Choosing a tartan -- one week until the jones begins

[StoneCold]

I'm so wet behind the ears that you should pay little attention to what I say. However...

When you say versatile and goes with everything, do you mean something that you can comfortably wear to an office and then the pub or do you mean with a fancy shirt and a t-shirt? Do you mean one that will go with dress shoes and hiking boots? It's almost too broad to be able to categorize it.

The other guys that have been here for a while and offerred their opinion are right bang on. Get one that you like and that means something to you.

If you're asking what we like the best, that's a whole 'nother matter entirely. Given that I have a closet full of Hawaiian shirts, I tend to like the more vibrant or different tartans. If you're looking for what I like, I may be inclined to go for something like a MacPherson or a Caledonia. If you're looking for something more subdued, perhaps the Thomson Grey or Ramsay. The only common denominator amongst the things I mentioned is that they tend to be less frequently worn ones. But that's what I like. This isn't for me.

It all comes down to what grabs you and what you are going to wear.

Thank you for allowing me to muddy the waters

[pdcorlis]

I say go with your gut and you cant go wrong. Which ever tartan you pick you know you are getting a quality kilt from Rocky and Kelly. Now, if it were me, I'd probably pick a Black Watch. Its a "universal" tartan that never seems out of place - but that's me and not you.

Whatever you decide, be sure to show us some photos when you get it - that way we can all congratulate you on such a smart decision!

[Moosehead]

I'm with Phil: Black Watch, its the grey flannel of kilts.

[davedove]

Black Stewart would work fine, especially since you're leaning towards that anyway. It is basic black, with lines of several other colors, so you can coordinate it with about anything.

[Barb T]

Just remember that if you pleat the Black Stewart to the stripe that it can look very purple from the back.

B

[cessna152towser]

I'd go along with Phil and Moosehead and suggest Black Watch. Its a muted colour scheme, will look good with dark hose, navy blue, lovat green, black or even a dark grey, and you may not want to look too garish when you first step out in a kilt. First two kilts I owned were both Black Watch. Though at the end of the day its not about what we think but you will feel most happy with at the end of the day.

[RockyR]

I agree with Barb... not a big fan of Black Stewart to the stripe.

My advice (having several kilts and seeing all of the PV we carry): IF you don't care about the "name thing" and you're going on colors alone... pick something that goes with the shirts you already have. Are you going to want to dress it up a little or is it for Formal or strictly casual?

Formal: Pick something with a white stripe and maybe some black (MacLean Hntg or Black Stewart or Ramsay or Clark). It's easy to throw on a white button down and a solid black tie to dress it up. It's also easy to dress down with a tshirt if needed.

Casual: If you're a big fan of Red shirts, pick a tartan with red stripes (Campbell, Scotish National, etc). If you like Black Shirts, pick a tartan with some black in it. If you have all kinds of colored shirts, pick MacPherson or Caledonia!

Hope this advice helps.

[Robin]

If you have all kinds of colored shirts, pick MacPherson or Caledonia!

I disagree...I have a Caledonian kilt myself...it's a flamboyant tartan and I really think such a tartan looks best when you wear white, black, blue or earth tones. Flashy colours will make you look like a christmas tree.

[Colin]

I agree with Barb... not a big fan of Black Stewart to the stripe.

My advice (having several kilts and seeing all of the PV we carry): IF you don't care about the "name thing" and you're going on colors alone... pick something that goes with the shirts you already have. Are you going to want to dress it up a little or is it for Formal or strictly casual?

Formal: Pick something with a white stripe and maybe some black (MacLean Hntg or Black Stewart or Ramsay or Clark). It's easy to throw on a white button down and a solid black tie to dress it up. It's also easy to dress down with a tshirt if needed.

Casual: If you're a big fan of Red shirts, pick a tartan with red stripes (Campbell, Scotish National, etc). If you like Black Shirts, pick a tartan with some black in it. If you have all kinds of colored shirts, pick MacPherson or Caledonia!

Hope this advice helps.

All good selections Rocky. Of course if anyone would know the tartans you offer, it would be you and Kelly. While I own a Black Watch kilt and I like the Black Stewart, I still find both tartans so common that they border on boring. Black Watch is everywhere, and Black Stewart has become a staple for every internet based kilt company.

Personally I have found the green tartans to be the most versatile. The Gunn, The Hunting Maclean, Buccleuch, Douglas Modern, Murray, Farquharson, Scottich National, Irelan's National, and Hunting Stewart (also a universal tartan) are all great green tartans. The MacDonald and the Cameron are also both great tartans and have similar colour schemes to the Black Stewart.

If you are looking to enjoy the kilt and stand out from the crowd and be counted, get a tartan that isn't offered as pillow cases or boxer shorts.

PS, the red kilts are nice, but I find that the brigheter the red and the bigger the guy, sometimes it has the potential to not look as good.