Weathered Tartan: Only day wear, or formal wear, too?

[Roderick]

Since you folks gave me such great advice about my current kilt and kilt dilemma (regarding my black kilt ensemble), I thought I might seek your advice again, this time on weathered tartans -- the weathered Davidson clan tartan, specifically.

See, my family tartan would be Davidson, as that's my mother's heritage (Dad was a mongrel with a last name his father invented as a joke), but I was never really a fan of the Davidson tartan. At first I figured I was resigned to either wearing a tartan I didn't care for, or one to which I had no particular connection. But then I discovered the Davidson weathered tartan (it's here, third one down), and I quite liked it. I figured that I would get a kilt fashioned from that, and it would be my formal kilt wear for all events Scottish.

But lately I've been wondering about it, and I was struck with two questions...

1. - Is the earthy tone of weathered tartans suitable for formal events? Or is a weathered tartan only suited to day wear?

And 2. - Would brown straps and brass buckles be inappropriate for formal attire? (I ask only because I started to think it might look pretty sharp with brown and brass hardware, and it would go great with brown daywear accessories, but I can see how it might not work for formal wear.)

Your input is appreciated. I'm a ways away from ordering this yet, but I thought I would ask before I made any final decision on just what I was ordering.

[Bugbear]

Na, it would be fine. I've been told to not worry about these things.

[Woodsman]

I don't really know enough to answer your question, but personally I like the look of the weathered tartans. It seems to me that they go with a lot of colors when matching up a shirt with them. Are other tartans available in a weathered version?

[Panache]

To me the weathered tartans do seem just made to go with day wear (tweeds and brown leathers with their softer muted colors) but I imagine it would work fine with a formal outfit.

I wouldn't go with brown leather straps and brass buckles if you are planning on pairing it with black formal wear.

The black straps and silver buckles will look far less odd matched with brown leather and brass accessories in your day wear outfit than brown straps and brass buckles with the black of a formal outfit.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Roderick]

Wonderful! Thank you all very much for the input. It sounds as though I should be able to go ahead with this (now just a question of who to have make it -- I like both Steve and John, so I suppose the question is whether I want it handsewn or machinesewn) with black straps... I know the third strap is superfluous, but I like "bits", so I'll need to think that through.

I don't really know enough to answer your question, but personally I like the look of the weathered tartans. It seems to me that they go with a lot of colors when matching up a shirt with them. Are other tartans available in a weathered version?

If you check out Locharron's page on tartans, under each brand (?) is a list of available tartans. Those with letters after them give you an indication of which are available in weathered. For example, my family is listed under the Strome as "Davidson Clan A/M/W", which means it's available as ancient, moden, or weathered. So keep your eyes peeled for W's!

[ForresterModern]

If you check out Locharron's page on tartans, under each brand (?) is a list of available tartans. Those with letters after them give you an indication of which are available in weathered. For example, my family is listed under the Strome as "Davidson Clan A/M/W", which means it's available as ancient, moden, or weathered. So keep your eyes peeled for W's![/QUOTE]

Actually Scotweb has what I consider to be the best cataloque of available tartans in all varieties, including custom weaves. Click the Scotweb advert top right of each page to activate their website and the xmarks discount, then click on the "find your tartan" button at the top, type in your family or tartan name, hit enter, then work your way through the available tartans to see if they have a weathered version of yours from any vendors. You may be surprised at how many vendors offer certain tartans and in the price differential available. Just remember before you order fabric to check if it is single or double width, as that obviously affects how much length you might need and the effective cost per single width yard or meter.

[Panache]

... It sounds as though I should be able to go ahead with this (now just a question of who to have make it -- I like both Steve and John, so I suppose the question is whether I want it handsewn or machinesewn) with black straps... I know the third strap is superfluous, but I like "bits", so I'll need to think that through.

Roderick,

I only have one Freedom Kilt but I consider Steve my kilt maker

Here is a review that my wife (The F-H.C.A.G. ) and I did of our Freedom Kilts

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/e...443/index.html

The Freedom Kilt Tartan model has many differences in internal construction than a traditional kilt. Steve is an engineer and made some deliberate design choices to create a update on the classic tartan kilt

They look traditional in many ways but they are definitely a modern kilt

And I really like them!

Especially without the unnesseceary third strap!


Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[kevinkinney]

OK,



I'm gonna fault you for holding a day bottle instead of a proper evening glass...

Kevin.

[Joseph McLaren]

Roderick, that's a lovely tartan. I had a similar question ordering my first kilt earlier this year: My family tartan didn't really grab me, but the weathered version (which I use as my avatar) looked great. I asked around and gathered that it didn't really matter. I think, for the financial outlay, you have to love the tartan.

[Phil]

I have always taken the view that the kilt is a very versatile garment, and that is what makes it so useful. You can wear it fairly casually during the day and then dress the same one up with a formal jacket for the evening. You couldn't do that with a dinner suit/tuxedo could you? If you like the tartan go ahead and wear it as you like.