A Good Kilt for Native Americans?

[ThistleDown]

It is not tartan. The Tartans Act as passed by parliament includes the following definition: "...a tartan is a design which is capable of being woven consisting of two or more alternating coloured stripes which combine vertically and horizontally to form a repeated chequered pattern."

As a kilt it's wonderful, and opens up a whole range of North Coast First Nations design possibilities as well as Southwest, I'm sure.

[Wompet]

What do you all think, what would you think/say if you saw someone wearing this tartan?

My reaction, in order:
Hmmm ...
Good-looking kilt.
Where did you get it? ith:

Of course, by definition it's not a tartan. Then again, neither are the Welsh tartans (they only alternate vertically), but generally we consider them tartans (especially when sewn into kilts). Nevertheless, I look at that and think "unbifurcated male, no pleats in front, shaped like a kilt, Native American pattern - Native American kilt (contemporary version)."

[fudgeman]

I like it. It says Soutwest to me. Very cool.

[TheKiltedCoder]

As a Native American myself, I think it is great. Isn't a kilt really how it is made, and not what it is made of. The kilt is the cut and fasioning of a garment with a flat apron and a pleated backside, not the pattern or fabric. If that were the case, wouldn't solid color kilts be considered skirts? In no way does this say skirt to me. I personally embrace all aspects of my heritage (Scottish and Native American) and have been looking for a way to tie them together. It is difficult when one is mostly buckskin and feathers and the other is wool. This is a great kilt, I would love to own one such as this!

I love the pattern, and I'd at least commit some level of minor mayhem to have a nice wool sweater out of the wool that gave birth to that kilt.

Let me perhaps clarify what I meant: I actually do like both the sweater and the fabric pattern. The only sticking point for me was whether it said "kilt" to me when I saw it. At first glance, it didn't.

However, that reaction has been fading throughout the day as I've come back to look at the thread. I think a great deal would depend on how the pleats came out: the more that I look at it, the more that the temperature of the colors and generic background remind me of the Lady Chrystel tweed tank that had been getting (justifiably) rave reviews a few threads over. So, if the back was box (or double-box) pleated in line with the pattern, that might just have something to say for itself. I suppose they might have tried to knife pleat it to the "sett", but I expect they'd have been better off doing a box pleat.

And the heavens know I've seen... odder.. fashion tartans.

On a slightly different note, I was interested in some of the suggestions Todd put forward as other tartans that would have some level of connection to one or more of the Native American nations. In particular, I've now put a Hudson Bay kilt on the list.

Todd, my wife and my credit card company would like a word with you.

[Riverkilt]

When Wes Studi did his cameo in Christmas in the Clouds he just wore Royal Stewart



With such a strong parallel between Navajo people and Scots (clans/sheep/long walk and clearances/ prohibition of traditional language, dress, and ways....I thought it'd be cool if there were Navajo clan tartans, or else tartans that picked up the colors of Traditional Navajo rugs for different areas. No clue who'd buy such tartans though.

And, of course, the traditional Hopi men's unbifurcated garment is translated to English as a kilt - though its unpleated.

Ron

[Mipi]

Good looking kilt. I'm not Scot nor Native American, but would wear it proudly.



P.S.: What do you think in general about tartan sporran? Any opinions?


Regards to all!

[Highlander31]

Nice kilt. It's not something I would wear, but it definitely has the Southwest flavor.

[davedove]

I like the kilt and I like the sporran, but I don't feel they work well together. The pattern of the sporran blends into the pattern of the kilt too much. I think it would look better with a solid color sporran.

I would save the patterned sporran for a solid color kilt.

All that being said, I feel that pattern would be entirely appropriate for someone of southwestern heritage.

[csbdr]

I like it! I'd rather see a nice brown leather sporran with it, though. Maybe Rob Roy or other more primitive styled one, with antler button closure and beads. THAT would really look cool...

[fluter]

On a slightly different note, I was interested in some of the suggestions Todd put forward as other tartans that would have some level of connection to one or more of the Native American nations. In particular, I've now put a Hudson Bay kilt on the list.

KC you mentioned New Mexico... If you have a connection there yourself, there's already an official state tartan. It has red and yellow stripes that echo the sun symbol from the flag.

Just trying to help!