What Do Kilt Colors Mean?

What Do Kilt Colors Mean?

The Scotland culture is fascinated by the beautiful kilts. The kilt colors are the tartan patterns, which are a combination of different colors i.e, green, blue, yellow, red, etc. These are simple patterns but give a powerful message. Every tartan pattern has a history and belongs to the specific Royal Scottish family. There are also plain colors, tweed colors, leather, and denim fabric colors available in the Scotland, USA, and other major countries of the world in which Scottish kilts are made. However, the main attractive color among all colors is tartans. These are unique and represent the Scottish culture. In ancient times, the only tartan patterns were being used by the Royal families and the Scottish regiment.  Later on, this Scottish culture gives more boost which results in the inclusion of other fabric colors.

What Do Kilt Colors Mean?

In this article, we are going to emphasize the tartan patterns. Every pattern has a combination of beautiful colors. Each tartan pattern has a history behind which makes this fabric interesting. The Scottish tartan is a criss-cross pattern that has different colors. The horizontal and vertical threads in this pattern are interesting to each other. Mostly tartan has involves green and blue threads which mainly represent Scottish and Irish culture.

The William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn is the responsible company for adding green and blue colors to the Scottish tartans. This company uses natural dyes of green and blue in the Scottish tartans. The other natural dyes that are being used for making different patterns are red and black. In order to better understand What Do Kilt Colors Mean, we are going to discuss the type of tartans that are available in the Scottish market from which Scottish kilts are made.

  • District Tartans
  • Clan Tartans
  • Universal Tartans

District Tartans

As we have discussed above, the criss-cross patterns of different color threads are the formation of a tartan and each tartan has a powerful message and meaning. The district tartans are the tartans that represent the specific district like Edinburgh district, Alabama district, and California district. Every district has its own tartans which are issued by the government or the Royal Scottish family. These tartans involve many beautiful threads and you can wear such tartan kilts at national level events.

What Do Kilt Colors Mean?

Clan Tartans

Like district tartans, the clan tartans also represent Scottish regiments. Every tartan pattern has a history that you must understand before wearing such a tartan kilt. If you any of the clan kilt then it means the kilt wearer represents a certain Scottish family. If you are not familiar with the specific tartan clan then you should not wear that clan tartan kilt. The other good option is for you to wear universal tartan kilts.

Universal Tartans

The universal tartans are the regular tartans and are designed for everyone. The non-Scottish accent can also wear kilts in these tartans. These tartans although have a history but you can still wear the kilts in these tartans. The popular universal tartans are the Royal Stewart, Douglas Blue, Gunn, Black watch, and Hunting Stewart tartans.

What Is The Oldest Tartan?

The modern tartans were invented in the 16th century but before this period, the ancient tartan was being used. The first and the oldest tartan of Scottish history was Falkirk tartan. This tartan was first used in the 3rd century AD. The people at that time wear full-length tartan cloth to cover the whole body. There was no concept of today’s kilt. These people not only cover the whole body with tartan but also make blankets, cushion covers, and other household things.

Tartan Difference By Gender

There is no differentiation of tartans according to gender. Like cotton and denim colors, the tartans are also wearable by both males and females. There is no such tartan by today which represents a specific gender.

Why Are So Many Tartans Green And Blues?

The tartan pattern was made according to the availability of natural dyes. At that time the blue and green dye was available every time, so mostly tartans have these two beautiful colors. The popular company,  William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn, was responsible for using these colors for making tartan patterns. Later on, red, black, yellow, brown, and other thread colors were being used for making different patterns. The green and blue threads also represent the Ireland and Scotland flag colors, so this was also the reason behind adding these colors in a Scottish tartan pattern.

Which Tartan Is For Formal Occasions?

The Scottish people wear the clan tartan on formal occasions such as weddings. If you are a Scottish accent then you must wear complete Scottish attire according to your clan tartan. If you want to wear universal tartans then you should wear tartans which have a green or blue major color. Moreover, there are also too many tartans available in monochrome or brown colors which you can wear at Scottish events.

What Tartans Are Best For Hunting?

The hunting Stewart tartan is the best tartan for hunting. You can wear kilts or trousers of this tartan if you want to go hunting. However, if this tartan is not available then you can wear kilts of any universal tartan.

What Are The Tartans For The Highlanders?

The outlander and Fraser weathered tartans are the best for the highlanders. These tartans have a brown primary color. These are the only popular tartans in Hollywood movies. If you wanted to become a Highlander then these tartans are for you.

Conclusion

In this article, you can now understand What Do Kilt Colors Mean? Every tartan pattern consists of two or more colors and every pattern has a meaning. If you are a true Scottish then clan tartan is for you otherwise go with the universal tartans. Our kilt company, kiltsshop.com has all tartans available which fulfill your need. You don’t need to go anywhere for finding the right tartan for an event. Every tartan is available at the one-stop-shop.

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