Why isn't blue more popular for tweed?

**OC Richard** · 5th February 22, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by Regimental

I do see dark blues being worn quite a bit though...

For sure there's been a recent darkening of the palette.

In the "traditional Highland Dress" which remained remarkably stable from the 1920s through the 1960s the vast majority of tweeds seen with Highland jackets were on the lighter side: Lovat blue, Lovat green, fawn, mid-to-light browns, mid-to-light greys.

But now we see many dark offerings from the major makers.

I just checked Lochcarron's tweed jacket offerings, none are light, two are medium (Lovat and olive green), and four are dark (dark blue, dark brown, dark green, and dark grey).

St Kilda's off-the-peg offerings are light grey, dark grey, and dark blue.

House Of Edgar shows more tweeds and less emphasis on the dark ones, in the lighter tones they offer Lovat, moss, russett, in the mid tones darkish grey and mid-blue, in the dark tones dark blue and deep brown ("peat").

Here in the USA I just checked USA Kilts offerings; off-the-peg they offer only a mid-green and mid-dark blue. Of the tweed jackets you can order there are 5 mid-toned tweeds and 22 dark ones shown.

One thing about pairing tweed jackets and kilts: to coordinate well it looks better if the jacket and kilt contrast in tone as well as in hue. I think that's why tweeds in the mid-to-light range have long been popular: they contrast in tone with dark "modern" tartan kilts. Once again matching is the enemy of coordinating.

**gsmacleod** · 5th February 22, 07:11 AM

I have a blue tweed that I'm rather fond of; I've not found it difficult to pair with any kilt.

20210503_102556~2.jpg

Shane

**OC Richard** · 5th February 22, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by gsmacleod

I have a blue tweed that I'm rather fond of; I've not found it difficult to pair with any kilt.

Exactly. It's why Lovat blue, Lovat green, and browns have been staples since the 1920s: they look good with either blue/green-based or red-based tartans, in either Modern or Ancient colours.

Of course Weathered and Muted colourways are more recent, and more recent yet are the fads for greyscale tartans and purple-based tartans. Perhaps the purple fad is driving people away from the Lovats.

**McMurdo** · 5th February 22, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Exactly. It's why Lovat blue, Lovat green, and browns have been staples since the 1920s: they look good with either blue/green-based or red-based tartans, in either Modern or Ancient colours.

Of course Weathered and Muted colourways are more recent, and more recent yet are the fads for greyscale tartans and purple-based tartans. Perhaps the purple fad is driving people away from the Lovats.

I find the purple based tartans work fine with Lovat Green or Lovat Blue

**ShaunMaxwell** · 5th February 22, 08:50 PM

Lovat blue with MacDougall ancient many moons ago…

Cheers,

SM

**OC Richard** · 9th February 22, 06:23 AM

Good point, for sure Isle Of Skye harmonises well with pretty much anything.

Having three shades of green it matches green accessories well.

Add to that, the purple area is toned down due to the purple stripes alternating with brown stripes.

I guess I was thinking of some overtly purple tartans I've seen.

Also I've been scarred for life by this photo, making me dislike purple in general

and things like this

**Jock Scot** · 9th February 22, 06:48 AM

Like many attire choices it is often the degree("loudness") of colour choice that makes, or destroys the effect of the outfit. The picture you use above O.C.R. demonstrates this unhelpful effect perfectly.

**MacKenzie** · 10th February 22, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

For no particular reason I really don’t like blue tweed, or blue cloth. Perhaps as a country man, blue is just not a natural colour and sticks out like a sore thumb. If I then move that thought to the Highlands of Scotland, the home of the kilt, then I think there again blue just does not fit in with the assorted shades of greys, greens and browns that are predominant there.

Originally Posted by DunRovinStation

I agree with above, it's not that it's not a Natural colour, but rather it is not a colour used in the natural landscape, which is what the tweeds were originally designed from and for.

Interesting comments about blue not blending in with the "landscape". I realize the thread is about tweed, but blues of all shades - and bright reds too - certainly aren't strangers to tartans and no one says they don't "fit".

Is it because the tweed is a, more-or-less, solid blue or "blue cloth" ?

**Jock Scot** · 10th February 22, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by MacKenzie

Interesting comments about blue not blending in with the "landscape". I realize the thread is about tweed, but blues of all shades - and bright reds too - certainly aren't strangers to tartans and no one says they don't "fit".

Is it because the tweed is a, more-or-less, solid blue or "blue cloth" ?

I am sorry that I did not make it clear that I was talking about Civilian kilt attire, not Military or Band kilt attire. As far as civilian attire is concerned then "bright reds" in jacket form really, in my humble opinion, fit in no better than blue cloths. Plain blue cloths in jacket form, to my eye, just look as though the owner is trying too hard to be different. Blue tweeds where there is a mixture of other colours can tone down the blue to a greater or lesser degree which might not offend my eye so much.

**MacKenzie** · 10th February 22, 12:29 PM

I never thought for a second that the discussion was about military/band attire. I was just wondering why blue jackets were viewed unfavorably when blue is in so many tartans.

You answered my question, Jock. Thank you.

FWIW... were I considering a tweed jacket, blue wouldn't be my first choice either. While I think it looks pretty sharp in Shaun's post above (#15), I don't think you could pull it off with any of the MacKenzie tartans.