Tartan Choices

[biblemonkey]

Ok so here I am getting ready to get my first real "tank" from Reid Kilts and I have the dilemma that most of us in the kilting world face when presented so many truly excellent options but less money than it would take to get them all. I have narrowed it down to the Graham of Montrose Modern from Locharron (my grandmother's clan and her personal vote) or the Graham of Montrose Weathered (which I am leaning towards so as to have the clan and a lovely variation that I feel is more versatile as seen in Chuktu's thread here http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...d-kilts-65107/ . So back and forth I go. I have both samples, have looked at them in various lighting and am torn for many reasons. I like the Montrose because it is classy, dressy, and true to the clan and my grandmother who I honor with kilting in general. At the same time the colors of the Weathered are so lovely and remind me of fall just before winter and I like weathered tartans in general. So here they are - Rabble! Have at 'em!

The Montrose Modern
This says medium but the picture is closer to the 16oz than the 16oz photo.
http://thetartansite.com/product_inf...products_id=77

The Montrose Weathered
http://thetartansite.com/product_inf...roducts_id=919

Happy voting,
Hugh

P.S. I know that I have raised the tartan question before but this is down to a far more precise version of that topic as I have learned so much more since then. This is just for opinion polling based on the criteria given and meant to be fun and a conversation starter as to why one over the other.

[Tim Little]

I can't do it!

Both are wonderful variations of the tartan. Although I'm *very* partial to the weathered version, in the end I cast my vote -- by a slim margin -- for the modern version on the reasoning that IMHO one's first "TANK" should be as traditional as possible. As I believe Jock Scot has said elsewhere recently, modern colors tend to be *perceived* as more traditional than other variants.

While I'm sure I've seen illustrations of a weathered tartan being worn with black tie, it's also my opinion that the modern colors tend to "dress up" a bit better than weathered colors do -- if that factors into your decisionmaking at all.

[azwildcat96]

I'm partial to weathered.

[Tim Little]

An addendum:

In the end, go with the one that in your heart/gut you will feel best about having paid a not insignificant sum. Three or six months down the line is not a time for buyer's remorse on an investment such as this!

[rondo]

The weathered looks awsome...that would be my pic...but follow your heart.
Rondo

[thescot]

I love weathered tartan. But for an overall best use, I would go with the modern version. While awaiting the slings and arrows of outrage from the weathered tartan fans--and remember I love and own two weathered tartans myself--I believe that the green/blue looks better for every occassion if you have only one. In black tie, the browns just don't look as good to me. (I used to black and blue for evening wear. I would never don a brown tuxedo.) Even though the photos Chuktu showed looked really good!

Another thing is that the weathered is always hard for others to recognize, and one reason for tartan is to be like your clansmen.

[McElmurry]

I agree with thescot

[mookien]

Hugh: This may, or may not, be helpful to you, but when I face a binary decision like yours, I play a little mind game with myself. It doesn't always help, but it surprises me how many times it does.

You can start right now, if you like. The steps are:

1. Make your decision based on what you know and how you feel now. From your comments I suspect that would be the Weathered, but it really doesn't matter which. It's your decision.

2. Put further thought on the subject out of your mind as much as possible, because you've already made the decision. There's no longer any need to fret over it.

3. Wait some number of days, even weeks. If nothing extraordinary happens, you made the right decision. But, if you hear a little nagging, irrepressible, inner voice telling you the other decision was actually the correct one, then go for it!

Good luck. And, may the "best" tartan win.

[biblemonkey]

Hugh: This may, or may not, be helpful to you, but when I face a binary decision like yours, I play a little mind game with myself. It doesn't always help, but it surprises me how many times it does.

You can start right now, if you like. The steps are:

1. Make your decision based on what you know and how you feel now. From your comments I suspect that would be the Weathered, but it really doesn't matter which. It's your decision.

2. Put further thought on the subject out of your mind as much as possible, because you've already made the decision. There's no longer any need to fret over it.

3. Wait some number of days, even weeks. If nothing extraordinary happens, you made the right decision. But, if you hear a little nagging, irrepressible, inner voice telling you the other decision was actually the correct one, then go for it!

Good luck. And, may the "best" tartan win.

Great advice. I have done just that and chose the Modern as my "sounding board" and am seeing how that settles with me over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks,
Hugh

[Joshua]

Modern colors are more appropriate for more situations.

That being said, I absolutely love weathered kilts as well and once construction is complete on my 3 summer homes, cigar cave, grotto, and 35-car garage... I'll be happy to have a weathered Urquhart and a modern Urquhart to go with it... seeing as construction hasn't even started yet I guess I'm saving up for a modern (even though my wife is pushing me towards the weathered).