Irish Kilts: solid vs. tartan

**Lime** · 15th March 12, 07:02 AM

The Irish tricolour was designed to represent all people of Ireland, the Catholics (Green) and the Protestants in the north (Orange). And the white was for peace between them.
The orange was chosen due to the significance of this colour by the Protetants and Ulster-Scots in the north, due to their connection to William of Orange.

I'm sure you are right but I would observe that there is a faction that rejects green and orange in favour of red and blue... but this has nothing to do with kilts!

**Blackrose87** · 15th March 12, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Lime

I'm sure you are right but I would observe that there is a faction that rejects green and orange in favour of red and blue... but this has nothing to do with kilts!

No, your right definitely! I was just explaining the last post. People who are unaware of the different kilts and their meanings, would take assumptions from the symbolism of these colours today. Theyre wrong of course, but I know that it would still happen.
I just mean that if I went home wearing a saffron kilt, Irishness would be the last thing the majority of people would associate with it.

**Mael Coluim** · 15th March 12, 07:13 AM

Well since I own kilts in St. Patrick, St. Columba, & Ulster tartan, that must answer the question of my preference.

**Lime** · 15th March 12, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by Blackrose87

No, your right definitely! I was just explaining the last post. People who are unaware of the different kilts and their meanings, would take assumptions from the symbolism of these colours today. Theyre wrong of course, but I know that it would still happen.
I just mean that if I went home wearing a saffron kilt, Irishness would be the last thing the majority of people would associate with it.

Yes I think it would be pretty far down the list on marking someone out as Irish... or Ulster-Scots for that matter.

**O'Searcaigh** · 15th March 12, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

...Here is my question: do you prefer Irish kilts to be solid or tartan? Why? Pros and cons of either option? ...

Well, I don't really think in terms of a kilt's "nationality" other than its obvious historical association with Scotland as largely romanticized in/by Victorian fashion and as already noted, mostly by/for the "gentry."

As to solid vs. tartan: It all depends on the solid and the tartan. I have seen solid colors I wouldn't wear anywhere and a lot of tartans (both "Scottish" and "Irish") I would not wear either, not because I had no relation "entitling" me to them but just because I don't like the colors or setts (e.g., I am "entitled" to wear U.S. Navy Edzell but I don't like it).

On the other hand, I recently found an "Irish County Tyrone Tartan" that would coordinate beautifully with my brown tweed Argyle jacket and waistcoat and by chance, my family name is said to have originated there. I also have about 12 yards of beautiful green Pendleton wool that would make a really nice solid colored kilt but I would not be that keen on actually wearing it whatever its "nationality" (Oregon?) might be. So for me its a good tartan over solids and basically for aesthetic rather than nationalistic reasons. That's my preference. What's it worth? Basically nothing (except to me) but you asked!

-- And thanks for doing so

**denmcdough** · 15th March 12, 08:07 AM

Tartan or solid??? Hmm, no preference, really. I have both and like them all.

When kilted, I wear it, not so much for nationality or connection, but because I just like all the different colors, as I don't have any real connection to it. No one from my Irish side wore the kilt, undoubtedly. I just like kilts. There are many on this forum who have no Celtic connection, but wear the kilt because it's a wonderful garment.

I do think we, here on this forum, tend to get too wrapped up on the kilt being Irish or Scottish. Some get terribly defensive and take it to heart, having to keep justifying this or that. Who cares where it came from? IMHO, I think we should just enjoy it for what it is........clothing!

If one has to have a conncetion, then go for it. And, as for the Irish diaspora adopting the kilt, well, it is what it is, inspite of having misinformation about kilt history/origin. No turning back now. Just like cell phones and computers, no one is giving it up. It's here to say, just like Irish kilts.

Just sayin'!

**Paul Henry** · 15th March 12, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by denmcdough

Tartan or solid??? Hmm, no preference, really. I have both and like them all.

When kilted, I wear it, not so much for nationality or connection, but because I just like all the different colors, as I don't have any real connection to it. No one from my Irish side wore the kilt, undoubtedly. I just like kilts. There are many on this forum who have no Celtic connection, but wear the kilt because it's a wonderful garment.

I do think we, here on this forum, tend to get too wrapped up on the kilt being Irish or Scottish. Some get terribly defensive and take it to heart, having to keep justifying this or that. Who cares where it came from? IMHO, I think we should just enjoy it for what it is........clothing!

If one has to have a conncetion, then go for it. And, as for the Irish diaspora adopting the kilt, well, it is what it is, inspite of having misinformation about kilt history/origin. No turning back now. Just like cell phones and computers, no one is giving it up. It's here to say, just like Irish kilts.

Just sayin'!

Of course we all pick what clothes, and what colours or tartans that we like, and I often suggest that having a kilt that you don't like the colours is a little foolish,when there are so many options, even within clan tartans, available. I'm more than happy to see more kilts being worn, by everyone regardless of their nationality or history.

I think, without being defensive, that when mis-information is given and reported as fact , that is when it's fine to comment, and sadly there is a lot of mis-information , or at the very least, being charitable, romantisation that goes on even on this forum. It doesn't seem unreasonable for the facts to be heard as well!

**denmcdough** · 15th March 12, 08:44 AM

of course we all pick what clothes, and what colours or tartans that we like, and i often suggest that having a kilt that you don't like the colours is a little foolish,when there are so many options, even within clan tartans, available. I'm more than happy to see more kilts being worn, by everyone regardless of their nationality or history.

I think, without being defensive, that when mis-information is given and reported as fact , that is when it's fine to comment, and sadly there is a lot of mis-information , or at the very least, being charitable, romantisation that goes on even on this forum. It doesn't seem unreasonable for the facts to be heard as well!

Amen! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!

**MacSpadger** · 15th March 12, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

I'm more than happy to see more kilts being worn, by everyone regardless of their nationality or history.

I think, without being defensive, that when mis-information is given and reported as fact , that is when it's fine to comment, and sadly there is a lot of mis-information , or at the very least, being charitable, romantisation that goes on even on this forum. It doesn't seem unreasonable for the facts to be heard as well!

Well said, Paul.

**Bugbear** · 15th March 12, 11:00 AM

Actually, from this and other threads, it seems like the solid color kilts, as Jock seems to indicate, are being associated with or perceived as American tourist kilts, and by extension, American kilts. I also do not seem to be detecting a call or demand for Irish kilts by Irish people living in Ireland.

So… perhaps the solid color kilt could be the American kilt… Especially if it is oddly designed or constructed compared to the traditional Scottish kilt…

That sounds fine to me, or at least better than projecting kilts on the Irish when they might not be of any real interest to most people in Ireland.

Just thinking between the lines…