I agree. Tartan gowns can be absolutely beautiful.

They used to have some tartan gowns from the Victorian era on show in the windows of an amusement arcade in the city centre, here.
They were absolutely gorgeous.

I am trying to get a pattern so that I can get Diane's mum (who is an incredible sewer) to make her a ballgown for dancing in one of the Macdonald tartans.