Commissioning my first tank, jacket and waistcoat

[ktk1961]

Having enjoyed my initial immersion in the kilted expression of my Scottish ancestry--and having been inspired by the experience related by Tobus here ...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-w-pics-73721/

and here ...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ct-done-96888/

--I've just this placed my first custom order of an 8-yard, 16-oz tank and a Tweed crail jacket and waistcoat (from separate sources).

After having seen Tobus' kilt in Colquhoun Reproduction (a clan link we share), I couldn't get it out of my mind. And via Internet sleuthing, I came across a Harris Tweed that I think will go beautifully with the Colquhoun Reproduction and with my County Meath Tartan 5-yard kilt currently on order from USA Kilts.

Here's a picture of the tartan and the tweed:



To have the kilt made, I reached out to a number of kiltmakers, all of whom are mentioned and well reviewed in various threads on this site. Ultimately, I chose Paul Henry. The jacket and waistcoat will be made by Kilts4Less, which (previously unbeknownst to me) makes custom orders from a certain selection of Harris Tweeds.

And now the waiting game begins ...

[Macman]

I share your enthusiasm and I can hardly wait until you receive your orders! Be patient, though.

[Ninehostages]

What a beautiful tartan pattern.

[ktk1961]

I was thrilled to receive this picture from Paul Henry of my new kilt in progress! It's an 8-yard tank in Colquhoun Reproduction. Can't wait to receive it!

And the Kilts4Less jacket and waistcoat I ordered in the Harris Tweed has already arrived.

I'll post pictures of the completed outfit as soon as I can.

[McMurdo]

I too am looking forward to seeing it all come together. Congratulations.

[Troglodyte]

I've seen the use of the term 'tank' before, when people are talking about the kilt - what does it mean..?

Is it the style or method of construction, and how is it different from a conventional kilt?

Can someone suggest pictures that show the difference, please?

[Jock Scot]

I've seen the use of the term 'tank' before, when people are talking about the kilt - what does it mean..?

Is it the style or method of construction, and how is it different from a conventional kilt?

Can someone suggest pictures that show the difference, please?

I stand to be corrected here, but I think the term was coined by a past member ------still is?-----here on this website. I think if you imagine a traditionally made kilt made of 8 yards of heavyweight wool cloth would qualify as a "tank". Something that you and I would take for granted, but those new to kilts particularly outwith these shores seem to think are out of the ordinary. I suppose they are, when compared with the machine made, 4/5 yards of lightweight cloth that is often not wool and is often not tartan that seem so popular abroad. That is not to say that some of these kilts are necessarily poorly made, they are not, but if you compare the tartan tat sold on Princess St. to a traditionally made kilt, then the description of "tank" is entirely appropriate.

[Troglodyte]

Ah, ha..! Got it now...

Somehow the idea of a kilt intended for tank warfare, and therefore built like one, seemed too much for my poor mind..!

Thanks..!

[ktk1961]

I stand to be corrected here, but I think the term was coined by a past member ------still is?-----here on this website. I think if you imagine a traditionally made kilt made of 8 yards of heavyweight wool cloth would qualify as a "tank". Something that you and I would take for granted, but those new to kilts particularly outwith these shores seem to think are out of the ordinary. I suppose they are, when compared with the machine made, 4/5 yards of lightweight cloth that is often not wool and is often not tartan that seem so popular abroad. That is not to say that some of these kilts are necessarily poorly made, they are not, but if you compare the tartan tat sold on Princess St. to a traditionally made kilt, then the description of "tank" is entirely appropriate.

Thank you so much for the explanation, Jock. As a relative newcomer to both kilts AND this forum, I had seen the expression used and presumed it was in reference to exactly what you have described.

Sending you good wishes from this side of the Atlantic.

[kingandrew]

I have a jacket made of that Harris Tweed, and it looks great with pretty much any tartan. It looks nice and brown from a distance, but actually has so many other colors in its overcheck patterns that it really connects well with all the typical tartan reds, blues, greens, and yellows.

I'm sure it will get along famously with your new kilt.

Andrew