Barclay Tartan HELP!

[leathercubby]

While in Edinburgh (I am now back in WI), I ordered a Barclay Dress Modern kilt. The kilt maker has called me to let me know that the mill no longer makes the dress modern. I have the choice to have them special weave a Barclay Dress Modern or I can have Barclay Dress Muted made straight away. Not having swatches, and only having pictures on the computer, I can not decide. Does anyone have any advice?

[Caradoc]

Does anyone have any advice?

Compare the prices on a custom weave or going with the muted, look at both (as best you can) and follow your heart.

[andyfg]

I don't have any experience with tartans you mention. But isn't it the worst! You find a tartan you finaly decide on, and then it all changes and you are back to the "which one do I really want?" I do know the colors are not quite the same as you see on the screen, making it all the more difficult. The agony and the ecstasy of choosing tartan I think . . .

[LoftGuy]

Hi,

Coincidently, I just replaced my monitor and am amazed by the different colours I'm seeing in tartans compared to the old monitor.

FWIW, my preference is for muted or ancient tartans but as suggested previously, compare costs and go with your best instincts.

Bob

[macwilkin]

While in Edinburgh (I am now back in WI), I ordered a Barclay Dress Modern kilt. The kilt maker has called me to let me know that the mill no longer makes the dress modern. I have the choice to have them special weave a Barclay Dress Modern or I can have Barclay Dress Muted made straight away. Not having swatches, and only having pictures on the computer, I can not decide. Does anyone have any advice?

I went to the Clan Barclay's web site and noticed that in the picture of the Barclay Chief, he is wearing the Barclay Hunting tartan. Personally, I have always preferred the hunting tartans, so if I was a Barclay, that's the one I would pick.

Cheers,

Todd

[Mike1]

Does your kilt maker only deal with the one mill? Perhaps another mill can supply what you wanted.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The Barclay Dress tartan is very similar to the MacLeod Dress (aka Loud MacLeod) only without the red. In other words, it is a *very* bright tartan.

Having experience with both the modern Dress MacLeod and the muted Dress MacLeod, I personally much prefer the softer tones of the muted. The yellow really mellows out a bit.

I may have pictures I can hunt down of kilts in both of them.... I'll see...

M

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Ok, found pictures of those two MacLeod kilts -- I emailed them to you. Hope it helps!
M

[ronstew]

Perhaps the reason the mill discontinued the Dress Modern is that many people share Matt's opinion. Raises the question of whether you choose your tartan for yourself or for those who will be looking at it while you wear it. If you follow.......

[HeathBar]

I bought some Barclay Dress Modern material for a tartan banner a couple of years ago. Now it is light weight and a plain weave, but it is the modern colors. If you ask me, its too bright for a men's kilt. Maybe alright for a woman's skirt, not a kilt. I would go with the ancient colors myself. But thats my opinion.