Wearing a tartan if not Celtic heritage

**2176agp** · 16th August 09, 12:43 PM

I'm sure this has been answer at least a jillion times, so here's a jillion plus 1.

Not being a Scot, I feel it is a privilege to wear a kilt. My wife and I talked about me getting a tartan one for dress wear. Because tartans are associated with families and I have no wish to offend -- I assume it wouldn't be polite to wear a particular clan's tartan when one is not of that family or heritage -- what could I wear?

Hope I'm asking this right.

Tony

**Kilted Rogue** · 16th August 09, 12:51 PM

I am in the same boat as you are. There are many Universal Tartans that you can wear. I would advise looking on one of our sponsors sites. This from USA Kilts web site.

Please Note: While there are no real rules about what tartans people are “entitled” to wear, if you are more comfortable wearing a “Universal Tartan” that was specifically designed for everyone, we’ve marked them with a ** beside the tartan names in the “Tartan Gallery”.
Credit to Rocky and USA kilts.

Look at his tartan gallery your will see many that you can may feel comfortable wearing. just look for the ** beside the name.

I have a feeling that was very wordy. I do apologize and will now stop talking err typing

**JRB** · 16th August 09, 01:09 PM

If you are uncomfortable about wearing a clan tartan, there are district tartans, universal tartans, fashion tartans, even some corporate tartans are available to you. You can browse through thousands here:
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/az.aspx

**2176agp** · 16th August 09, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

..there are district tartans, universal tartans, fashion tartans, even some corporate tartans are available to you.

Yay! Jay! Thanks a ton. I have lots of ideas now -- Canada, British Columbia, Orkney, ....

Tony

**Wompet** · 16th August 09, 02:49 PM

Don't forget PA!
We do have one of the better state tartans (although I may be a bit biased about that

)

**Chas** · 16th August 09, 03:43 PM

Tony, I would offer one piece of advice and it is this - find a connection to the tartan you choose. You can stretch the truth and twist it; you can be inventive and exaggerate, but what ever you do find that connection. One day someone will ask you why you are wearing 'that' tartan and you are going to have to look them in the eye and tell them. Even a very tenuous link is better than saying 'I just love the colours'. That would make you sound frivolous and foolish; a connection makes you sound serious and strong minded.

Just a thought.

Regards

Chas

**JRB** · 16th August 09, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Wompet

Don't forget PA!
We do have one of the better state tartans (although I may be a bit biased about that

)

Yes, the PA tartan is Beautiful.

**gilmore** · 16th August 09, 07:28 PM

Isle of Skye is indeed beautiful, but I don't wear it, not have any connection to that island.

**Jock Scot** · 18th August 09, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Isle of Skye is indeed beautiful, but I don't wear it, not have any connection to that island.

Gosh that is an interesting comment. I have not ever thought that the Isle of Skye tartan, a fashion tartan, would give the slant that you have put on it. Still, each to their own.