Color Matching

[duffy794]

I tried to use the search function but had no luck. Sorry

Quick question. I have read that if you want to get a fly plaid you should get it from the same run as your kilt cloth if you want it to match. Does this apply to the colors as well?

What I am trying to figure out is if I want to have a vest and a hat made to match a kilt. ie a red vest and hat (for Christmas) to match the red in a kilt (ie Robertson) Do you have to get it from the same manufacturer and in the same weight? or are the solids fairly consistent?

I am fairly new to the communty and am still learning.

Thank you

Ray

[Phil]

Don't get too hung up about matching. Tartans should be the same pattern but not necessarily from the same run. As to other garments, the aim is to choose colours that complement your existing clothing so they don't stick out like a sore thumb. I'm afraid that is down to the taste and flair of the wearer. If you haven't got it ask somebody who has.

[duffy794]

Don't get too hung up about matching. Tartans should be the same pattern but not necessarily rom the same run. As to other garments, the aim is to choose colours that complement your existing clothing so they don't stick out like a sore thumb. I'm afraid that is down to the taste and flair of the wearer. If you haven't got it ask somebody who has.

thanks! I appreciate it

[unixken]

Ideally, same fabric from the same run of material, will give the best match. That being said, it also depends on the accessory.

If you do want the colors to match, at least go with the same mill. You'll have a much better chance of matching colors across different runs (or fabric weights) than by mixing fabrics from different mills.

For things like hats (say, a tartan tam-o-shanter), you wouldn't want it made from the same 16 oz fabric as your kilt... a 10oz fabric would be more appropriate for a tam. Too heavy a fabric, and the hat wont shape itself correctly, and will bee too hot. Also, when I had a bias-cut tartan waistcoat made, I had it made from 10oz fabric, knowing that 16oz (plus the lining) would have been too hot for me, for a vest. Both my kilt and my waistcoat were Locharron fabrics, so the dye colors were very good matches.

Since the intent of a fly plaid is to mimic or remind one of a one-piece great kilt, it really should match the kilt. Choosing non-matching colors that "are close" is not ideal to serve that intended illusion.

My thoughts are... if you want it to match, it should match perfectly, if possible. If you can't match perfectly, be so deliberately different that it's obvious no attempt was made, to match. For example, perhaps wear a hunting tartan day plaid, with a kilt in the main tartan. (I would mix tartans of the same clan. Don't mix tartans of different clans.) Or a weathered or ancient palette, together with a modern.

Or, disregard "what I think" and go with "what you want."

[The Wizard of BC]

From your post Duffy it seems that you are asking about matching a solid color fabric to a color in a Tartan. Is this right?

If so the "Same batch" rule would not apply. That rule is only for matching Tartan to Tartan. It would also be very unusual to find a Tartan weaver who offers solid fabrics to match. One weaver does give listings of coordinating solid colored fabrics to line a jacket with, but they are the only one I know that does as they produce Tartans, Tweeds and solids. But this is not the usual.

My advice would be don't worry about matching solid colored fabrics exactly to one color of a Tartan. The only thing I would NOT do is pick solid colors that clash with your Tartan. Solid Orange with a Predominantly Blue Tartan may not go too well.

I would also avoid clashing patterns too much. A small pattern or subdued pattern in a vest is nice. A vest in a large or loud pattern like another plaid - well, maybe not.

The idea is to coordinate, not to match. I use - as a rule of thumb - Blues blacks and greys together while reds, yellows and browns together. But this is not hard and fast. Brown tree bark and Green leaves go real well against a Blue sky. Can't fault Momma nature too much.

If I were to wear a red vest and hat with a Robertson Red Tartan Kilt I would probably go with a dark, wine or brick Red instead of trying to find the exact color. I would try to coordinate my vest and hat with the rest of my outfit. Jacket, tie, and hose. (again, coordinate but not match)

I have one guideline I try to follow as much as I can. Coordinate the rest of the outfit. Then let the kilt stand on its own.