Not every bloke chooses to wear a family tartan on his big day. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the groom’s tartan to be chosen by the bride to colour coordinate with the rest of the bridal party! We’re imagining chic midnight blue, delicate duck egg or bold scarlet would be good accompaniments for the new Help for Heroes tartan that’s available to hire from July 2012.Designed by the renowned Edinburgh firm of military tailors GB Tailoring, whose founders are both ex-servicemen with sons in the armed services, the official Help for Heroes tartan uses the colours from the charity’s famous logo as its inspiration. “The designers have worked closely with Scotland’s finest weavers, Lochcarron, to create a distinctive and attractive modern tartan that offers something a bit different from the traditional plaids,” explains Richard Freedman, MD of ACS Clothing which is the world’s largest kilt hire supplier.
It’s a good-looking tartan, that’s for sure, but its checks have more of a conscience than your average plaid as each time someone hires a kilt or trousers in the tartan, Britain’s wounded servicemen will receive a fundraising boost. ACS has teamed up with some of the UK’s best-known high street brands – Youngs Hire at Debenhams and Suit Direct, Burton, Slaters and Greenwoods have signed up to the scheme in addition to the independent networks of Cameron Ross and Ultimate Formal Hire – to ensure that a donation of £4 goes straight to Help for Heroes with every rental of the charity’s official new tartan. This wide-ranging partnership means you can find the tartan at over 1000 outlets across the UK.
“We’re tremendously honoured to be able to play a part in providing wounded servicemen and women with the support they need. Given the sacrifices these brave people have made on our behalf, coming up with a way that both honours their contribution and provides help in a very practical way was the very least we could do,” says Richard.
Help for Heroes tartan will be available to hire from July 2012. Outfit picturedto hire from Slaters.