Tartan authority - what can I wear?

**creagdhubh** · 27th February 13, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

Tobus has hit the bullseye (again). Those who choose to wear a tartan solely out of a sense of fashion or personal taste miss out on the significance of wearing tartan. It has to do with pride, a sense of one's place in the world, one's birthright and more importantly, being a part of a community - your clan.

I am somewhat of a tartan addict. I have seen and admired many tartans that I would not wear myself, not because I don't like the color or pattern, but because they represent a group of people to which I do not belong. I do not find it the least bit uncomfortable to admire something and not possess it. Just because it isn't mine doesn't make it any less beautiful.

On the flip side, from a purely aesthetic perspective, my clan's tartans are not the very most beautiful ever designed or woven, but I would wear them even if they were dog-butt ugly (which they aren't).

My unsolicited advice is to put the horse back in front of the cart. You have already done some genealogical research. Contact the association(s) of the clan(s) that you have discovered in your background. Get to know some of your kinsfolk at some Highland Games or other gatherings. I am fairly confident that you will soon discover a much more meaningful reason for wearing a tartan than choosing one which happens to strike your fashion fancy.

Yep. What David said.

Cheers,

**Nile** · 27th February 13, 02:44 PM

As is evident from this discussion, we choose a tartan for a variety of reasons; family, historical and/or aesthetics. Family speaking, have you considered your mother's, your father's mother or even your wife's clan tartans? You could end up with many more choices and still have a kilt that's a connection to your family.

**Shedlock2000** · 27th February 13, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

Tobus has hit the bullseye (again). Those who choose to wear a tartan solely out of a sense of fashion or personal taste miss out on the significance of wearing tartan. It has to do with pride, a sense of one's place in the world, one's birthright and more importantly, being a part of a community - your clan.

I am somewhat of a tartan addict. I have seen and admired many tartans that I would not wear myself, not because I don't like the color or pattern, but because they represent a group of people to which I do not belong. I do not find it the least bit uncomfortable to admire something and not possess it. Just because it isn't mine doesn't make it any less beautiful.

On the flip side, from a purely aesthetic perspective, my clan's tartans are not the very most beautiful ever designed or woven, but I would wear them even if they were dog-butt ugly (which they aren't).

My unsolicited advice is to put the horse back in front of the cart. You have already done some genealogical research. Contact the association(s) of the clan(s) that you have discovered in your background. Get to know some of your kinsfolk at some Highland Games or other gatherings. I am fairly confident that you will soon discover a much more meaningful reason for wearing a tartan than choosing one which happens to strike your fashion fancy.

My choice to hunt down the family connection was instigated by a desire to meet with some of my kinsfolk - sadly, the border people tend, from what I have found out, to be difficult to track down when they are not clearly connected with a clan. I am unsure if this is because of our connection with the border reivers (a desire to stay anonymous!?). Either way, we tend not, from my experience to have much of a presence at events. That said, a new member has recently posted curious about a jacket to go with his Roxburgh red! It seems I only needed to join this site to discover more of us!

Recent news here, has made me aware of a possible Kerr connection, but when I contacted the Standing Council, though their website found a link, the e-mail I got back from them suggested there was non. Boo..... Nevertheless, I will look into it further - perhaps contact a clan association?

Either way, I think you are right - and I will probably make my next kilt the Roxburgh Green or Red weathered, or the Kerr hunting weathered - if we do indeed have a connection there. I think both of those tartans look very good in the weathered, and would retain that affinity I first felt with my district tartan (which I really enjoy for formal occasions due to its vivacity, but feel to be too bright for daily wear.....)

**David Thorpe** · 27th February 13, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Shedlock2000

My choice to hunt down the family connection was instigated by a desire to meet with some of my kinsfolk - sadly, the border people tend, from what I have found out, to be difficult to track down when they are not clearly connected with a clan. ...Either way, we tend not, from my experience to have much of a presence at events.

That has not been my experience here in the states. To bring a case to point, I was given the honor of judging the clan tents at last year's Indianapolis Games. Clan Kerr's tent won.

...my district tartan (which I really enjoy for formal occasions due to its vivacity, but feel to be too bright for daily wear.....)

I don't understand that distinction. I wear the (rather bright) MacTavish Modern/Thompson Red for any kilted occasion. The same thing applies to the much more subdued MacTavish/Thompson Hunting. MacLeods and Buchanans proudly wear tartans that make bumblebees look drab by comparison. Campbells wear the very dark Black Watch.
Again, it is about what the tartan means rather than the colors, pattern or brightness.

Best of luck to you on your journey of discovery. It's a grand ride indeed.

**Downunder Kilt** · 27th February 13, 05:42 PM

Spot on with your thoughts regarding the tartan David

**crash** · 27th February 13, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Why the aversion to these colours? What's not cool about them?

As one whose clan tartan is of the blue/green variety, it can actually get pretty boring. I sometimes wish my clan tartan were of the brighter red/green style. I guess we are just seeing it from opposite ends of the spectrum, in a "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" type mentality.

But I think a good bit of advice is to simply embrace the tartan with which you most closely identify, and don't be so particular on the colours. Tartan has way more meaning than the hues it contains.

The thing about our clan tartan Tobus is that there are so many similar tartans, like Graham and Campbell and others. I, like my dear Grandmother, am very fond of the ancient colours but I also like your kilt in the weathered colours. The modern colours can be, well...dark and not so exciting.lol I agree that a tartan with meaning is a great place to start.

**crash** · 27th February 13, 08:20 PM

Shedlock, Stewart Hunting is one of my favorites and my next kilt will be either ancient or weathered. By the way you really need to see the Maple Leaf tartan as a kilt in person or a very good photo to appreciate it's beauty. Another one on my short list. SWMBO is going to smother me in my sleep with one of them one of these days. lol

**Shedlock2000** · 28th February 13, 12:23 AM

Oddly enough, Crash, I came across a weathered hunting stewar the other day - it might have been the green now I come to think of it - and I was quite taken myself! I think I might look into it as I guess a number of mills might keep that stock.

Originally Posted by crash

Shedlock, Stewart Hunting is one of my favorites and my next kilt will be either ancient or weathered. By the way you really need to see the Maple Leaf tartan as a kilt in person or a very good photo to appreciate it's beauty. Another one on my short list. SWMBO is going to smother me in my sleep with one of them one of these days. lol

**creagdhubh** · 28th February 13, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by David Thorpe

It's a grand ride indeed.

Yes, it is.

**McElmurry** · 28th February 13, 08:16 AM

I am not really a joiner, wanted a kilt to hike in, and didn't want a red kilt. I am now a life member of Clan Morrison Society NA and am perfectly comfortable in my red (claret) tank. Not quite sure how that happened but there it is. Perhaps in some cases the tartan chooses the man.