Tartans other than your family?

[Ryan Ross]

A fair question and I expected it. To your list you could add, a dress tartan and a clan tartan in muted,weathered, ancient and modern colours. No it would not be "odd" or "bad form"----------------extravagant perhaps.

Some clans have one tartan, others several (for example Clan MacMillan has ancient, dress, and hunting tartans). In addition to different tartans, these may also be woven in any of three shades: modern, ancient (or old), and weathered. A clansman with deep pockets may elect to have have kilts made in each of his tartans, and in each of the three shades. For someone in my clan this would represent a total of nine kilts-- yikes!

Generally speaking many individuals who have more than one clan tartan to their name will choose one tartan as their "dress" tartan and an other for "everyday" wear. Even in situations where a clan possesses only one tartan it is not uncommon to see it worn in ancient or weathered colours during the day, and with modern colours in the evening.

So, would it be "bad form" to wear more than one of your clan tartans? Certainly not. But it could run to a fair degree of extravagance.

I see.

I have and wear a kilt in Ross(weathered), another in Ross Hunting(modern), and a third in a fancy tartan(modern). From what I've read, I'd perhaps be traditionally seen as extravagant, but not "a little off"? I just wanted to take the opportunity to confirm some traditional Scottish ideas on the wearing of multiple tartans, with an eye to what modern Scots' ethic tends to be.

Thank you very much for the input, gentlemen.