Which tartan to ware?

[AppStateScot]

I am new to this group and also new to wearing a kilt although I have wanted to ware one since I was fifteen and am now forty-two. Better late than never I guess. I still have not worked up the courage to ware my new non-traditional Utilikilt full time but then again I have only had it one week. My question to the group, is it improper to ware another clan’s tartan or should I only ware my own clans? I ask because my great grandfather was a Brebner from Scotland and Brebner is a sept of Farquharson so I guess I am too. I want to get a traditional kilt and was looking for some advise.

[flyv65]

The short answer is...no. It is not going to land you in jail if you wear another clan's "tartan", although you might twist somebody's hypersensitive panties into a bunch, someplace years down the road. There is a wonderful write-up on tartan "ownership" on Mat Newsome's website: check out albanach.org and look for the articles section, as well as his blog. Wear the tartan of your choosing with respect and pride, and you'll have no problems. By the way, welcome aboard! You're gonna love the kilt.

Bryan...better late than never...

[macwilkin]

...I ask because my great grandfather was a Brebner from Scotland and Brebner is a sept of Farquharson so I guess I am too. I want to get a traditional kilt and was looking for some advice.

Sounds like you just found your tartan, then! :mrgreen:

Don't forget the district tartan option, though...if you know where you great-grandfather was from Scotland, you could always wear the tartan of city/district. Since you're from North Carolina, there is always the option of the Carolina District tartan:

http://www.district-tartans.com/carolina.htm

http://kilts.albanach.org/100_3526.JPG

Cheers,

Todd

[davedove]

I think the general advice you'll get here is to wear the tartan you like, but know the tartan you wear. That being said, if you want to have some ties to the tartan, you probably have many. Aside from your great-grandfather, look to the rest of your family history and you will probably find other family names which have a tartan (not necessarily Scottish), especially if your family comes from North Carolina, which has a large Scottish descended population. Then, aside from family tartans, there are state tartans, national tartans, military tartans, and a number of general use tartans. I think you'll probably find that you have so many tartans available with which you have a connection that you'll have a hard time making a choice.

[auld argonian]

Sound advice so far...may I add the possibility of wearing a "universal" tartan. There are several tartans that are considered fair game for anyone interested in them and they seem to be somewhat more available (and less expensive) than the "specialized" tartans. If you want to get a tartan kilt that's a sort of a "starter" kilt, there are several choices: Stillwater, USA Kilts, Bear Kilts, etc. I first got a Nightstalker Standard from Stillwater and then a Casual in Hunting Stewart from USA...both are considered sort of general tartans. Thus far my limited research into the Scottish side of my family indivates that I could wear Ayrshire or Boyd...but to get a kilt in either would entail having a "custom" kilt made (several hundred dollars).

There's a running discussion in the forum about the idea that a tartan kilt is more easily recognized as a kilt than one of the solid colored utili-kilt type kilts...while we sort of say "kilts is kilts", the general public seems to see the tartan ones as the "true" kilt of the Scottish variety.

The tartan selector section of the Kilt Store website gives a list of univeral tartans...check that out for possibilities...but as the previous posts point out, you are free to wear what you want.

Best

AA

[NewKilt]

Originally posted by davedove
I think the general advice you'll get here is to wear the tartan you like, but know the tartan you wear.

I agree with davedove. If you want to wear a tartan to which you have no ties, learn about the history of that clan/tartan. It's educational, and at the same time you wind up with a tartan that you really like.

Also, welcome to Xmarks! The best way to develop the courage to wear your Utilikilt full-time is to just do it. I think in most cases you will be pleasantly surprised, and the more you wear it, the more confidence you will develop. If you decide to wear a kilt full-time, it eventually becomes second natured - you don't even give a thought to the fact that you are wearing a kilt in public.

Darrell

[GMan]

Welcome!

Indeed you have already been given some sound advice, so I will not elaborate.

Again welcome!

[Southern Breeze]

Welcome aboard! You've gotten good advice so far. This is THE place to ask all kilt related questions.

[GlassMan]

I agree, learn something about the history of a tartan if you aren't of that clan. But I see no reason not to wear it.

[Sherry]

I am new to this group and also new to wearing a kilt although I have wanted to ware one since I was fifteen and am now forty-two. Better late than never I guess. I still have not worked up the courage to ware my new non-traditional Utilikilt full time but then again I have only had it one week. My question to the group, is it improper to ware another clan’s tartan or should I only ware my own clans? I ask because my great grandfather was a Brebner from Scotland and Brebner is a sept of Farquharson so I guess I am too. I want to get a traditional kilt and was looking for some advise.

Welcome to the board. You definitely get great advice here, & I would only add that the tartan to which you have a connection may have the most meaning to you. But again, that is a personal thing as well, & no one can tell you how to feel about a certain tartan. So just use the one or ones that make(s) you happy.