For my fellow Marines

[Dale G]

Fellow Devil Dogs:
While I am by no means capable of putting a tartan together, has anyone thought about designing one based on scarlet and gold? The blue should certainly be in there in no small proportion but it just strikes me as odd that the actual Marine Corps colors play such a small part in the existing tartans.

[The Wizard of BC]

Dale,

To answer your question - in my mind when I was designing this Tartan I did think about basing the Tartan on Scarlet and Gold. No matter what I tried the kilt would be so bright it would knock your socks off just looking at it.

so I chose to subdue the look.

Here is the inspiration for the Tartan.



You can see the Leatherneck Tartan on the top and the Dress Blue Tartan on the bottom.

the Dress Blue Tartan uses the same colors, in the same proportions as those found in the Dress Blue uniform.

A Note about the name - If you look at the Scottish Tartans Authority under the US Marine Corps/Leatherneck Tartan you will see that it is listed as a Military? Tartan. When the Scottish Register of Tartans started up they changed the criteria for naming Tartans. I originally wanted to call my Tartan the USMC Dress Blue. This was rejected as there is no official acceptance by HQ Marine Corps.

So, in the Scottish Tartans Authority there is the implication that the Leatherneck, US Army, etc, are "official" Tartans sanctioned by their respective branches. If registered today with the Scottish Register of Tartans these names would not be accepted.

[Dale G]

It is certainly a beautiful tartan. My wife is going to kill me if I keep having to buy more kilts.

[Leatherneck Donald]

Finally had the time to go through this entire thread. First, let me say that, Steve, you did an amazing job designing the Dress Blue Tartan. It is beautiful and invokes powerful feelings.

I have two Leatherneck kilts (one seems to have "shrunk" quite a bit). I am gradually working my way back down to my fighting weight, and when I do, I need to order a Dress Blue kilt. In my mind, I will wear the Leatherneck for day wear and the Dress Blue for evening or formal ceremonies.

Semper Fi!

[sailortats]

In my mind, I will wear the Leatherneck for day wear and the Dress Blue for evening or formal ceremonies. Semper Fi!

That would seem to be the perfect way for wearing these 2 beautiful tartans.

[Guinach]

If someone starts an order, please ping me. I'm in.
Kon

[The Wizard of BC]

Guinach,

I had 70 meters D/W woven at first. When that sold I placed another order.

I try to keep this Tartan on hand at all times. I currently have three kilts worth of 16oz fabric in my wool safe ready to ship or fulfill kilt orders.

So if you want fabric or a kilt just drop me a line. If I run out, don't worry, I'll place another order.