Newsome Box Pleat in MacMedic Tartan

[M. A. C. Newsome]

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

[Panache]

And remember, WWHD!? (What would Hamish do?)

WWHD?

Brilliant!




Cheers

Jamie

[Tattoo Bradley]

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

My lab coats come to about an inch above my knees. Not sure how that would work with a kilt. Other than the safety issues of wearing a kilt in my work environment, that is also a reason I wouldn't do so. It may look like you're wearing hose and a lab coat!

But, I think your comments were SPOT ON.

[Mr. MacDougall]

What type of kilt pin to wear with it -- maybe a small syringe or stethoscope in keeping with the medic theme.

Those are interesting ideas, but probably not. I've had trouble finding something of the proper size and in the right thematic neighborhood.

A Caduceus would definitely fit the theme and look sharp.

Yes. Since I live in Northern Arizona, land of the silver smith, I'm planning to commission a silver caduceus when I get my spring semester financial aid.

Thanks for the good review!

My pleasure. Thank you for the fine kilt.

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.

Again, it was my pleasure. It just makes sense to me... I understood exactly why they had adopted it, and it appealed to both my sense of humor, and my pride in being a part of the healing arts. Has the lady succeeded in getting it registered?

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

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

6. Ask Hamish how he would accessorize this kilt!

There's a message you're trying to send, here, and I'm not quite getting it... something about fleeing in terror from any advice Hamish might offer?

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

There's a hierarchy in the hospital, and you can tell what level of it someone is on, by looking at how they dress. Scrubs, no stethoscope? Assistive personnel. Scrubs, with stethoscope? Nurse. Lab coat, no stethoscope? Lab tech. Lab coat, with stethoscope? Health care provider. Since I'm a nurse, I'll avoid the lab coat. ;)

[Rampant Lion]

Yes. Since I live in Northern Arizona, land of the silver smith, I'm planning to commission a silver caduceus when I get my spring semester financial aid.

I think what you're looking for is one of these: Rod of Ascleplius

The caduceus is associated with commerce, not medicien: Caduceus

However, I do not claim to be an expert on these matters. I saw the word caduceus, had a pretty good idea what it was referring to, wasn't sure so I wikied it. Ta da!

I really like the kilt btw. And I think medical themed accessories would be spot on/awesome! As much as I think wearing black is the easy way out when trying to make a kilt ensemble(sp) I still wear black hose with a black shirt with my kilts and I think that option would look REALLY good with your kilt.

[Clockwork John]

I really like the kilt btw. And I think medical themed accessories would be spot on/awesome! As much as I think wearing black is the easy way out when trying to make a kilt ensemble(sp) I still wear black hose with a black shirt with my kilts and I think that option would look REALLY good with your kilt.

I agree. Black would be good. Green, as suggested by Matt, would work too. Blue might also look good.

Too much red does give it that candy cane look.

BTW, nice kilt, and kudos to you for going into a tough field!

[Mr. MacDougall]

I think what you're looking for is one of these: Rod of Ascleplius

The caduceus is associated with commerce, not medicien: Caduceus

Actually, I meant the caduceus. In America, at least, today, the caduceus is the symbol of medicine. It doesn't matter that once upon a time, it had to do with commerce; today, in this place, it means medicine. I was a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy, and my rate mark was a caduceus. My father was a Registered Nurse, and had a caduceus engraved on his stethoscope. So it's a symbol which has deep personal meaning for me, and it's the one I'll use.

[Rampant Lion]

Actually, I meant the caduceus. In America, at least, today, the caduceus is the symbol of medicine. It doesn't matter that once upon a time, it had to do with commerce; today, in this place, it means medicine.

Like I said, I'm defiitely not an expert and you obviously know more about the topic. I was just putting forth some info. I found.

I was a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy, and my rate mark was a caduceus. My father was a Registered Nurse, and had a caduceus engraved on his stethoscope. So it's a symbol which has deep personal meaning for me, and it's the one I'll use.

And that's all that matters.

Oh, and I agree with some of the others. Dressing more traditionally with the MacMedic kilt might take away from some of the "MacTableclothliness" of it.

[O'Neille]

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

A lab coat is way too long. I have a white consulting jacket that would make an interesting kilt length coat. I looked at it hanging at the office today and this just made me think about adjusting the length and adding some thistle buttons. I never wear one so it would probably just go back on hook.