Weathered Tartan: Only day wear, or formal wear, too?

[ThistleDown]

Roderick I have been wearing a Strome weathered Davidson for about 25-30 years; that would be from about the first run, I think. I also have a DC Dalgleish repro Davidson in 13 oz that I've been wearing for about 35 years. The latter (and its current versions by Marton Mills and Strathmore) are smashing with formal attire, but I must admit that I think of the Strome as day wear. Just personal preferences, of course.

[bigdad1]

I read every post leading up to yours, and no one cited any rules regarding the wearing of weathered tartans. In fact, the most hide-bound, fuddy-duddy, uber traditionalilsts (me and SFMACLJR) were 100% in favour of weathered tartans with formal attire.

So... where were the rules cited? I agree with the last four words of your post, but I don't get the stuff about rules.

You are right in that no one had cited rules as such. I was speaking from my experience on this and the other forum where there are usually two or more who list obscure rules and customs about various aspects of our mode of dress. That none came up on this post surprises me but my point remains the same.

[Roderick]

One of the things I have started to tell my customers when they ask about accessories and the different levels of dress is this;

Let the Kilt stand on it's own.

The Jacket will set the level of formality of the outfit ...

Excellent advice. Thank you, Steve!

I read every post leading up to yours, and no one cited any rules regarding the wearing of weathered tartans. In fact, the most hide-bound, fuddy-duddy, uber traditionalilsts (me and SFMACLJR) were 100% in favour of weathered tartans with formal attire.

So... where were the rules cited? I agree with the last four words of your post, but I don't get the stuff about rules.

I'm sure it was more a matter of my pondering/wondering about the reactions that folk might have, and really it was an assumption on my part about things brown being more suited to day wear, rather than the suggestion on anyone's parts that there might be hard and fast rules about this sort of thing.

Which we all know don't exist.

Roderick I have been wearing a Strome weathered Davidson for about 25-30 years; that would be from about the first run, I think ...

Can I ask if your choice in tartan is simply one of pleasure or if you in fact have a connection to the Davidsons? Don't worry: I'm not with the Kilt Police. I'm just curious.

[Bugbear]

Sadly, I do know of a post on the forum, in a white tie thread, in fact, where someone did say that weathered tartans should not be worn with formal attire. That person was banned from the forum, so I will not post a quote . It was said in an authoritative way as if it were some kind of established convention.

I am thankful for when the traditionalists correct misunderstandings and mistakes, as well as, the myths of Highland attire.

[slohairt]

I'll echo the plethora of replies here and say that weathered can certainly be worn for any occasion. As Steve, Matt, and others have said, it is the accessories and jacket that determines how "dressy" one's kilted attire is. Many times I've seen the terms "Dress Kilt" or "Regulation Kilt" used on some websites and I wonder who's "regulation" they're speaking of?

I think the black leather straps with silver buckles is definitely a more practical choice than brown with brass. Not that I don't like brown leather, I just find it to be a bit more of a challenge to match brown items than black. (In a minute or so, someone will post saying they don't need to match! )

[Bugbear]

Well... If the brown straps with a black jacket or sporran etc bother you on your own kilt, then they do need to match.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well... If the brown straps with a black jacket or sporran etc bother you on your own kilt, then they do need to match.

Truer words were never writ or spoke...

[Tattoo Bradley]

You are right in that no one had cited rules as such. I was speaking from my experience on this and the other forum where there are usually two or more who list obscure rules and customs about various aspects of our mode of dress. That none came up on this post surprises me but my point remains the same.

**Mod Hat Off**

So, I must ask: what exactly is your point?

The conversation was trucking right along nice and smoothly. No one threw in anything about "rules" (a well known debated topic) until your post. So, your point was what?

I say it would have been well enough to leave well enough alone and let the civilize discussion about weathered tartans remain just that.

[ThistleDown]

Can I ask if your choice in tartan is simply one of pleasure or if you in fact have a connection to the Davidsons? Don't worry: I'm not with the Kilt Police. I'm just curious.

I am a Davidson, decended of Duncan 4th of Tulloch. I live part of the year in Vancouver and part just south of Inverness. I'm one of those Scots who wear the kilt as daily attire.