stuck choosing a tartan

[Sean Wilson]

Hi everyone

I've been reading XMTS for months and find the information, ideas, general talk and so on really useful. So much so, I hope you can all help me with a dilemma. I bought 3 synthetic kilts a year ago and love wearing them. So much so that when I married my wife this year I bought a PC jacket and vest and donned my Gunn modern kilt which I love - hope you don't mind me attaching a photo of the day.



I've also worn them on holiday, whilst going out for a meal on several occasions, but mostly around the house. I've had nothing but good comments. I now want to spend a little more money (although my finances are not unlimited) and buy my first 16oz, 8yard, wool kilt.

Now here comes my dilemma. My family name is Wilson, and I have connections to the Gunns (hence being Married in Gunn Modern Tartan). I'd love more than one wool kilt but that may take years to achieve. So, do I go for a tartan in my family name or the clan I am associated with (and have become a member of with approval of the new Clan Chief, this year)? And whichever tartan I chose do I go for Modern, Ancient or Muted. God... I wish I could have them all.

I have attached pictures of all these tartans. Which ones do you think look the best (I really can't choose) and should I go for family or clan (PS: I'm the only person who wears a kilt in my family so they are of no help in my choice - lol)

Wilson Modern


Wilson Ancient


Wilson Muted


Gunn Modern


Gunn Ancient


Sometimes I think it helps to see other people in the same tartan BUT I can not find images of Wilson muted or modern. I have however, been to Edinburgh and have seen cloth samples of all, loved them all and still can't choose - lol

HELP!!!!!!

[Father Bill]

Hi!

You'll get a lot of opinions on this including the ubiquitous "You can do whatever you like" which easily and often translates as "In your face and up-yours to any tradition."

Having said that, if you are looking at traditions, you wear your clan's tartan because, as I've often said, it's your nametag. You don't wear somebody else's nametag because that's ridiculous. To follow tradition therefore, you don't wear somebody else's tartan-nametag for the same reason.

You're in an interesting situation however. Normally, that clan is the one of your name. You've taken the unusual step though of affiliating with another clan through its chief, the highest authority on such a thing. That being the case, I'd bow to those more knowledgeable than I, but it might be similar to taking on a new citizenship and renouncing your former citizenship.

You've affiliated with a clan; you live with it and its tartans. What they look like is immaterial and an utter red herring. Your clan is your clan. You wear its tartan(s) because that's who you are.

[Richrail]

First from Reno, Nevada. USA.
When I was choosing a tartan for my first wool kilt the best advice I got here was go with family because DNA never changes.

[Sean Wilson]

Hi!

You'll get a lot of opinions on this including the ubiquitous "You can do whatever you like" which easily and often translates as "In your face and up-yours to any tradition."

Having said that, if you are looking at traditions, you wear your clan's tartan because, as I've often said, it's your nametag. You don't wear somebody else's nametag because that's ridiculous. To follow tradition therefore, you don't wear somebody else's tartan-nametag for the same reason.

You're in an interesting situation however. Normally, that clan is the one of your name. You've taken the unusual step though of affiliating with another clan through its chief, the highest authority on such a thing. That being the case, I'd bow to those more knowledgeable than I, but it might be similar to taking on a new citizenship and renouncing your former citizenship.

You've affiliated with a clan; you live with it and its tartans. What they look like is immaterial and an utter red herring. Your clan is your clan. You wear its tartan(s) because that's who you are.

Thank You Father Bill...

I initially had the same thought as yourself and thought Clan tartan to be the best choice. However, as Wilson is a family with close clan ties to the Gunn's I asked the Clan secretary if it would be considered rude to wear Wilson tartan at a clan gathering. They assured me that the Wilson family was more than welcome in the clan and as such wearing Gunn or Wilson Tartan would be acceptable. The answer was nice to know, but didn't help with my choice.

[freep]

Hi everyone

I've also worn them on holiday, whilst going out for a meal on several occasions, but mostly around the house. I've had nothing but good comments. I now want to spend a little more money (although my finances are not unlimited) and buy my first 16oz, 8yard, wool kilt.

Now here comes my dilemma. My family name is Wilson, and I have connections to the Gunns (hence being Married in Gunn Modern Tartan). I'd love more than one wool kilt but that may take years to achieve. So, do I go for a tartan in my family name or the clan I am associated with (and have become a member of with approval of the new Clan Chief, this year)? And whichever tartan I chose do I go for Modern, Ancient or Muted. God... I wish I could have them all.

Just to make it more complicated, I'm going to order a great kilt in this, Gunn Weathered, in 13oz (not available 'til Jan) from Bonnie Heather. 16oz is available now.



http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/gunn-wea...tartan-fabric/

[Liam]

Given the information you have provided, I think either Gunn or Wilson would be appropriate. The weathered Gunn in 16 oz. would be my choice followed very closely by the Wilson ancient also in 16 oz.
The first quality kilt I had made was in the "Rennie" tartan, my surname - an 8 yd. knife pleated to sett, the second in Macdonnell of Keppoch ancient - my Clan, in a 4 yd. box pleat.
I feel much the same as the Padre that if you have an affiliation, either family or clan you should honour it. I do have other kilts but have an association of some sort with all of them.

Slainte

[Tarheel]

Well met Sean. What are the other kilts you have? Is there a scheme of colors that you prefer? If so, go with the tones that you would readily pick to wear.
If you want the "odd and outstanding" kilt for special occasions, chose the ancient Wilson to honor the earliest of your clan tartan.
Another thought would be, have your new wife pick what she would like to see wear in the Wilson selections.

[YOJiMBO20]

Personally, I'm a fan of the "ancient" colours, and the Wilson is a less common tartan - at least in my experience - so I would go with the Wilson Ancient. That way you'd be wearing your name, but still part of the clan!

[room2ndfloor]

Just my preference: I love the Wilson ancient. Not many tartans have this burnt-orange color, and this combination is muted so you'd still have a good choice of kilt hose to go with it.

[Sean Wilson]

Well met Sean. What are the other kilts you have? Is there a scheme of colors that you prefer? If so, go with the tones that you would readily pick to wear.
If you want the "odd and outstanding" kilt for special occasions, chose the ancient Wilson to honor the earliest of your clan tartan.
Another thought would be, have your new wife pick what she would like to see wear in the Wilson selections.

Thanks for the reply... I like all the colours apart from the weathered/hunting style tartans. I have to admit the colours in the Ancient Wilson (especially the orangey tint) is unusual. I'm not sure if it's too bright but my wife likes this one the best.