How might one order a kilt in an unusual, license-controlled tartan?

[Taffy Jack]

First off, I'm well aware that I'm getting in over my head. We'll just stipulate to that, as I currently own and have worn precisely zero (0) kilts during this particular life.

However, having been offered the excuse to wear one and thence realizing how many various appurtenances go with it, I've started to wonder whether a guy might not just as well be in for a dime, in for a ducat...

So I went poking about for tartans relevant to my experiences and heritage, and came up with these:

Lewis of Wales (Welsh, tartan date 2002)
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta....aspx?ref=2109

U.S. Army (registered 2004; last of the U.S. services)
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta....aspx?ref=4182

Washington State University (licensed 2013)
http://amdt.wsu.edu/wsu-tartan/

Psychological Operations Regiment (licensed 2013)
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...aspx?ref=10822

My basic plan is to pick up a Lewis 8-yard kilt, and just hold onto that one to the grave for formal and semi-formal dress (I don't report to an office, so I'd play H#ll trying to wear that out).

However, if I enjoy the kilted experience, I'd like to think about maybe a five-yard kilt in one of the other tartans. Army's is easy enough to source, it appears, but the WSU and PSYOP tartans seem to be locked down under license. Written permission required, etc. Naturally, that makes me want those more than the one I can readily obtain. I'm sensible like that.

So my question to you knowledgeable Rabble is: does one individually approach the license holder and request a "note from the teacher" to have a run of fabric woven, or is there a clearinghouse or some kind of tartan agent to deal with such requests? Do kiltmakers hold a key to the mill?

Thank you in advance for your patience with noo-oob questions.

Cheers,

Jack

[The Wizard of BC]

According to the Register the two Tartans you are thinking are "locked down under license" are only reserved to those who would fit the requirements that the Tartans were designed for.

The real problem is finding the person who has some of the fabric. Many Tartans like the psysop's may have only been woven once and the fabric sold to those within a narrow group. For example I designed a Tartan for The EOD Warrior Foundation. A copyright application was filed in the name of the Foundation.
But there has only ever been one run of fabric and all of it was pre-sold and shipped once it was woven. There simply is no more available.

The WSU Tartan could perhaps be sourced through the University. An email or phone call would be where I would start. But don't hold too high hopes as most of the fabric seems to have been woven in light weight for ties and small accessories.

I would see no problem obtaining either of these Tartans if you fit the requirements. In the case of the psyops Tartan the people listed on the registry may not be in the service anymore and the register does not list any contact information publicly. An email to the Registry may award you with contact info.

The simple fact is that many Tartans that are listed in the Register may never have been woven or woven only in a small, single run of just a few yards. With over 12,000 Tartan designs registered no one has fabric in all of the designs just sitting on a shelf somewhere waiting to someone to place an order.

There is no secret handshake required, it is just economics.

[Taffy Jack]

I would see no problem obtaining either of these Tartans if you fit the requirements. In the case of the psyops Tartan the people listed on the registry may not be in the service anymore and the register does not list any contact information publicly. An email to the Registry may award you with contact info.

The simple fact is that many Tartans that are listed in the Register may never have been woven or woven only in a small, single run of just a few yards. With over 12,000 Tartan designs registered no one has fabric in all of the designs just sitting on a shelf somewhere waiting to someone to place an order.

There is no secret handshake required, it is just economics.

Excellent, Steve; thanks. I suppose I should start with the PSYOP Regimental Association, and see if they're making group buy any time soon. Their dues will approximately double the price of ordering a kilt, but that's just, er... economics?

And maybe Wazzu's alumni association.

Thank you for the pointers.

Cheers,

Jack

[cck]

To my knowledge, the US Army Tartan is readily available and appears to be fairly inexpensive.

[Taffy Jack]

To my knowledge, the US Army Tartan is readily available and appears to be fairly inexpensive.

Yes, I think so. It's also composed of pretty good colors for me (at least, I think so -- enlistment physicals made me painfully aware of my color vision limitations).

Army tartan is definitely on the list for daytime wear. Pocketed, hopefully. It would make for a fine excuse to saddle up a bike and jump the Blackball Ferry off the peninsula, visit Victoria, and meet Steve in person.

Cheers,

Jack

[Knouse]

To my knowledge, the US Army Tartan is readily available and appears to be fairly inexpensive.

USAKilts makes kilts in the US Army tartan in 12 oz poly viscose and 13 oz wool. I have USAKilts semi-traditional and like it.