Flashes of another tartan

[Creag]

I know that it is generally not good to mix tartans, for a number of reason - some traditional, some dogmatic, some aesthetic. But I'm wondering if it would be alright in a small and somewhat subtle way.

I'll be wearing the Jones modern tartan, but I was considering making flashes from a sample of MacPhail Red modern. The intent is to acknowledge and honor my ancestry. I'd welcome thoughts and opinions from The Rabble.

For reference:

jones_macphail.jpg

[Dale-of-Cedars]

My 2 cents worth: Purists and KiltKops may say nay, but the amount of sett displayed in a flash would make the MacPhail tartan almost unidentifiable.
I'd view them as red/green flashes, in much the same way that diced hose are just corresponding or matching colours, and worn with many different tartans.
If you have a family connection with MacPhail, so much the better.

[Jock Scot]

The choice is entirely yours, but just so you know, it is considered by many, to be one of those "social niceties" not to mix tartans of different Clans. Why? There are, still, various inter Clan historical clashes, that lurk beneath the surface that can re-emerge(usually in the beer tent) from time to time, so just wearing the one tartan reduces the potential, if rare, problem by 50%. Not only that, as an example, you will not find many MacDonalds wanting to wear even a square inch of Campbell tartan and assorted Clan histories are littered with such examples. So on the whole, the mixing of Clan tartans is best avoided.

Another just so you know! Not everyone considers tartan flashes to be the epitome of kilted elegance, they consider several yards of tartan in the form of the kilt to be enough tartan for one person! Again, the choice is entirely yours to make.

[Chas]

What you do in the privacy of your own bedroom is none of our business, but out in public, with the whole world watching ...

Why not just buy a second kilt in the other tartan and swap them about on a regular basis?

[unixken]

...Clan histories are littered with such examples. So on the whole, the mixing of Clan tartans is best avoided.

For those in The States, think the mixing of Hatfields and McCoys.

[Spartan Tartan]

For those in The States, think the mixing of Hatfields and McCoys.

Great analogy.

As to the OP...my thoughts (and they are just my own personal thoughts) are that I would avoid wearing more than one tartan at the same time. Again, that is just my choice.

[Creag]

Why not just buy a second kilt in the other tartan and swap them about on a regular basis?

I do, indeed plan on buying a kilt in MacPhail some time later. And I intend on having a few sets of plain flashes on hand.

Thanks to all for the sage advice.

[Farmer Jones]

Aside from the good advice given by Jock Scot, it also seems to me that tartans can be quite busy from a colour point of view, and that by wearing multiple tartans, even small ones on flashes, you are adding to the busyness of clothing that is already striking in its own right.

[mookien]

For those in The States, think the mixing of Hatfields and McCoys.

Yes, but why not bring them together in the interest of peace, ... Colt Peacemakers, that is.

[OC Richard]

Personally I would avoid tartan flashes altogether no matter what tartan.

I prefer the traditional flashes made of herringbone-weave worsted, woven specially to the correct width, as have long been worn with the kilt.

Also nice are the knit ones made for shooting socks.

IMHO

(BTW my father went to school with Hatfields and McCoys, many of whom lived in our area, and we're related to the McCoys through the Vances.)