Gordon Tartan Dilemma

**davidlpope** · 18th March 10, 03:15 PM

Two recent threads hashing out dress tartans:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...tartans-55188/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...concept-56819/

Cordially,
David

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Jock, I understand that the word "dress" in "dress tartans" means "formal" and does NOT refer to the woman's garment. I'm just foolishly stuck in my historian's mode, and way back in Highland history, so-called "women's tartans" (used for their arisaids) traditionally had a white or light-colored base.

So, when I see, for instance, the "Dress Gordon" tartan, I'm reminded of the historic women's tartans. Dress MacLeod would not fall into that category with its strongly colored ground....

**turpin** · 21st March 10, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Sure they were invented in Scotland. They just are not the norm there now, which is what I think Turpin was getting at.

Exactly, based on the decidedly strong opinions expressed by a number of the Scottish members in several threads, stating that Scots would not recognize a box pleated garment as a kilt.

I love mine.

**OC Richard** · 23rd March 10, 05:11 AM

My vote is for the Red Gordon in weathered colours. Lovely!

**turpin** · 23rd March 10, 01:47 PM

I keep looking but can't find the red gordon muted as shown above. It all looks like the weathered, and no mill seems to carry all 4 for comparison. I'm trying to decide between the red modern, red muted, and red ancient.

any help will be appreciated

**BoldHighlander** · 23rd March 10, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by The Scotsman

Of course some people will tell you otherwise, but they are the sort who would likely wear a baseball cap with a tailcoat.

Somehow I don't think the Lord Reay ever wears a baseball cap

...however I know that he almost always wears one style of tartan for "casual" or formal events, the Ancient Mackay.

(...the above photo was taken at a formal evening function a couple years ago & sent to me by his sister Lady Elizabeth ).

**figheadair** · 23rd March 10, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Nervous Jock

I've finally relented and decided to replace my ancient dress Gordon Tartan kilt. As much as I love the tartan dearly its completely impractical and looks twice its age.

Wanting to stick to the Gordon (family) tartan what version of the tartan would you suggest and why?

If you want something out of the ordinary then go for the Gordon of Abergeldy.

**jordanjm** · 23rd March 10, 11:08 PM

I like the Green with yellow stripe tartan.
I thought I remembered this one http://www.whatpriceglory.com/scot.htm What Price Glory has a Gordon Military Kilt. That could be cool.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 24th March 10, 04:54 AM

A rule of thumb that I always tell people is that the standard clan tartan in modern colors is never a bad choice. All else being equal, if you do not have a strong preference for another tartan or color scheme, that would be the "default" tartan to select.

**turpin** · 24th March 10, 10:16 AM

Thanks Matt, that gives me another factor to ponder.

**guitarmatt** · 24th March 10, 12:48 PM

I like the Huntly tartan, a district tartan strongly associated with the Gordons. http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=1795 I'm 90% sure that I'll have my first "real" kilt done in this tartan, as my family (Moir) were from that part of Scotland and look to have had close ties with the Gordons (I've still got more research to do). I like the fact that it's legitimately old, and looks it with its large asymmetrical sett.