Irish Tartan Kilts

Learn the basics of Scottish Clan and Irish Tartan plaid designs.

What's a Tartan?

A Tartan design is a pattern of intersecting stripes that run horizontally & vertically through a woven textile - typically wool. This design tends to make a plaid design, and it is why it’s also known as “family plaid” in united states. Tartans are accustomed to make kilts, skirts also add-ons.

Native to Scotland & Ireland, tartan styles are most often certain to a clan, family or region. Though its origins are shrouded ever, chances are the clan tartan we know today developed through the area tartan.

Consider the regional weaver would create a duration of cloth together with residents of this location would every put on similar plaid. Since clans & people in addition had a tendency to be local, the tartan would then arrive at represent the family for the reason that area.

"Tartan" is the correct term, however it occasionally called by these names: Tartan Plaid Family Plaid Scottish Plaid Clan Colors Clan Plaid Irish Plaid Tartan Colors Family Colors.

For a description of tartan types or colorways, scroll down.

A Tartan will come in a number of colorways. These fundamental tartan variations might combine for more complex Tartans such as for example Stewart Dress Muted Tartan, or MacRae searching Ancient Tartan.

Contemporary: they are the bright, rich colors that a lot of folks associate with the Scottish Tartan-navy blue, scarlet, hunter green. These people were woven after the improvement aniline dyes in 1860, and are also still typically the most popular these days.

Example: Cameron of Erracht Modern

Ancient (Old colors): they are the gentler & less heavy colors made by the natural dyes made out of veggie, pet & mineral matter, that were used before 1860. As an example, the navy and purple in a contemporary tartan would-be a medium blue and tangerine, respectively, in Ancient colors.

Sample: Cameron of Erracht Ancient

Muted: Muted tartans are a current development making use of gentler tones regarding the Modern colors that nevertheless keep an abundant tone. Including, the navy of Modern tartan is a dusty blue into the Muted tones, additionally the hunter green is a-deep sage. These are generally rather elegant.

Sample: Cameron of Erracht Muted

Dress: Dress tartans were used to get more formal events as they are sometimes made by changing the background color of a clan tartan, frequently to white. Dress tartans can be red prominent and sometimes even yellowish.

Example: Gordon Dress

Searching: Hunting tartans were used for sport or daily wear. Dark colors were predominant so the wearer would blend in aided by the environment. They typically use green & blue, sometimes brown, with a small amount of the brighter colors.

Example: Fraser Hunting Ancient

Weathered & Reproduction: Designed to look like the fabric is remaining confronted with sun and rain for some time. The colors are very faded.