Funeral Kilts?

[Casper]

*Disclaimer... kinda morbid*

I have a few elderly family members that may be kicking in the near future, and was comparing tartans for possible black tie and funeral use. Being a Stewart (oh, the joys of being generic!), below were the options I was considering:

Just found this one, think it may be my frontrunner as its pretty true to the sett:
http://kiltstore.net/tartan/Stewart-...e-Modern/69483

This was my original favourite, but i'm not sure how well the gray would show:
http://kiltstore.net/tartan/Stewart-...1-Modern/69451

This one is also an option, but is a distant third:
http://kiltstore.net/tartan/Stewart-...3-Modern/69453

This one is just a little too busy for my tastes:
http://kiltstore.net/tartan/Stewart-...y-Modern/69485

I wanted to gather feedback from everyone else on the matter... opinions? Other than being a hearless b*stard for even thinking about this?

[beloitpiper]

Black and white Stewart: not bad, but kinda boring, in my opinion
Stewart Mourning (#1 and 3): appropriate, but would you feel comfortable wearing it outside of a funeral?
Black white and grey: it's nice, but too busy.

If I were to choose one, I'd go with the first one, the Stewart black and white Modern.

[Clockwork John]

I don't think it's morbid or sick at all. I think it shows that you are truly a thoughtful person, and that you truly care for those who are close to you.

I like the first three, the fourth is, as you said, too busy.

I like the thought of a "mourning" tartan, but as beliotpiper pointed out- would you be comfortable wearing that outside a funeral?

[sharpdressedscot]

Black Watch?? Maybe?

[gilmore]

You may have read that in Victorian times it was not unusual for tartans to be woven in mourning colors, that is, the usual tartan proportions but in black and white, along with modern, ancient, hunting, etc. or so I have heard.

I don't think it is at all morbid. Of course in Victorian times there was a more sentimental custom, or even cult, of mourning, the mortality rates were higher than they are today, and people lived closer to their relatives and friends and so attended more funerals. Also, mourning was worn for months or years. Many of us today are are reaching an age when we go to more funerals that younger people do. It might be wise to have a sedate black and white kilt to wear, rather than, say, one's usual bright red and yellow tartan.

I remember reading somewhere that the black and white Menzies tartan is sometimes used in funeral kilts, but don't remember the source or how authoritative it was.

All four of the ones you show are tasteful and appropriate, though the last is a bit busy, as you say.

[Casper]

Well, one of the other reasons that I was also leaning towards the first is the fact that its not, by name, a 'mourning' tartan. Would open it up for black tie/symphony/theatre uses as well...

[Dirk Skene]

#2 would be approprate I think.

[cessna152towser]

I always wear my all black heavyweight kilt and black hose, with Argyle jacket, dress shirt and black tie to funerals but I have often seen Black Watch kilts being worn with navy blue hose at funerals here in Scotland. I cannot recall ever having seen kilts other than black or black watch worn at funerals but I suppose a family tartan could be acceptable if it is not too bright and garish.

[Rex_Tremende]

Who said people in mourning never went to the symphony? I like the Stewart mourning tartan best (your second selection, I think).

Regards,
Rex.

[McClef]

The sett, though not the colour of the third one is reminiscent of my Union Kilts tartan.