I can't do it!

Both are wonderful variations of the tartan. Although I'm *very* partial to the weathered version, in the end I cast my vote -- by a slim margin -- for the modern version on the reasoning that IMHO one's first "TANK" should be as traditional as possible. As I believe Jock Scot has said elsewhere recently, modern colors tend to be *perceived* as more traditional than other variants.

While I'm sure I've seen illustrations of a weathered tartan being worn with black tie, it's also my opinion that the modern colors tend to "dress up" a bit better than weathered colors do -- if that factors into your decisionmaking at all.