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

**Panache** · 19th May 09, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

In a great many areas of life there are rules where there don't need to be rules. Kilting seems to be one of those areas. My first tartan was the weathered and I have worn it for formal and casual. I firmly believe it is up to the wearer to decide what he wants to wear not up to some vague "rule" about what to wear. Unless some ancient chief of a tribe comes back to life and shows me the rule I will please myself not some anonymous rule maker. So go for it.

Keep in mind too that "Weathered", "Ancient", and other variants are all fairly new inventions

The key question for me would be "how do these colors look/work with a formal rig?" Now since most formal oputfits are black that is what I would base my opinion on

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**bigdad1** · 19th May 09, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Keep in mind too that "Weathered", "Ancient", and other variants are all fairly new inventions

The key question for me would be "how do these colors look/work with a formal rig?" Now since most formal oputfits are black that is what I would base my opinion on

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

I see your point my friend but I still feel the ultimate decision is do you feel comfortable wearing your total outfit. The only caveat being ugly pseudo kilts being worn to a formal bash.

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th May 09, 05:45 PM

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.

Match the level of formality of the jacket with your accessories. ie Formal Sporran with Cantle top with PC Jacket. Flapped Sporran with fur with Argyle and so on. (These are not hard and fast "Rules" just advice)

But the Kilt can stand on it's own very well. So I would say yes!!! A weathered version of a Tartan can most certainly be worn formally.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 19th May 09, 06:34 PM

Just my tuppence worth here. The Bramer jacket, (Argyle with PC cuffs) really is a formality spanning jacket. With a rolled collar, and four-in-hand tie, it is a dressy suit, with or without waistcoat. Add a formal shirt, bow tie, and three button waistcoat, and it becomes the equivalent of a Tuxedo. Love the flexibility, as I do attend functions where "black-tie" is required.

I was given a kilt-length of "weathered/ancient tartan by my eldest Grandson who is a student in England, He picked it up at an auction of a going-out-of-business sale of a kilt shop. Now all I need is to raise the money to get it made into a tank. Yes, I fully intend to wear it with my Braemer jacket. I also intend to wear it with brown leather accessories for day wear, as the ground colour is lovat blue (or very much like it.) You have been given good advice here. Now just be sure you are happy with the results.

**Rob Wright** · 19th May 09, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Keep in mind too that "Weathered", "Ancient", and other variants are all fairly new inventions

The key question for me would be "how do these colors look/work with a formal rig?" Now since most formal oputfits are black that is what I would base my opinion on

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Just adding some food for thought, I recall a conversation way back on the forum when Hamish mentioned that leather accessories were brown and it was a joy when black was introduced. Then black took over as it was more "formal" and now with the growth of day wear as a separate category we see more brown or other colors.

The kilt is the kilt, how informal or formal, you want it to be depends all on your accessories, and the occasion. Bradley has shown that it does indeed look smashing, in no small part to his personal confidence as a kilt wearer.

I also like MoR suggestions.

Rob :ootd:

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 19th May 09, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

In a great many areas of life there are rules where there don't need to be rules. Kilting seems to be one of those areas. My first tartan was the weathered and I have worn it for formal and casual. I firmly believe it is up to the wearer to decide what he wants to wear not up to some vague "rule" about what to wear. Unless some ancient chief of a tribe comes back to life and shows me the rule I will please myself not some anonymous rule maker. So go for it.

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.

**ThistleDown** · 19th May 09, 08:56 PM

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.

**Roderick** · 19th May 09, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

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!

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

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.

Originally Posted by 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 ...

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.

**ThistleDown** · 20th May 09, 02:30 PM

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.

**bigdad1** · 19th May 09, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

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.