left consider ordering swatches. Digital impressions really don't tell the full story, and swatches do a much better job!

I have a few Fraser tartans, which are very similar to Hamilton. The Fraser Weathered was my first recent kilt buy (as in, since I decided to wear kilts on a regular basis), and while it is very easy to wear, I find myself gravitate more and more toward brighter colors. I have a Fraser Red Ancient which really makes an impression that I like to wear for big to-dos, especially in the sunny months, and a Fraser of Lovat (Wilson's Variant) which is (basically) in the muted palette that I like for every-day wear, especially in the dreary months.

[Navy87Guy]

Thanks for the responses. The pointers to the USA Kilts references were very helpful.

I may have decide which Hamilton tartan I want to get first…