Is Standardization of a Clans' Tartan Fabric Important or Not?

[OC Richard]

Knew about SMLE, not SME

My impression has long been that the exact proportions of the various stripes the interpretation of the colours were at the discretion of the weaver.

With the same tartan you'll see versions where the spaces look more spacious and the over-stripes look more delicate, others where the thinner stripes are thicker giving a blocky look.

And "green" might be a deep bottle green, or a soft moss green.

However, there has been a thing happening with tartan designs recently where that traditional practice hasn't been followed.

The first time I remember encountering it was with the tartan Flower Of Scotland.

It's basically Gunn in Ancient Colours with one narrow stripe moved. But AFAIK the Ancient colouring (lighter colours) was specified and required of the Flower Of Scotland tartan- in other words there could be no "Flower Of Scotland Modern".

The same thing happened with the California tartan. It's Muir in Ancient Colours with minor changes. AFAIK California stipulates Ancient colours.

Then there's Isle Of Skye! A lovely tartan. Genius, in my opinion. It has three different greens. Change any or all of those greens and the tartan doesn't work as it's designed to.

In the worlds of corporations, advertising, and American universities quite specific colours are often specified and tartans pertaining to such entities likewise have to have specific colours, for example IrnBru requiring specific shades of orange and blue. Ten different US Universities might wear red, each University's precise colour of red considered crucial and is maintained on all uniforms, apparel, insignia, signage, etc. Tartans designed for these Universities would be required to be each one's exact shade of red. (Pantone is a popular way for organisations, printers, clothing manufacturers etc to maintain exactly the same colour.)

It wouldn't surprise me if someone coming from one of those cultures might think that Clan tartans would likewise stipulate specific colours.