Tartan Police!

[James]

All too often I read of the dreaded Tartan Police, who say which tartan an individual has the right to wear.

Then I'll read that the experts say it is OK to wear any tartan,. and there are no rules-so wear what you like and ignore what misguided people might say-for the experts have spoken.

Sadly this is akin to the British constitution-many people think there is a constitution-there is not. Rather there is a complex web of 'understandings' that have been built up over the years: common law rather than statute law.

It is the same with tartans: the experts might claim one thing, but underlying that there is a whole raft of unwritten 'understandings' as to which tartan an individual might wear. Now pople might be polite to a wearers face, but they could be thinking something very uncomplimentary about the visitors choice of tartan.

So unless one has a very clear claim to this or that tartan it is better to play safe: here the many district tartans and others that are not affiliated to a regiment or clan offer a safe alternative.

[Yaish]

If you're going to wear the kilt in the first place, I'd be surprised if you were overly concerned what small minded people thought in private about it.

[bear]

James,
I'm afraid I believe the exact opposite and that Yaish has it right.
I personally don't care to associate with anyone who would say one thing to my face and another behind my back. I honestly don't care what these people think of me.
I'm off to start a post about the porigins of tartans that should prove to be a doozy!

[Archangel]

still looking for that post on the porridge of tartans....

[Riverkilt]

I have a standard two word response to the self-appointed Tartan Police and their unsolicited opinions.

I do honor the historians of our addiction.

Ron

[An t-Ileach]

I think that we need to be a little relaxed about this matter, it's true. On the other hand, just as we tend to take exception to the idea that any old unbifurcated garment is a kilt, and insist on the concept of a "kilt" conforming to certain minimum norms, so too I believe with tartans.

As James has said, there are plenty of area tartans, national tartans, and so on to wear - and the Government Tartan, I think, comes under this heading.

But for whatever reason, certain setts have become associated with the clans. I think that one needs to have at least some connection, no matter how strained, if it's only even a matter of aesthetics with the tartan of choice.

Surely to treat the clan tartan as a trivial thing is insulting to the people of that clan, and many have suffered terrible things for their clan affiliation. We should respect their memory through respecting their tartan.

I actually don't mind people wearing the various Clan Donald tartans, but I'd like them to be conscious of what they're wearing, and know something about the Lordship of the Isles, and maybe a bit about famous Macdonalds (more than, say, the fast-food joint) such as Sir John A. Macdonald, the Great Canadian.

[Nick]

Sure there are district/area/etc tartans, but I don't have a drop of Scottish blood in me, as far as I know. So there are those people who would deny me the kilt.

When I get my first traditional kilt, I know what tartan it will be in, what family, and that family's history. I will also know exactly why I chose it, and it wasn't for the nice colors. I respect the tartan and the family, but I have not the blood. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but it's the best I can do.

[Jerry]

I repeat, when I purchased my first kilt I took the trouble to email several clan associations and "ask about wearing their tartan" . The two tartans I currently own, Macneil and Gordon, are two to which I do have a connection, but both clan associations said I could have chosen to wear their clan tartan even if I didn't have that connection. So, if you are unsure and want to do things the right way, ask first.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... So unless one has a very clear claim to this or that tartan it is better to play safe: here the many district tartans and others that are not affiliated to a regiment or clan offer a safe alternative.

Sadly, many are not generally available or are a special weave and very expensive. Thats what I discovered a while back while looking at some of the many Canadian regional tartans. :-(

"If you weave it, they will buy.", (to borrow a phrase) doesn't necessarily apply worsted wool. The mills will weave what sells.

blu

[macwilkin]

Sadly, many are not generally available or are a special weave and very expensive. Thats what I discovered a while back while looking at some of the many Canadian regional tartans. :-(

"If you weave it, they will buy.", (to borrow a phrase) doesn't necessarily apply worsted wool. The mills will weave what sells.

blu

Always check with Matt, Blu...it is amazing what he can find with his sources!

T.