Tartan Types and Purposes:

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I'm contemplating a 16oz. tank in Ancient Gordon. What are your thoughts on pleating to stripe?

Casey, I'm FAR from being a wealthy guy. When it came to "forking over" for an heirloom kilt, I was MORE than happy to shell-out for a 16 once Irish National Tartan, HAND-MADE kilt.

As for the pleating to the stripe... as long as it's vertical... YES! It's a fantastic look, and one that's much more vibrant. That, of course, is completely up to your personal preference. Depending on the tartan, I'll take my pleats either way. If, however, it's a District or National Tartan, I'll choose to keep the pattern throughout. To me, it's a matter of respect for the design.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

On the subject and an example of tartan importance:

What is the most exclusive tartan?
That’s difficult. One answer could be that a personal tartan made for one man would be the most exclusive. Perhaps you mean which is the most desirable tartan and the answer to that could be the Balmoral tartan which was designed by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert and which can only be worn by the Royal Family. No weaver in the United Kingdom would produce that for anyone other than the Royal Family. Some overseas weavers have ignored the longstanding convention and produced what purports to be Balmoral. Such behaviour is viewed with great disdain by the Scottish industry and anyone who wore it in Scotland would be committing a great social (but not legal) sin!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Alaskan brought up a GREAT point in PM...

"What about the 'Loud MacLeod' or 'MacLeod Dress'"

Good point! It's one that I took to the Authority, and it was a good one!

The actual name of the tartan is "MacLeod of Lewis".

Those who have the kilt can use that information!

[Rigged]

So, the modern non-tartan kilt fills the purpose of providing masculine comfort without risking offending anyone with clan affiliations or traditional views about who can wear which tartan.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Big guy, I would imagine you can wear whatever you want!

I'm sure SOMEONE will be offended at a solid. Whether it's just NOT a tartan... that's black and it's before Labor Day... red is for Dorothy and Toto... who knows?!!!!

In theory, you would be right. In reality, your guess is as poor as mine!

[JazzKiltz]

Big guy, I would imagine you can wear whatever you want!

I'm sure SOMEONE will be offended at a solid. Whether it's just NOT a tartan... that's black and it's before Labor Day... red is for Dorothy and Toto... who knows?!!!!

In theory, you would be right. In reality, your guess is as poor as mine!

Amen to that! Umm...twice. You can ALWAYS find someone who wants to tell you how to do....whatever it is you want to do! For me, it wasn't so much about not offending someone else as being uncomfortable with wearing the symbols of someone else's family (families?)

Tartans are growing on me, though.

[Rigged]

For me, it wasn't so much about not offending someone else as being uncomfortable with wearing the symbols of someone else's family (families?)

Same here. I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a military or Royal tartan. I also have a close friend who is a MacDonald. He'd frown upon me wearing his family tartan. He'd kill me on sight if he saw me wearing a Campbell tartan. Glen Coe casts a long shadow.

[zeytoun]

Have you seen the NYC tartan, JazzKilt? I've been considering for myself, in memory of my time there.
http://www.tartansauthority.com/web/...=new+york+city

[Blu (Ontario)]

also, is it true about the "dress" tartans being for ladies? just because i like the gordon dress...

...That's a big 10-4 good buddy. Dress tartans DO NOT mean that they're formal. Dress means "dress". I've NEVER seen a man in a dress Stewart....

Well then.......



Now you have!

Also note - kilt too long, white kilt hose, matching tartan tie, formal wear at 1:00pm, and sporran too high.

Faces blanked out to protect the guilty.

[Casey]

I think I might move to NYC to wear the tartan.

Casey