Allowed tartans

[Panache]

Makeitstop,

You have posted your two cents, so here are mine.

There are fabric choices out there that are a LOT less expensive and far more durable than tartan, especially quality wool tartan. Part of the beauty of tartan is that it can stand for something. A tartan can represent a piece of history, honor a group, or stand for an ideal


Take a piece of Campbell / Black Watch tartan in your hands.

It can represent those that fought for the English Crown against their people,

It can represent generations of brave soldiers who fought with distinction and valor,

It can represent a family's history and unity,

It can represent an enemy and bloody deeds never forgotten,

and many other things both good and bad.

There in your hand is pride, honor, villainy, family, loyalty, blood, death, bravery, honor, and above all HISTORY!

With the internet so much information is available, so quickly, for so little effort. If one would take the time to choose a tartan to wear it seems a shame to not invest a moment more to know what that tartan represents.

I am not a Campbell and I have no connection to the Black Watch Regiment. But I wear this tartan in a full 8 yard knife pleated kilt with respect to those two groups. My ancestors were not slain by the Campbells but I know that this deed happened and there are those that to this day see that association. How richer this fabric is for all this history. I wear my grey Utilikilt and enjoy it for it's practicality, comfort, good looks, and as a representation of my individuality. But my tartan kilts have this added dimension.

One of the wonderful things about tartans is that besides warps and wefts there is history woven into that cloth. I think that one should wear whatever tartan you like (with a few exceptions). To not take that moment to understand the history or meaning of a tartan isn't just a matter of disrespect. It is to have something and not get the full enjoyment and appreciation of it.

Respectfully

Jamie

[Bryan]

I'm new on these forums, but here's my opinion.

Growing up I always had some weird obsession with all things Scottish/Irish. Music, dress, food, anything. At the age of 10ish I asked if we had any Scottish/Irish blood in the family and was told, "No, you're German (my mother is from Germany by way of an American father/German mother and my father's family is originally from Germany)" and I grew up steeped in German culture and tradition, which I am fiercely proud of. But there remained my fascination with the Celtic lands.

As I got older I wanted a kilt badly, but couldn't rationalize wearing one as I wasn't Scottish. I eventually got married to a lovely girl of Scottish/Irish descent and finally had my reason to wear a kilt/tartan. So, I got my one and only kilt in HER family's tartan which happens to be Lamont. I thought, "Hey, I married into her family, right?"

After a little research recently, I discovered that I do indeed have Scottish ancestry on my mother's side (her Grandmother was a Butters, an old Scottish family long associated with Clan Murray) so I've decided to get another kilt made in my own clan's tartan.

Now we come to my opinion. I chose tartans that has some special meaning for ME. Whether it's my family's tartan or my spouse's tartan, or something like the Confederate Memorial Tartan, which for me as a born and raised Texan, means a lot because it is part of the history of my state. Choosing another tartan completely, is more than fine. Wear it proudly and enjoy it!

Being German, it wouldn't offend me to see someone who isn't German "parading" around in Lederhosen, drinking German beer, and eating Schnitzel.

Apologies in advance if I've repeated anything anyone else said, 19 pages of posts is a lot to get through.

[Wompet]

I am not a Campbell and I have no connection to the Black Watch Regiment. But I wear this tartan in a full 8 yard knife pleated kilt with respect to those two groups.

And those are the same reasons I won't wear the Black Watch. And that's okay - there's room enough here for both mine and Panache's points of view.

Now we come to my opinion. I chose tartans that has some special meaning for ME. Whether it's my family's tartan or my spouse's tartan, or something ... Choosing another tartan completely, is more than fine. Wear it proudly and enjoy it!

This is a view that a lot of us here share. We have some connection to the tartans we chose for ourselves. That connection may be familial, geographical, vocational, to a friend or mentor (which is a just a strong a tie as family sometimes), but the connection is there. But if that tie isn't there, is doesn't matter how nice that tartan is - we're not going to wear it.

If you're wearing a tartan you have no ties to - well, I may look at you a little funny, but that's your choice. I'm one of the self-policing Tartan Police.

[gilmore]

Wompet,

I am with you. I just don't see the point in having something taking up space in my closet that I have no association with.

[Peter C.]

Wompet,

I am with you. I just don't see the point in having something taking up space in my closet that I have no association with.

Have you always only worn kilts? If not I would be interested to know what association you had with the trousers that took up space in your closet.

Peter

[gilmore]

Have you always only worn kilts? If not I would be interested to know what association you had with the trousers that took up space in your closet.

Peter

Generally, trousers don't even pretend to say much about their wearer other than that he is not barelegged. Kilts do.

[Tattoo Bradley]

and eating Schnitzel.

Mmmmmmmmm. Schnitzel.