Lets talk tartan waistcoats

[Father Bill]

Looks smart, Dale! Is it the same length as you'd have for kiltwear?

Go for it!

I've done that on Tartan Day when I couldn't wear a kilt to work:

[Dale Seago]

Looks smart, Dale! Is it the same length as you'd have for kiltwear?

Aye, it is. In fact, Matt Newsome made it specifically to go with a kilt he'd made for me in the same (tweed) fabric; but it also works fine with the Saxon-style Harris Tweed sport coat shown, and slacks.

[Nathan]

Superficially it looks like I'm wearing a tartan waistcoat with daywear tweed jacket in this pic from my Budo teacher's birthday party in Japan back in December. In reality, however, the jacket, kilt, and waistcoat are ALL tweed. (Kilt & waistcoat by Matthew Newsome).

Can something not be simultaneously tweed AND tartan?

[davidlpope]

Can something not be simultaneously tweed AND tartan?

Yes:

[artificer]

Can something not be simultaneously tweed AND tartan?

Yes:

Exactly. Tweed is the type of material (like wool twill in 'regular' kilting material).

Tartan is the pattern woven into the material.

ith:

[Riverkilt]

When I ordered my X Marks tartan vest my kiltmaker felt it would look best horizontal...and so it was made that way.

[Father Bill]

Aye, it is. In fact, Matt Newsome made it specifically to go with a kilt he'd made for me in the same (tweed) fabric; but it also works fine with the Saxon-style Harris Tweed sport coat shown, and slacks.

That's great anybody else have pictures of such a "dual purpose" waistcoat showing the waistline overlap in both and/or either combination with kilt & pants?

[Dale Seago]

Can something not be simultaneously tweed AND tartan?

I've been under the impression that tweed and tartan are different fabric weaves, with tartan referring originally to what we would call a twill weave: Nothing to do with color patterns/designs.

[Nathan]

I've been under the impression that tweed and tartan are different fabric weaves, with tartan referring originally to what we would call a twill weave: Nothing to do with color patterns/designs.

I think that may refer to the fact that the original french root word 'tartane' was about the cloth and not the pattern, just like plaid was about the large Highland brat-like garment and not the pattern, but I think it's safe to say the meaning has shifted over the years and that today the words tartan and plaid refer to a particular pattern, whether it is printed on cotton, twill woven wool, tweed, a carpet, polyviscose etc..

Perhaps someone in the garment business could confirm, but that's my understanding of how the word is used today.

[Nathan]

So I went for it at the games this weekend and wore my dad's old waistcoat. I figured I'm representing the Clan I might as well go big. Once again, a pro photographer stopped and took my photo and emailed me these and some other nice shots.