Lets talk tartan waistcoats

[Dale Seago]

Can something not be simultaneously tweed AND tartan?

I've been under the impression that tweed and tartan are different fabric weaves, with tartan referring originally to what we would call a twill weave: Nothing to do with color patterns/designs.

[Nathan]

I've been under the impression that tweed and tartan are different fabric weaves, with tartan referring originally to what we would call a twill weave: Nothing to do with color patterns/designs.

I think that may refer to the fact that the original french root word 'tartane' was about the cloth and not the pattern, just like plaid was about the large Highland brat-like garment and not the pattern, but I think it's safe to say the meaning has shifted over the years and that today the words tartan and plaid refer to a particular pattern, whether it is printed on cotton, twill woven wool, tweed, a carpet, polyviscose etc..

Perhaps someone in the garment business could confirm, but that's my understanding of how the word is used today.

[Nathan]

So I went for it at the games this weekend and wore my dad's old waistcoat. I figured I'm representing the Clan I might as well go big. Once again, a pro photographer stopped and took my photo and emailed me these and some other nice shots.

[CMcG]

So I went for it at the games this weekend and wore my dad's old waistcoat. I figured I'm representing the Clan I might as well go big. Once again, a pro photographer stopped and took my photo and emailed me these and some other nice shots.

I think it looks good and the context is appropriate, given your duties and the need to stand out Great pics too... you've been doing well with the pro photographers lately, eh?

[Nathan]

I think it looks good and the context is appropriate, given your duties and the need to stand out Great pics too... you've been doing well with the pro photographers lately, eh?

Yeah. I shouldn't come to expect it, but it's nice to have some better shots to pass down the generations. All of mine were taken on a cell phone camera and leave a lot to be desired. lol!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I've been under the impression that tweed and tartan are different fabric weaves, with tartan referring originally to what we would call a twill weave: Nothing to do with color patterns/designs.

That may be true of the archaic use of the word tartan, but not in today's usage.