The Language of Clothing

[figheadair]

Indeed they do.The tartan of the Atholl Highlanders are a prime example of this. I seem to recall that the last time I saw them parade, there were at least four very different shades of their tartan to be seen being very proudly worn by all ranks.

Ah yes, but they are a bit older, c.1840 to be precise. I doubt much modern tartan will still look so good after nearly 200 years of use.

[jsrnephdoc]

Ah yes, but they are a bit older, c.1840 to be precise. I doubt much modern tartan will still look so good after nearly 200 years of use.

They were in the NYC Tartan Day Parade. I didn't notice at the moment (too wrapped up in the marvelous sound and their stern countenances), but when I look at my video the shadings of their kilts are obviously a spectrum. Is that fading of the dyes, or a reflection of differing dye lots for garments produced at different times? Are some of those GARMENTS almost 200 years old?

And, I can't help but observe that many in the rifles corps (two separate ranks, for reasons I don't know) that followed the pipers and drummers, the faces of the marchers showed various degrees of weathering as well. Some of them may have been almost as old as ***I*** but the radiating pride they had in their service was stirring.

I can post my brief iPhone video if anyone is interested.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[RGM1]

I marched right behind with the Murray of Atholl North America contingent and there were shades of difference in their kilts. This was particularly noticeable in their flies. The explanation I got was that many were quite old and had faded over time. I will find and post a picture of me taken standing right next to them which may give a sense of the differences. They were still quite impressive.