Origin of "Muted" tartan?

**bubba** · 19th August 05, 10:28 AM

Here's my take on it. The old dyes were just as capabe of vivid colors as the modern dyes. The difference is over time they simply weren't as colorfast and tended to fade. Over time they'd fade from bright color to what we call muted and on to ancient. Modern chemical dyes are able to hold their colors much better and longer in general unless the dye is intended to fade or is lower quality for economic reasons.

**Prester John** · 19th August 05, 12:08 PM

Hey Bubba

I like your signature, but I have to ask...

do you take moderation to excess as well? haha

**MacConnachie** · 19th August 05, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I strongly object to "Sir" Robert's post that only a fool new to kilt wearing would want a muted tartan. . .

Wear the muted colors if you like them. If you don't like them, wear something else. That's all there is to it.

M

Thanks, M.A.C. You'll have strong agreement from me, on both points. I know few people who think that the wearing of a kilt is wrapped up in any sort of pretense, at least those who wear them more than a couple of times. While I'm certain there are poseurs aplenty in some parts of the world, those of us descended from those who rebelled against the whole idea of a titled, landed gentry are just as apt to reject the whole idea of hereditary nobility, anyway. Hereditary or purchased, matters not a whit to most of us.

I really like the looks of the "Weathered" Robertson setts that I have seen pictured in various locations. When and if the opportunity arises, I'll most likely obtain a kilt in that tartan because it pleases me to do so, and for no other reason than that.

Mac

**Prester John** · 19th August 05, 12:56 PM

Hey Mac

I also love the Robertson Weathered, and I married one, so I grant you the right to wear it.haha.

Seriously, though, Barb T. and Linda Clifford have answered questions about it for me. It's about 16 oz material. Let me know if and when you're up for it. Maybe we can double up on our order. If it has to be woven, we may save some money.

**Prester John** · 19th August 05, 12:58 PM

And besides, it is a great looking tartan.

**bubba** · 19th August 05, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Prester John

Hey Bubba

I like your signature, but I have to ask...

do you take moderation to excess as well? haha

Moderation is one vice I never aquired

**Kirkwood** · 19th August 05, 03:59 PM

I'm sorry Prester. Did you just say your wife is weathered?

**Prester John** · 19th August 05, 04:02 PM

haha

If I could only weather things as gracefully as she does!

She is a veritable trophy wife for a frog like me. She looks bout 15 years younger than me, even without my long white beard, and I'm only 43!

I hope she doesn't find out about that blunder of grammar!

**Prester John** · 19th August 05, 04:18 PM

Mac

I was speaking specifically of the Robertson Hunting Weathered.

Sorry if I was unclear about that.

**Sir Robert** · 20th August 05, 05:20 PM

I so wish that I did not have to defind myself, but...

The question was about the ORIGIN OF MUTED. I beleive that the muted and ancient tartans were created exactly FOR POSEURS by cloth mills for profit, as were the whole idea of named tartans. The fact that there are legitimate reasons to wear muted or ancient tartans does not change the fact that there are illegitimate reasons as well.

I NEVER called anyone a fool.