Wear of Clan Tartan by non-Clan Members

[dea3369]

First, apologies if this topic should be in a different forum. If so, please let me know to where it should be moved.

Second, what is the rabble's understanding of the wearing of a clan's tartan? Specifically, aren't there rules that state only the members of that clan may wear that tartan?

I know about universal tartans and how anybody can wear them. Given that, I thought that unless a tartan was/is considered universal, the wearer must have a connection to that clan. Otherwise, it's not proper. Right?

[RockyR]

You're going to get replies that span the range from "Only clan members should wear a clan tartan" to "I wear any clan tartan I have a loose affiliation with" to "wear whatever you please".

There are conventions, but no actual rules or laws.

As for me, I'm keeping out of this one. I'm mostly German... what do I know.

[creagdhubh]

You're going to get replies that span the range from "Only clan members should wear a clan tartan" to "I wear any clan tartan I have a loose affiliation with" to "wear whatever you please".

There are conventions, but no actual rules or laws.

***

As for me, I'm keeping out of this one. I'm mostly German... what do I know.

Hahahahaha!

[David Thorpe]

I will offer one of those opinions which Jock mentioned. Wearing the tartan of a clan with which one has no affiliation is not a hanging offense. It is not illegal at all. However, the matters of propriety and good taste are quite apart from legality.

Should you wear the tartan and be asked by someone who recognizes it about your affiliation with the clan, how will you answer without causing embarrassment to yourself or to the questioner? If you have a suitable reason, or if respect is simply of no consequence to you, then there is no need to be concerned about it. The inquirer is not likely to pursue further conversation.

[Tobus]

There are conventions, but no actual rules or laws.

Yup, this is it. Though I would go a bit further and say it's more than convention. It sort of comes down to etiquette and manners. Just as wearing a Masonic ring would be unmannerly if you're not a Mason. Humans use clothing as symbols of who they are, and that's exactly what a clan tartan has been for about two centuries now, more or less. Even using a meaningless symbol like a Harley-Davidson logo on a t-shirt identifies you to others as someone who owns a Harley. If you display a symbol that has meaning to a group, you are (intentionally or not) telling others you're a part of that group. If it turns out that you're not a part of that group, some people take it as a breach of convention or a breach of etiquette.

The origin of "clan tartans" was a bit dubious, and obviously contrived, but it nonetheless exists today and has a fairly long tradition. You may wear whatever tartan you choose, but some will frown on it. You may not know they're frowning, or you may not care even if you did know. Make your choice based on whether it bothers you that others will be bothered by it. If you find that you don't care what they think, then wear whatever you like. No one will arrest you for it.

[Meggers]

The others pretty much answered it as best as anyone can. I, personally, am not fond of wearing a clans tartan that I have no affiliation with and wouldnt do it because it wouldnt feel authentic. However, that is my own personal opinion. Others may feel fine doing so.

[Meggers]

I will offer one of those opinions which Jock mentioned. Wearing the tartan of a clan with which one has no affiliation is not a hanging offense. It is not illegal at all. However, the matters of propriety and good taste are quite apart from legality.

Should you wear the tartan and be asked by someone who recognizes it about your affiliation with the clan, how will you answer without causing embarrassment to yourself or to the questioner? If you have a suitable reason, or if respect is simply of no consequence to you, then there is no need to be concerned about it. The inquirer is not likely to pursue further conversation.

***

Thats exactly where I would feel uncomfortable. If you are married to a member of the clan, no problem. If you were adopted by members of the clan, no problem. There are many ways that someone who isnt an official clan member could really pull it off and have it be very meaningful and authentic and no one would dare argue. The other thing to note is that there are many tartans out there that have no clan affiliation and can be worn by anyone, Scottish or not. I'd grab one of those before I would grab at a clan tartan that I am not connected to, just to save myself the embarassment of having to explain to other people that I am just wearing it because I feel like it.

Theres also something special about wearing something that is a little piece of yourself. My tartan that I have is Co. Derry from Ireland and, while I've never been to Northern Ireland and certainly never stepped a toe in Derry, I wear it with pride because it's a piece of me. I know that when I am with other kilted individuals, theirs somehow reflects them and mine reflects me. It is as though it's a badge of pride to wear something that is yours. Even people with no Scottish heritage can find that connection to a tartan, whether it's a religious tartan, a club tartan, a military tartan, etc. There are even tartans for other countries that they might want to wear and can wear that with ownership and pride.

