Choosing a tartan -- one week until the jones begins

[Pleater]

Wow, lots of great advice, but I was expecting that from this bunch. I think Black Stewart will be the one, but now I have more ideas for the next kilt. The Caledonia looks fantastic, it's on the list now.

Good choice.

It is quite a striking tartan but not too buzy, rather classy.

[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.

[Riverkilt]

Aye Colin,

One of the joys of tanks is being able to select a tartan you love, that means something to the man's clan, and NOT being a common boxer short/bathrobe tartan.

Though I've just ordered a genric Macdonald semi-traditional from USAKilts, I also have Macdonald of Kingsburgh and Macdonald Lord of the Isles.

I went with weathered Gordon rather than the generic Gordon. Chose to wait out the Cameron Black and Red rather than do the generic Cameron. Hopefully the massive black on that takes me out of the "too much red on a big guy' catagory.

Sometimes I wonder if everyone realizes that its possible to order up hundreds, maybe thousands, of unique tartans from kiltmakers who in turn order the cloth from the many mills. Yes it costs a bit more. Yes there's a longer wait time. Yes it'll last a lifetime. Yes that is solid value. And yes, your heart will soar when you don that special kilt.

And no, you won't see your tartan on boxer shorts at WalMart or a bathrobe from Sears.

Ron

[timber]

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.

Lots of great suggestions, and more for my wish list. The only one one I would not consider is the Cameron --- my first ex-wife is one!

The list so far:
Black Stewart: first kilt, ordering Friday
Caledonia
Scottish National
Thompson Grey
MacGregor (for my first tank)
Buccleuch

After the first one, the rest are in no particular order. Some may drop off and more will definitely be added. I can't go through life with just one kilt!