Thanks for the good review! With this particular tartan, you will unfortunately have that "table cloth" effect to deal with. We did choose to have it woven on a larger scale (like the Rob Roy), rather than a small scale (like the Shepherd Check), to make the tartan more masculine looking. But no matter how big or small you make it, it's still a red and white check which to many people will remind them of their last visit to Pizza Hut.

Here's the thing, though. When most people make a snide reference to "Clan MacTableCloth" they are implying that one is wearing a cheap homemade kilt, made from whatever plaid fabric was on the dollar per yard rack in the Wal*Mart craft aisle.

Your kilt is made from the highest quality, 100% wool, heavy kilting cloth. And (if I can say this without being immodest) is very well made. In other words, it's a very fine kilt! Clan MacTableCloth it ain't!

It's also in a tartan that has a very special meaning for you, as one going into the medical profession. The people at the "Clan MacMedic" tent (First Aid tent) at the Stone Mountain Games wear this tartan as a badge of honor. I ran into the woman who pushed to have this tartan registered this past year and mentioned I was making a kilt in this tartan for someone, and she was extremely excited to have the tartan being woven and used.

But, like I said, to many, it will always bring the "table cloth" image to mind, just because that's how they are used to seeing the red and white check pattern (unless they are an eighteenth century reenactor, in which case they will immediately think of hose cloth!).

You want to wear the kilt with pride and do what you can to highlight the quality and importance of the kilt, so as not to give anyone an excuse to call it a table cloth! Here's what I'd do.

1. Ask Hamish how he'd accessorize this kilt.

2. It's a quality kilt. Make sure you wear it with quality accessories. I don't just mean "formal" accessories here. But even when dressing casually, try and wear it with high quality items. I'm not saying you need to go and shell out a ton of money to buy the best of everything right away. But over time, try and accumulate what you need. Everyone knows there is a quality scale on all items, and you typically get what you pay for. To my eye, wearing cheap acessories (sporran, hose, etc) with a high quality kilt looks out of place -- likewise for high quality accessories with a cheap kilt. Even on simple casual items, the quality shows and will be noticed. The nicer you look, the less "Table Cloth" comments you are likely to get. It will highlight the quality of the kilt, which you should be proud of.

3. Ask Hamish how he'd accessorize this kilt.

4. The kilt is only two colors. But don't feel limited to those two colors when choosing accessories. You might end up looking like a candy cane (which might be ok for Christmas!). Think of some other colors that might tone well with this kilt, and try to match hose and shirt with that color, and then perhaps garters to match the kilt. For instance, why not a bottle green shirt and hose, and red garters? Wear with a black belt and black leather sporran, and you'll be set!

5. Number one accessory for this kilt -- a white lab coat!

6. Ask Hamish how he would accessorize this kilt!

:-) Post more pictures, because I think we are all curious about the different looks and possibilities here. And remember, WWHD!? (What would Hamish do?)

M