Just my 0.02 for what it's worth. Sorry for the ramble.

[English Bloke]

... or if respect is simply of no consequence to you...

Ooooohhh!

David... Mate... Thanks for being so straight to the point.

I wear a number of different tartans from a number of different clans, some of which I have connection to and some I have no connection to at all. I also wear some district tartans as well as universals (some of which are also clan tartans by the way).

I have a good understanding of all of the tartans I wear and if called upon, I can give a clear account of not just the tartan but also the clan and it's history.

I can also explain the history and origins of tartan in general and why certain clans wear the tartans they do. I can literally "bore" for Britain on matters tartan. Most people who have pursued this avenue of question with me have usually glazed over after quarter of an hour, then made their excuses and moved away. I have spent a great deal of time studying it and it shows.

I never mix tartans and I always dress appropriate to the occasion. I have invested not inconsiderable expense in ensuring that I can turn out properly attired to all levels of function with the exception of white tie (although my chances of being invited to one of those or even accepting the invitation are slim to never). I may dress casually most of the time but that's 'cause I'm a casual kind of chap. But even when doing so, I never sport the Kilt in a sloppy manner.

Were I to venture into the Scottish Highlands where tradition is considerably stronger than it is in my neck of the Englandshire woods. And were I brave enough to even put a Kilt on up there, I would only wear the tartan to which my Family has a direct connection, for exactly the reasons stated in David's post above.

As I see it, I wear all my Kilts respectfully. I believe anyone can wear any tartan they choose, provided they also treat the tartan AND the Kilt with respect. If in the pursuit of this line, the choice that individual makes is to only wear one tartan or a selection of tartans from one clan, then that's absolutely fine. If like me, they choose a tartan they like or an assortment of tartans, that too is fine (with me at least, I'm not one to judge a persons moral standing by the clothes they choose to wear, or NOT wear).

Of course my approach could be construed as not respectful at all. Again we are free to think what we will. You pays your money, you makes your choice. I will probably burn in the fires of Hell for this ethos but I'll take my chances for now. I'm not breaking any laws, not where I live anyway.

By the way... there has been lots of discussion on this topic here previously. Use the search feature to pull out some older threads if you fancy an interesting wander through the XMarks archive and see what others have said on the matter...

[McClef]

I wonder how many times this topic has now done the rounds!

[RockyR]

Yup, this is it. Though I would go a bit further and say it's more than convention. It sort of comes down to etiquette and manners. Just as wearing a Masonic ring would be unmannerly if you're not a Mason. Humans use clothing as symbols of who they are, and that's exactly what a clan tartan has been for about two centuries now, more or less. Even using a meaningless symbol like a Harley-Davidson logo on a t-shirt identifies you to others as someone who owns a Harley. If you display a symbol that has meaning to a group, you are (intentionally or not) telling others you're a part of that group. If it turns out that you're not a part of that group, some people take it as a breach of convention or a breach of etiquette.

I think the Harley example is a bit off... as a teen, I wore many harley shirts and never owned one. I simply liked the bikes and supported "team harley" over "team honda".

If you continue down this road / line of thinking, you arrive at the sports team metaphor. If I wear a Philadelphia Flyers jersey, will people think I'm on their roster or work in the Flyers front office? No, but I support the team. Will they be disappointed or upset to learn I'm not on the team? Likely not.

To me, the example of the Masonic ring is a bit off as well as it's something you EARN, not something you're BORN into. Many people feel a stronger protection of the Military tartans ("shouldn't wear one unless you served") as military service and the right to wear uniform / medals / etc is earned through service to one's country.

There's also those who are HAPPY that others think highly enough of their clan tartan to wear it even if they're not a member of that clan. I was wearing my Buchanan Weathered tartan at a festival and was approached by members of the Clan Buchanan society. After a 10 minute discussion on all things tartan, they think it's great that I think highly enough of their tartan to wear it and have told me so in so many words. 6 years, several shared beers and many meetings (and kilts made for them later), we have lifelong customers and friends.

Just my $.02.