What Kilt to Wear??

[Macman]

I have to admit, I feel a little odd wearing something not of my last name unless it's a location tartan (like Texas Bluebonnet).

This is what I choose for myself as well. I have many other clan names in my family tree, but I choose to wear only my own clan tartan, as well as area tartans. I won't wear other clans' tartans.
That said, I totally understand and respect anyone's choice to wear what they want for whatever reasons they want (including that they like the colours).

[Ian.MacAllan]

Bottom line is that you wear what you want . . .

A few clan chiefs have asked that the wearing of their dress tartans be restricted to members of their immediate families. To me (and many others) that is sufficient reason to want not to wear those tartans, but this is of course a matter of courtesy, not legislation.

.Edit 21Mar2008 The phrase "not legislatation" may be incorrect. I have just discovered that the designers of the Special Forces tartan and of the Presbyterian tartan (Synod)(US) have restricted those tartans. There may well be other restricted tartans. I don't know the nature of the restrictions but more information may be available through http://store.clan.com/materialfinder...searchterm=U.S. Sorry for the error.

.

[Jock Scot]

Well alright here is a traditional Scot's view.First of all you need to understand that not all Scots own a kilt and many are not interested in even owning one,so we are probably talking about less,much less, than fifty percent of Scots who own a kilt.

For the ones that do own a kilt most,but not all,would own one, possibly two kilts and they would be of the same tartan.On the whole it is just not done to have more than one tartan and there are reasons for this, apart from a fairly recent tradition started about 150 years ago, and that is,cost,no interest in other tartans etc..There are exceptions that do not raise an eyebrow though and wearing a regimental tartan or a band tartan would be two examples.

Yes anyone can wear nearly any tartan they wish,but as I have already said, on the whole we Scots wear just the one.In the 9 months or so that I have been on this website I still cannot understand the need for more than one tartan and in the nicest possible way,I feel that the tartan kilt is cheapened by those who wear several different tartans.

Ok strong words from a traditionalist,but a traditional opinion was asked for and an honest traditional opinion has been given.Others will not agree with me and of course that is their absolute right so to do.

[ardchoille]

I have kilts in black watch, MacGregor, flower of Scotland, pride of Scotland, Rob Roy, and national millennium. I've been wearing kilts for years and have never had anyone ask me if I had a "right" to wear any tartan. There are no kilt police and I've never seen a "rule book". Wear what you like