Collections?

[furrycelt]

So I seem to be hearing a consensus that, in America at least, if you like the pretty pattern on the cloth, it's acceptable to wear it, even if you can't document a link to the 'rightful' owners?

oh no, no there is NOT a consensus on that issue. and i will just leave it at that.

[auld argonian]

So I seem to be hearing a consensus that, in America at least, if you like the pretty pattern on the cloth, it's acceptable to wear it, even if you can't document a link to the 'rightful' owners?

Depends on what "rightful owner" means...there is no little discussion on that point. I see a lot of what I would personally consider "tenuous" associations with various clans being made in order to justify ownership of a kilt in that tartan. Granted that a lot of people can plot out their family tree unto the seventh generation and that they do have various clans folded into their lineage...I just don't think that I, personally, am any more justified in wearing a specific tartan because my great grandfather to the fifth power was a MacBeth than I am in just respectfully and mindful-of-the-history-ly wearing a tartan that I find interesting and attractive.

I don't know if I've ever heard of a kiltmaker asking for a certificate of clan membership from someone ordering a kilt...boy, that would make life interesting, wouldn't it? I have heard of tartans that are specifically reserved for clan members and that are supposed to be worn only with the permission of the clan chief but I believe that that is only a very small percentage of the available tartans.

I've also read of bizarre confrontations at Highland Games where some self-appointed kilt regulator starts giving some innocent kilt wearer guff for wearing "his" tartan. Oh well. Not having served in the military, I personally won't wear any of the military tartans...I certainly respect service members and veterans but I feel that it's their honor to wear those tartans.

So one can certainly try to find associations that tie him to a tartan and buy accordingly...or not. The consensus that I've seen expressed on the forum is that one can wear any tartan but should understand the history and wear it respectfully.

You can always get solid colors or tweed if you don't feel that tartan is appropriate.

Best

AA

[thescot]

Furry friend.

The real bottom line (it's my bottom line, so it must be the real one ) is that in the US or anywhere else on God's green earth you can wear any tartan you like. I have always chosen tartans that mean something to me (Robertson (3 in modern, weathered, and red) for the bloodline, Gordon for the same reason, and a recently purchased Leatherneck wool (ooh-rah, Semper Fi, pray for war, etc.) for obvious reasons.

I do have future plans for such tartans as the Isle of Skye and/or the County Down or county Armagh or both just because I like 'em! So, do what you like, express yourself, have fun, and wear the kilt proudly.

The girls will love you for it no matter what tartan you wear. And if you make up some romantic story about the choice of tartan (your grandfather sailed with John Paul Jones or something), so much the better!

[furrycelt]

Furry friend.

The real bottom line...

i think you meant to address this to Mr. MacDougall. i never gave my opinion on the matter. all i did do was comment on the population of kilt wearers as a whole. and said comment implied there is disagreement on the matter.

has it happens my opinion on the issue is rather lukewarm. i disagree with the "Tartan Police", and at the same time i disagree their antithesis, saying "where what you like, for any reason you like."

[MacWage]

My collection (in order of completion):

-Blackwatch "crap kilt" (no longer worn and NOT worthy to be spelled the same as the military unit)

Finished or in process (made by me)
-Black Watch (worthy of correct spelling) 5 yard knife
-"Jedi" tartan box
-Green Stewart (almost finished since last summer) box, cheap fabric
-Caledonia, F&K 13 oz box
-Carolina, Lochcarron 16 oz box
-X Marks, F&K 14 oz box
-MacNeil, Lochcarron 16 oz box (in process)

Fabric on hand, not yet started:
-Wallace, Lochcarron 14 oz Box
-USA Bicentennial, Lochcarron 16 oz box
-Caledonia, F&K 13 oz box

Fabric on order:
-X Marks, 16 oz box

OTHER (& non-worsted wool) kilt material on hand:
-Wallace wool
-Warrior PV
-Gordon PV
-Gray/Orange plaid wool
-Black Watch (other half of initial hand-made kilt)

Fabric on hand, Maybe used for kilt:
-Dress Gordon (light weight)
-Black Watch (Light weight)

On Wish List (heaviest weight can get):
-Wison, ancient
-Clergy (Lochcarron dark 16 oz)
-Culloden (MacBubba)
-MacLeod of Lewis/Loud MacLeod
-Gordon, modern
-Gunn, modern
-Isle of Skye
-MX-5 Owners Club (might have to be a custom)
-Douglas, modern (as a mark to the Cameronians/Covenanters)

Custom:
-Erskine College (Erskine done in garnet and yellow)
-Wages (custom family run by me and some cousins)

On tartans and "entitlement"/"openess" on wearing them:
ALL of the above have a SPECIFIC reason for me to wear them. There are SO many tartans I like that I have ties to, that there is not much reason for me to get ones I don't.

I think of tartans like "team colors" (as I've said before). Each one has its own meaning and associations. To wear it is to associate yourself with what it means. I like the Leatherneck tartan, but as I have no good ties or "reasons" to wear it, I do not out of respect for the USMC and the Marines themselves.
I will NEVER wear a New York Mets or LA Dodgers stuff, because I am a Braves fan and they are the ARCH-ENEMY (one past and one present). In fact, the ONLY New York sports team I will ANYTHING bearing mainly their logo is: New York Knights (from the movie, "The Natural").
Some tartans I would NOT wear either out of respect for what they mean and others BECAUSE of their association.
Other tartans I LIKE/LOVE and want because of their beauty and am glad to have a real, or at the least a reasonable, connection.
Some have a VERY MEANINGFUL symbology to me and I am fortunate that they are also some of the "best looking" tartans of all (Wallace, MacNeil, Carolina, Caledonia) and one that is one of the uglier tartans, but want because of the connection (Wilson).

[Mr. MacDougall]

-"Jedi" tartan box

Okay, I'll bite... Jedi tartan?

[brandycr]

For those Star Wars conventions luke i am your kilted cousin!

[auld argonian]

Hey...I'm still looking for a Nac MacFeegal tartan so's I can make a great kilt out of that!

http://www.paulkidby.com/feegles/index.html

Best

AA

[Rigged]

I wear kilts almost daily (except at work where I have to wear a uniform while on duty).

I've been holding at 11 kilts (while I decide on what the next will be).

7 Utilikilts - 3 Workmans (khaki, black, caramel), 2 Original (tan and urban camo), 1 black Mocker, 1 original black Leather
1 Bear Kilt - Hunting Stewart tartan
1 Pittsburgh Kilt - Flannel-lined blue denim
2 Stillwater Standard Kilts - Black Stewart and Nightstalker tartans

Unlike jeans (and other trousers) kilts don't have knees or crotches to wear out. After seven years of heavy wear, my first kilt (black UK Workmans) is only showing some wear on some of the belt loops.

[furrycelt]

... and one that is one of the uglier tartans, but want because of the connection (Wilson).

ok, as a Wilson, i must step up and voice my opinion about this statement. are you actually saying that the Wilson tartan is ugly? it only has four colors: red, blue, green, white. those are fine. the sett isn't all that complex. ugly eh?

well...

you are right. it is ugly; fugly even. and i can't figure out why either. i have a scarf and a tie that are of the Wilson tartan. got them for Christmas one year. my first thought upon seeing Wilson Tartan with my own eyes: Eeewww Wweee, that is ugly. but i don't know why! i did some research. the official colors of the sett are red, blue, green, and white. but the blue comes out purple, and the red comes out orange. and the green comes out weak. ...blech.

oh well. at least it isn't Dress McLeod.