Tartan may be a simple piece of fabric for many people, but it is a highly valuable part of Scottish culture. It is a woolen fabric with patterns. These patterns represent a specific clan there, and so they do for the Clan Buchanan, one of the oldest and most powerful tribes there. The vibrant or soft patterns of this tribe are more than ten and are widely worn in Scotland and many other countries. In this article, we are going to describe two of them: ancient and modern. Before representing their differences, let us see why the clan has this many patterns.
Why Do Buchanan Tartans Have Multiple Variants?
The development of various versions of the same tartan can largely be attributed to two factors: purpose and fashion. These influences also played a key role in the evolution of the Clan Buchanan tartan, which now has several different variations, including traditional, modern, weathered, and muted styles.
The fashion statement has always been inspiring people to create something new. Luckily, people now have permission to make their own patterns, which is why universal clans, including many Buchanan tartan patterns exist in many forms. Likewise, people living near the forests needed something muted for hunting, so they started making faded patterns, named hunting Buchanan tartan patterns. In short, this is how fashion and utility purposes result in the formation of different Buchanan tartan variants.
This guide is about exploring traditional vs. modern Buchanan tartan. So, this is crucial to understand them both before digging out the dissimilarities and choosing an ideal one.
What is a Traditional Buchanan Tartan?
The traditional Buchanan tartan, also known as an ancient pattern, is a set of light and soft colors that people wore in the beginning. A key feature of these patterns is having an association with ancient clans, while the primary shades are bright yellow, red, and green with black. All of these colors have a proper meaning explaining the past and nature of clan members.
What is a Modern Buchanan Tartan?
Regarding the modern Buchanan tartan patterns, they often feature vibrant shades representing the impact of modernism. Even though not connected with any clan, people wear them respectfully in the form of tartan kilts. Being universal, clans make them suitable for casual wear.
Traditional vs. Modern Buchanan Tartan
All variants of the Buchanan tartan differ from each other, while the core colors and the design remain the same. Regarding the ancient and the modern patterns, they also have some dissimilarities, from their color scheme to clan association and their availability in modern fashion.
Tartan Color Scheme
Traditional Buchanan Tartan: The traditional patterns of the Buchanan tartan have soft and muted colors such as vibrant red, yellow, and hunter green. All of them carry a message about the past of the clan and its role in shaping Scottish history.
Modern Buchanan Tartan: The primary colors of the modern patterns are the same, but they are brighter and more vibrant. Unlike the ancient ones, neither of them have specific meaning as they are worn fashionably, nor do they represent the clan.
Formality and Usage
Ancient Buchanan Tartan: Regarding the formality and use, the traditional patterns are more popular but less common. They are not for everyday wear, while people specifically wear them in formal settings such as clan gatherings and Highland games.
Modern Buchanan Tartan: On the other hand, the modern design of the Buchanan tartan is not formal clothing but can be worn casually as everyday wear. Moreover, the modern Buchanan tartan kilts are not specific to any event.
Material and Fabric Choices
Traditional Buchanan Tartan Patterns: We just mentioned that traditional Buchanan tartans are worn formally, so they are made with premium-quality wool. The higher the quality of materials, the better it will complement the outfit and culture.
Modern Buchanan Tartan Patterns: Because modern patterns are worn casually, they must be made with more durable fabric. So, some kilt makers also make them with synthetic materials such as polyviscose and blends for enhanced durability.
Availability in Modern Fashion
When we talk about the availability of the Buchanan tartan patterns in modern fashion, they exist widely, regardless of their variations. However, the traditional ones are less common as modern outfits, while contemporary designs are worn at every type of event, from semi-formal to casual ones.
Comparison Table
| Features | Traditional Buchanan Tartan | Modern Buchanan Tartan |
| Color Scheme | Soft, muted colors (red, yellow, green, black) | Bright, vibrant colors |
| Meaning | Colors have historical and clan-related meaning | Mostly decorative, no specific historical meaning |
| Clan Connection | Strongly connected to the Buchanan clan | Not tied to any clan but universal wear |
| Usage | Used for formal events like Highland games, clan gatherings | Used for casual and everyday wear |
| Fabric Material | Made with high-quality wool for a premium look | Often made with durable materials like polyviscose |
| Fashion Presence | Less common in modern fashion; more traditional | Widely available and popular in modern styles |
Kilt Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts
Do’s of Buchanan Tartan Kilts:
- Wear the right length and fit of Buchanan tartan kilts.
- Attach the accessories that match the formality of the event and the colors of the pattern.
- Wear the appropriate pattern depending on the settings.
- Prefer premium quality for formal occasions
- Buchanan tartan kilts are available for everyone, so buy a Buchanan Children Tartan Kilt for kids and a Women Buchanan Short Tartan Kilt for ladies.
Don’ts of The Buchanan Tartan Kilts
- Do not over-accessorize the kilt outfit when wearing Buchanan tartan.
- Ensure not to mix different tartans to avoid color clash.
- If wearing a Scottish hat, go for the Scottish Buchanan Tartan Cap rather than wearing something unique.
Explore Authentic Buchanan Kilts at Irish Kilt Shop
No matter whether you are wearing an ancient or modern Buchanan tartan kilt or any other clothing, the quality must be the priority. Irish Kilt Shop is known to offer hand-made, premium-quality tartan products at affordable prices. So, visit our online store today and buy an exceptional Clan Buchanan Plaid Tartan Fabric, kilt, or pair of trousers.
FAQs About Modern and Traditional Buchanan Tartan
What makes the Buchanan tartan stand out from other clan tartans?
The distinctive color combination of the Buchanan tartan, having soft and vibrant tones, makes it more popular than others.
Can I customize the length and pleating style of a modern kilt?
Yes, you can customize your modern kilt as you want it. Stores such as the Irish Kilt shop and Scottish Kilt Co. offer excellent customization services to avoid further alterations.
What footwear goes best with a modern Buchanan kilt?
The selection of the right footwear to pair with a modern Buchanan tartan kilt depends on the event. If wearing it for a semi-formal event, prioritize Ghillie shoes or simple dress shoes. While the contemporary event demands something casual, such as sneakers or loafers.
How long does it take to have a custom kilt made?
The manufacturing time of a customized kilt is about a day, while the delivery process can be time-consuming. If you are buying from the store nearby in your town, you will get it in a couple of days.
Do Buchanan kilts come in utility or cargo kilt styles?
Yes, Buchanan kilts are available in utility and cargo styles. The traditional pattern may be difficult to get in this form, while a Modern Buchanan Tartan Utility Kilt has everything that favors utility purposes.
