Moslty black tartan: Nightstalker vs Glyndwr?

[RockyR]

I'll try to remember (tomorrow when I'm at the shop) to post a picture of the Glyndwr tartan we have made into a semi grad and outfitted on a mannequin in the store.

[RockyR]

Here's a shot of the Glyndwr made up into a Semi Trad, on a mannequin.

[Grunthos]

Nice! Thank you for posting the picture.

[Grunthos]

Just looked mine over a bit ago, as I rearranged the kilts, and think I'll probably post it for sale -- cheap

Well, I got answers to my questions. Rocky posted great pictures of the Glyndwr, and I definitely like it.

As to my underlying question to myself, which one should I buy, Benning Boy answered that for my by making me an offer I couldn't refuse on his Nightstalker. It's a little bigger, but I expect some simple strap repositioning will be easy enough. The best write-up I found was at

http://xmarksthescot.com/forum/f304/...-larger-78931/

Glyndwr is definitely still on my list for future purchases, especially since I have Welsh on my mother's side.

Although that Black Stewart is tempting me now too. Dang, you guys got me infected with kilt-acquisition-itis!

[bwat]

Glyndwr is definitely still on my list for future purchases, especially since I have Welsh on my mother's side.

Although that Black Stewart is tempting me now too. Dang, you guys got me infected with kilt-acquisition-itis!

Top tip: if the only tartan you have a family connection with is Glyndwr then get that one. It'll end up as your favourite kilt. I hate to say it as it sounds overly romantic but it's true.

If the connection to a particular tartan isn't strong and/or if you've got a lot of kilts in your future then personally I'd get one "black" and then go Buchanan. Your personal style will probably be somewhere in the middle so trying the extremes of colour will be help you find your point in the spectrum. I think more than one black kilt is a bit of a waste and I'm not buying the idea that they are either:

a) more flexible than a colourful kilt, or,
b) more stylish than a colourful kilt.

Black kilts just don't work like a woman's LBD. Then again I'm someone you've never met and I could hardly be described as a paragon of style

[Dughlas mor]

Having seen the Glyndwr made up as a kilt, I must say I like it a lot. I`m going to be giving it strong consideration for my next kilt purchase.Thanks, Rocky.

[The Wizard of BC]

Grunthos,

If you want a real bad case of kilt-acquisition-itis! Take a look at the true Black on Black Tartan.

There are three basic ways to create a black on black Tartan.
One is to weave it in as you would for the fabric for a tie that has a pattern woven in but is all one color.
The second is to weave the fabric with one black yarn and one gray yarn and then re-dye it all black after it is woven.
And finally, my favorite, is to use two black yarns. One of spun left handed and the other right handed.
This creates a truly black on black fabric and the Tartan pattern jumps out at you when you move and light plays over the surface.

In full sunlight it is truly a remarkable effect.

[Grunthos]

Top tip: if the only tartan you have a family connection with is Glyndwr then get that one. It'll end up as your favourite kilt. I hate to say it as it sounds overly romantic but it's true.

Good point. I left out my context in my original question. I have a strong Macfarlane connection on my father's side; the Welsh connection is just a second, more distant connection on my mother's side (but would still be fun to recognize).

I have 4 kilts already: a red Macfarlane Geoffrey Tailor "tank" that my father gave me, a green Macfarlane Sportkilt, and two contemporary/utility Stumptown kilts in sold black and solid grey.

If the connection to a particular tartan isn't strong and/or if you've got a lot of kilts in your future then personally I'd get one "black" and then go Buchanan. Your personal style will probably be somewhere in the middle so trying the extremes of colour will be help you find your point in the spectrum.

While I'm not new to kilts, you could indeed say that I am trying to find my point in the spectrum. For most of my life I have worn a kilt perhaps once or twice a year, to Highland Games and perhaps a family special occasion. But I started wearing a kilt much more often a year or so ago when I bought the black Stumptown kilt. Now I'm wearing a kilt at least twice a week, including to work (office cubicle), but it's always my black or grey Stumptown.

I think more than one black kilt is a bit of a waste and I'm not buying the idea that they are either:

a) more flexible than a colourful kilt, or,
b) more stylish than a colourful kilt.

You may well be right, but I may also just have to figure out the hard way what fits my style and taste, by trying things out and seeing what works for me.

I'm finding that wearing a kilt once a year is easy-- it doesn't matter if it feels a little "costumey". (Wearing a tuxedo felt costumey also, but it was only for a few hours, so it didn't matter.) But to wear a kilt every week, it has to feel like regular clothing to me. That's what I'm trying to figure out for myself right now.

I will also admit that my wife's opinion is a factor in this for me. She's quite supportive and tells me (sincerely) that I should wear what I want. But what she finds attractive is not something I ignore lightly (She told me the Nightstalker was "hot" and "bad-@$$", while the Black Watch looked more like "grandpa wear". We're in our 40's, so I'm not ready to appear to her like Grandpa yet. Fair or unfair, her opinion is what it is, and I don't mind trying to maximize the attraction factor )

In any case, it is certainly an interesting mental process to change my view of kilts from "special occasion" clothing to everyday clothing. Not sure where it will end up, but if I acquire a few more kilts in the process, it won't be the worst thing I've ever spent money on...

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

[Grunthos]

If you want a real bad case of kilt-acquisition-itis! Take a look at the true Black on Black Tartan.
...
In full sunlight it is truly a remarkable effect.

I ignored it previously, since I have a solid black Stumptown kilt. But now I'll have to go take another look! Dang it!

[Stitchwiz]

Grunthos,

If you want a real bad case of kilt-acquisition-itis! Take a look at the true Black on Black Tartan.

There are three basic ways to create a black on black Tartan.
One is to weave it in as you would for the fabric for a tie that has a pattern woven in but is all one color.
The second is to weave the fabric with one black yarn and one gray yarn and then re-dye it all black after it is woven.
And finally, my favorite, is to use two black yarns. One of spun left handed and the other right handed.
This creates a truly black on black fabric and the Tartan pattern jumps out at you when you move and light plays over the surface.

In full sunlight it is truly a remarkable effect.

emphasis added

Are there any posted examples of these three types of Black on Black Tartans that we could look at, Steve?
Sounds fabulous!
I have seen the Nightstalker, & the USA kilt link isn't working, probably due to new website. I don't recall seeing anything like you are describing.