Can I wear Wallace?

[David Thornton]

I know that this is another question that will draw vastly different opinions, but I'm asking anyway. And, please humor me with an answer.
I have just found the tartan I was searching for was actually Wallace. I have no connection to the name that I know of. I know a bit of the history of the name. Is this enough to wear the tartan? Will I offend anyone within that clan?
On a similar note, why are there so many tartans with the same name & completly different colors. I understand modern, old, ancient, weathered etc. But many times one can find 5-10 different sahed of the same color in an identically named tartan. Whats up?
Thanks again
David Thornton

admin is there a spelll check hear that I'm missing?

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Yes you can wear Wallace.
You can even join the Wallace Clan if you choose.
Membership is open to "The Clan Wallace Society represents all Scots of any clan and all others who wish they were Scots":mrgreen:

http://www.clanwallace.org/

ps if you are interested in joining pm or email me and I can give you
the dirt. It would be a "thrifty" move do join soon.
Membership is going to an annual amount.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

There is no rule of law regarding which tartan one may wear. You can wear any tartan under the sun. Now, there are rules of fashion and good taste. For instance, the Royal Family has chosen to restrict the Balmoral tartan to their own use. If I wanted to wear the Balmoral tartan, there is nothing anyone could really do about it other than complain loudly, but it would be considered very rude and not good form.

So the question you have, then, is would it be considered rude for you to wear the tartan of a clan you are not affiliated with. While you may have some individuals complain, by and large this is not a problem. Most of the time members of a clan feel honored when someone else chooses to identify with their clan by wearing the tartan.

Keep that in mind -- when you wear a tartan, you are associating yourself with what that tartan represents. While most people will wear the Wallace tartan because they have some connection with the Wallace family, others may choose to wear that tartan out of respect for a great hero, such as William Wallace, or maybe you had a Wallace that served as a great influence in your life (a mentor, teacher, friend, etc) that you wish to honor. The point is, the choice of what tartan you wear, and why you wear that tartan, is entirely up to you.

No one is going to require a documented pedigree for you to wear a tartan.

Aye,
Matt Newsome