Wearing another clans Tartan?

[TheOfficialBren]

The short of it:
Tartans were mostly invented in the 1800s by weavers trying to sell their products during the "tartan craze" from the late Georgian period (early 1800s) lasting right through the Victorian period (1800s-1901).
Tartans were arbitrarily assigned in many cases and were often not "official." the tradition grew oit of that trend (sorry, but it WAS a trend).

Now, tartans are symbolic more than historical (with a few exceptions, a couple are do indeed have historical precedence).

"Fashion" or "Universal" tartans are a mdern extension of this older craze, perhaps the reincarnation of it.

Personally, I wouldn't wear another clan's tartan except under special circumstances.

I stick to Unversal tartans for variety and plan to get a Shaw tartan kilt for traditional purposes. Admittedly, though, two kilts are enough for me. I plan to pass on my acryllic Black Watch soon but I digress and ramble (apologies).

No hard, fast rule. Just sensitivity. I would advise to know some things about whichever clan tartan you wear. I personally don't get terribly offended when others wear our tartan...hell, it's rare enough that I'm just glad to see it! I do prefer that only members of the clan wear it, though.