There's something about these kilts

[ccga3359]

Is that just from the photography or are they that different in real life?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Yes, the mill producing the cloth can make a very big difference in terms of color. For instance, Lochcarron's "ancient green" is a lot lighter than House of Edgar's "ancient green." Each mill has their own color pallette that they use. That's why if a customer calls me and wants to order say, a fly plaid, to match his kilt, I'll always ask if he knows what mill produced the cloth for his kilt, so I can have a better chance of matching the tartan.

That's also why I think it's so silly when some kiltmakers refuse to tell their clients where they get their cloth from (I've actually been told by some that it's a "trade secret"). I wouldn't buy a kilt from someone who wouldn't tell me what mill wove the cloth.

Anyway, I have an article on the different colors found in tartan that some may find enlightening.
http://www.albanach.org/colors.html

[Planopiper]

Is that just from the photography or are they that different in real life?

They really are very different. In the side-by-side picture the difference is not as striking as in real life. I've had a lot of compliments on the colors of my kilt and I really like it a lot. That's why I tried to get the same thing for my belted plaid. To be honest I don't care for the other one at all. I'd never wear it by choice. But I really don't like light blue in a kilt.

That kilt is brand new. Bob complained to me when he got it that it didn’t fit right and that the material felt too light. I took it home for my wife to move the straps. She noticed that the material is not as good a quality as any of my kilts. Looser weave. Lighter weight. I would hesitate to go with that kilt maker having seen this kilt.

I've read Matt's article before. It's very informative. I particularly appreciate all the examples it has. That’s one reason I know I’m not likely to get anything in a weathered tartan. Maroon is another color I can really do without, though I have seen one or two tartans with it that weren’t too bad.