There was a time when tartan kilts were specific to men only but things have changed and their affiliation with only men does not last. Now, children also wear kilts, especially at formal events and tartan kilts have become a popular choice. A bothersome situation arises when you have to select tartan for kids’ kilts as tartans are available in multiple types and patterns. This article is meant to teach you about their types, tartan options, and selection tips. Let’s begin our article with understanding types of patterns.
Types of Tartan Patterns for Kids’ Kilts
Many people who don’t regularly wear tartans may still recognize the general concept of tartan patterns. Additionally, some people are aware that tartans come in various patterns but don’t know the specifics. Frequent queries from both types of people inspired us to solve this problem before we dive into tartan options.
Clan Tartans
Most of the Scottish tartans are the traditional ones and are associated with clans and that’s why they got this name. People usually wear these tartans at formal events, especially weddings, black-tie events, and ceremonial parades. Individuals with Scottish ancestry wear these tartans.
District and Regional Tartans
Prominently in Ireland and in some parts of Scotland people wear regional tartans. The patterns represent their region. Ireland has 32 counties and all of them have particular tartan swatches as their identity.
Universal Tartans
Those who have Scottish ancestry wear clan tartans but those who are not Scots can use universal tartans. Everyone can dress up in these tartans. According to resources. According to the Scottish Register of Tartan, there are 7,000 tartans in total while approximately 300 clans are registered. Tartans other than clan-associated are universal ones.
Fashion or Contemporary Tartans
The last variation is contemporary tartan patterns. They are the modern ones that people register and make as uniforms for their offices or sports teams. Fashion tartans usually have unique design patterns and colour combinations for modern looks.
Popular Tartan Options for Children’s Kilts
Remember every tartan that adults wear is suitable for kids too. Though mentioning all of them might not be possible, we will discuss a few very popular ones here.
Baby Royal Stewart Tartan
With a crisscross pattern of tiny blue, black, yellow, and white lines, the Baby Royal Stewart tartan has a vivid red foundation. Often used for infant kilts and other clothing, this traditional Scottish tartan represents Scottish ancestry and tradition. Red, the primary colour, gives the pattern a great visual effect and makes it powerful and striking.
Baby Black Watch Tartan
The Black Watch tartan is a universal pattern which is equally popular in kids and adults. Its patterns comprise intersecting lines in dark blue, green, and black, offering a unique look in the way that the primary background is dark blue and green. The black accents also add a bold contrast to the pattern.
Kids Traditional Mackenzie Tartan
Mackenzie tartan carries a deep green base representing Scottish landscapes. The design is very grid-like, with bold stripes and it is woven in blue squares for a unique combination. It also has red stripes that provide a hint of bravery or blood. Moreover, the white lines ensure a pure nature. The tartan belongs to Seaforth Highlanders who wore its multiple versions and it is traditionally linked to the regiment unit.
Children Scottish National Tartan
Every parent wants his child to be a patriot and to raise the spirit in their kids’ hearts, they buy them Scottish National Tartan kilts. This pattern has many colours including green, blue, black, red, and white. These shades collectively reveal the climates and nature of Scots. Besides the climate, these colours represent heritage, clan loyalty, and Scottish identity.
Handmade Camel Thomson Tartan
The Thompson Camel tartan, often referred to as Thomson Camel Modern, is a particular tartan design connected to the Scottish Thomson clan. With red stripes as an accent, it has a camel-coloured basis with a noticeable black-and-white check pattern. Although the tartan was created recently for Lord Thomson of Fleet, it still represents the history and legacy of the Thomson clan.
Material and Fabric Options for Children’s Kilts
Regarding the material and fabric options, there are many things to consider. Though kids prefer playing all the time, buying a durable fabric might be the top consideration. Similarly, many other fabrics make tartan that parents can also consider for their kids.
Wool Tartan: Wool is the most traditional, in fact, the first fabric used to make children tartan kilts. This material is pretty comfortable but might be less durable for kids because they play, fall, and can scratch the kilts.
Polyester Blends: A modern fabric for making tartan is poly-viscose or blended with wool. The fabric is budget-friendly and requires less care than the original woolen tartan kilts. Above all, their construction with synthetic material clarifies they are more durable, making them suitable for kids.
Lightweight Tartans: Children are usually weather-sensitive and cannot bear extreme conditions, especially the hot climates. For such a season, parents should consider buying lightweight tartans because they offer more breathability than those made with heavy material.
Customisation Options for Kids’ Tartan Kilts
As everyone knows children’s tartan kilts require careful customisation to be strong and long-lasting. Kids usually do not care about their attire while playing games, so customisation of kilts accordingly becomes more important. The customisation makes kilts more comfortable, versatile, and resistant to wear from vigorous play or development.
- Use poly-viscose fabric as it is washable, long-lasting, and resistant to wrinkles.
- As the waist of the child grows, add adjustable waistbands with Velcro or elastic.
- Double stitching strengthens the structure and keeps the fabric from tearing when used roughly or actively. So, ask your kilt-maker to ensure this step.
- Check to make sure the children’s kilts have growing pleats. As the kid grows, the kilt is simple to resize thanks to the hidden fabric.
Extraordinary Tartan Kilts to Children
Where to Buy Children’s Kilts with Different Tartans
Now that you know about different tartan options available for children’s kilts, the fabrics used in their construction, and what customisation you can adopt. It’s time to be practical and purchase tartan kilts for your kids. So, you must opt for a store that offers excellent-quality kilts made by experienced artisans. Thus, UtilityKilt UK is the most trusted and reliable brand for buying durable kilts for kids, adults, and even women. If you have a query in your mind regarding tartan, customisation, or sizing, do not hesitate to consult our team via email, chatbox, or +441613991718.
Answering Your Top Questions About Children’s Tartan Kilts
Can children wear tartans that don’t match their family clan?
Yes, children can wear any tartan, even if it doesn’t match their family’s traditional pattern. Undoubtedly, tartans have clan affiliation but there are no strict rules for wearing other tribe’s tartans.
Are there specific tartans for toddlers?
No toddlers do not have tartans specifically designed for them. However, some customisations in the fabric quality and kilt’s attributes are possible to make for the ease of babies.
What colours are safest for children’s kilts to avoid visible stains?
Though all tartan colours have the potential to get stains, a few of them such as bright, high-contrast tartans are less efficient in hiding stains. We can say earthy, subdued tones like faded blues, browns, and muted greens safe enough to avoid stains to a particular level.
What are the typical price ranges for children’s tartan kilts?
All stores have different criteria for the price range of kid’s tartan kilts. Normally, they range from £25.00 to £40.00.
