What's Your Favorite Universal Tartan?

**Elizabeth** · 5th August 13, 02:13 PM

Isle of Skye hands down. Make me wish I was a man so I could order a 16oz tank. I love the vivid but earthy colors and the variety of colors that go well with it makes it very versatile. It also seems to dress up and down well.

**Grizzly** · 5th August 13, 02:21 PM

No reason not too Elizabeth. It's not restricted to men only and it is lovely.

**Elizabeth** · 5th August 13, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

No reason not too Elizabeth. It's not restricted to men only and it is lovely.

I'm pondering it. I'm a jeans kind of gal and spending to have one made to fit me seems like an extravagance due to the fact that I would only (probably) wear it a few times a year.

**rondo** · 5th August 13, 04:06 PM

My favorite is US Navy Edzell. then Holyrood, followed by Spirit of Scotland...I have kilts in all three. I also like the Isle of Skye.
Rondo

**Manxstralian** · 5th August 13, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Liam

I have four "district" tartan kilts - Saskatchewan, Maple Leaf, Irish National and Tipperary, but I don't consider these to be "universal" tartans. I believe one should have an affiliation with the particular district to wear them.

I concur with this attitude as well, I have my Manx Blue, and will (eventually, finances being what they are) get a 5-yard in Manx Hunting, and if my experiments with box pleating work out, I may spring for some "Australia" tartan as well... Otherwise, I don't see there being a shortage of Black Watch or Royal Stewart tartan which will cause me to venture too far into tenuous connections.

Though I do wonder if this is merely a projection as I don't have a clan tartan to have an attachment to? My somewhat cursory genealogical research has established that my paternal grandmother was a Perry whose ancestors came from Angus County, but I did start to question whether my research into my ancestry was just a search for an excuse to wear a different tartan, as if there's no feeling for the connection, why would I wear the tartan?

No disrespect meant to others who feel differently, but I believe it was Father Bill who said "You don't choose your tartan, it chooses you".

Cheers,

Cameron

**mookien** · 5th August 13, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Manxstralian

... No disrespect meant to others who feel differently, but I believe it was Father Bill who said "You don't choose your tartan, it chooses you". ...

Cameron

Now I know why my kilts keep following me around the house.

John

**Manxstralian** · 5th August 13, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

Now I know why my kilts keep following me around the house.

John

Well, they do keep calling to me from the closet, regardless of the suitability of the weather...

**Father Bill** · 5th August 13, 04:50 PM

If I didn't say it... I would have!

**California Highlander** · 5th August 13, 05:12 PM

Spirit of Scotland and Isle of Skye are two of my favorites. I have a Black Watch kilt, and have always loved the tartan.

**Manxstralian** · 5th August 13, 06:20 PM

I realised I didn't actually answer the question; Black Watch for me, it does formal well, but is dark enough to be useable for casual wear when it might get marked.