Popular Wedding Tartans

The main question you need to ask is – are you wearing your family tartan? Some decide not to as it clashes with the colours in the bridal group. Also what do you wear if you are not a Clan?
You can find out what your Clan and Tartan is by going here >
To view our Tartan Pattern Book please go here >
At ScotClans we sell a massive range of tartans and products made in those tartans. We also have a wonderful kilt maker if you are looking for a kilt.
View our kilts >
A good way to start is to buy a few tartan swatches to see and feel what the tartan is like.
View tartan swatches available for buying >

So you have chosen not to go with your family tartan what next?

Universal Tartans
There are tartans that anyone can wear. So Flower of Scotland, Pride of Scotland, Scottish National Regional and District Tartans, Fashion tartans like Grey Granite or Dark Isle. Solid colours or tweed.

What are the rules as to which tartans I can choose for my kilt
Normally a Scotsman chooses his clan tartan (see our clan A-Z to view a list of clans that you could be part of). But if you have no tartan and are not associated with a clan, you can choose from a wide range of Universal Tartans. If this is the case you can look for something that complements your colouring, for example if you’re dark-haired you might choose red as a main colour of your kilt. You also should remember that it is going to be photographed and should therefore not be too busy with stripes going through it. Take the advice from the kiltmaker regarding the tartan you should choose (if you’re considering getting your kilt through us – we can advise.

It is up to you whether you want to avoid or actually pick one of the most popular ones, these usually include the purple tartans and plain kilts. There is a wide choice of patterns to choose from, whether tartan or plain, including; clan, district, Welsh, Cornish and Irish tartans, so you are bound to find one that suits you. Don’t feel bad about just choosing a tartan that you like for your special day, the tartan police aren’t going to turn up at your wedding and put a stop to the proceedings

Understanding the different types of tartan

What’s the difference between the Ancient, Hunting, Dress and Weathered tartans?
Most tartans fall into one of the following categories:
Ancient: Soft and lighter colours.
Modern: tend to be strong dark colours, although they can be lighter. Usually they are plainer.
Hunting: either of the above kinds of tartan but they tend to have lots of green going through them.
Dress: any of the above with a lot of white through it. This would traditionally be worn as an event like a Wedding.
Weathered: also known as muted, this is a faded/washed out dyed version of any of the previously mentioned tartans.

Should all the male members of the wedding party wear matching kilts?

This isn’t strictly necessary. Generally, people think it’s nice to see the bridegroom in a different tartan so that he stands out from the rest.

Popular Dress Tartans

Usually the bride wears white so a Dress tartan works well. Tartans with pinks and purples and wine colours in them also work well.

Pinks

Purples

Wine Colours

Natural Colours

Smart, Modern Looking Tartans