Allowed tartans

[O'Cathain]

No one wears tartan for no reason, unless it is a flannel shirt. To most, "I like the colors" is a laughable and idiotic answer. The clan would be offended at that.

I usually don't put in my 2 cents, but after reading through this post and coming to this statement, I felt I had to. Most people who are not of Scottish origins choose the tartan they wear by color first and then the symbolism, honour or history behind it. How many people go to a website and look at the tartan colors and then the clan assosiated with it. For instance I like the Buchanan Tartan colors and decide to purchase a kilt. I have no Scottish ancestory, that I know of, but I lived in Pennsylvania at one time and our 15th President, James Buchanan was from PA. I also dated a girl who's mother was a Buchanan. But you know, I live in New Mexico now and I no longer date that girl. BUT I LIKE THE BUCHANAN TARTAN! So I'm buying it because I like the colors. Of course, I research the tartan after I've decided on the tartan, learn about the clan and it's history, but in the end I like the colors and that's why I decided on that tartan.

How many people would wear an ugly tartan, not that there is any, and be confident and proud? Who's to say what anyone can or can't wear a tartan JUST because they like the colors? To alot of us non-Scots, it's about the freedom to be able to wear what we want to wear.

[Mr. MacDougall]

How many people would wear an ugly tartan, not that there is any, and be confident and proud? (...) To alot of us non-Scots, it's about the freedom to be able to wear what we want to wear.

Or not wear. I have to confess, I feel the MacDougall tartan was designed by someone color-blind. The colors don't go together, to my eye, and the sett is far too busy. It's barely acceptable in some of the large-sett versions. But... I still wear it on occasion, out of a feeling of loyalty to the alfar.

[majdan]

In the end it is only cloth after all. Now just speaking for me and only me, I'm sure others have their own POV and that is perfectly fine with me, but the kilt is about the clan. I wear it to show solidarty with my old folk. Do you really think that anyone would wear either of the two Montgomery tartans otherwise. There are many other tartans that I like much better but none represent my clan. I guess it's sort of like gang colors, or team colors, or branch colors(for us army officers) in a way. That's why I have so many things in Green and Yellow(University of Oregon) and Light Blue (The Infantry color). That's just my view of things and I don't expect anyone to feel the same. That being said I like it when people wear the Montgomery tartan just because they like it. It makes me feel good that someone would find our tartan visually atractive.

[macwilkin]

In the end it is only cloth after all. Now just speaking for me and only me, I'm sure others have their own POV and that is perfectly fine with me, but the kilt is about the clan. I wear it to show solidarty with my old folk. Do you really think that anyone would wear either of the two Montgomery tartans otherwise. There are many other tartans that I like much better but none represent my clan. I guess it's sort of like gang colors, or team colors, or branch colors(for us army officers) in a way. That's why I have so many things in Green and Yellow(University of Oregon) and Light Blue (The Infantry color). That's just my view of things and I don't expect anyone to feel the same. That being said I like it when people wear the Montgomery tartan just because they like it. It makes me feel good that someone would find our tartan visually atractive.

You're not alone, majdan, in your sentiments. For me, the kilt is about clan and heritage as well; whilst there are some other clan's tartans that I really like (Mackenzie of Seaforth), I just can't bring myself to do it.

Of course, the district tartan is always a good choice, especially for a second kilt -- either the district your family came from, or the state/province where they settled.

Regards,

Todd