Can anyone wear any tartan?

[JakobT]

I can well understand those who would feel awkward wearing a tartan they didn't feel entitled to wear. An interesting point, though, is that such objections only seem to be raised when it comes to kilts, and not other articles of clothing. I've often seen plaid shirts in clan tartans, for instance, and I doubt whether anyone who wore such a shirt would be challenged in any way. The same goes for ties, scarves etc. If we allow clan tartans to be worn in other garments without family/clan connections, then surely the kilt should be no different?

[Highland Logan]

I can well understand those who would feel awkward wearing a tartan they didn't feel entitled to wear. An interesting point, though, is that such objections only seem to be raised when it comes to kilts, and not other articles of clothing. I've often seen plaid shirts in clan tartans, for instance, and I doubt whether anyone who wore such a shirt would be challenged in any way. The same goes for ties, scarves etc. If we allow clan tartans to be worn in other garments without family/clan connections, then surely the kilt should be no different?

To put myself in that mindset, I would say the difference is that most of those would be bumblebee tartans (fashion). And non of the clothing artticles you mentioned have anything to do with Scotland's national dress.. the kilt.

Frank

[JakobT]

To put myself in that mindset, I would say the difference is that most of those would be bumblebee tartans (fashion). And non of the clothing artticles you mentioned have anything to do with Scotland's national dress.. the kilt.

Frank

Except that quite a few are in fact in clan/family tartans. I have seen examples of both Gordon and McGregor tartans in shirts, along with more common universal tartans such as Royal Stewart and Black Watch.

[Macman]

An interesting point, though, is that such objections only seem to be raised when it comes to kilts, and not other articles of clothing. I've often seen plaid shirts in clan tartans, for instance, and I doubt whether anyone who wore such a shirt would be challenged in any way. The same goes for ties, scarves etc. If we allow clan tartans to be worn in other garments without family/clan connections, then surely the kilt should be no different?

That's an interesting point, for sure. I have a number of flannel shirts in various clan tartans that I wear all the time. I would not wear a kilt in those tartans, however. When I tried to think of why, I came back to what I think Frank is saying; I identify the kilt as Scotland's national dress, whereas a shirt is just a shirt.

[JakobT]

That's an interesting point, for sure. I have a number of flannel shirts in various clan tartans that I wear all the time. I would not wear a kilt in those tartans, however. When I tried to think of why, I came back to what I think Frank is saying; I identify the kilt as Scotland's national dress, whereas a shirt is just a shirt.

I'm sure that this is what most people feel. I do think, however, that it's somewhat illogical to regard clan/family tartans as sacred when used for kilts, when we otherwise use them so freely.

I agree, though, that whatever you might privately think, wearing a kilt in a clan tartan with which you have no connection WILL cause questions to be asked, and possibly eyebrows to be raised as well. So in the end, I guess it comes down to whether you care what other people think, and whether you are prepared to stand your ground in the face of disapproval. If the answer is yes, then go ahead, wear whatever tartan takes your fancy, and wear it well. If not, a universal or fashion tartan might be more your thing.

[glenlivet]

I personally will not wear a tartan with which I have no connexion, including the universal ones.

Do you mean that you eschew the universal tartans because they don't have a specific enough familial or geographic connection for you?
Are you not at least an inhabitant of this universe? Seems to me they should be okay because if you're wearing a kilt at least partially to express pride in your Scottish ancestry, then all of the universal tartans are just about going to fulfill that purpose, inherently. No?

[Mair of the Tribe of Mar]

At one time in my life, not too long ago, I believed that you should only wear the tartan that you have a connection to, or the universal tartans! This has changed though. Granted, I believe that if there is a connection; geographically or familial that tartan might be chosen before others.

But, if someone likes the look of the "gordon" tartan and they have no association to the Gordons, wear it! And if asked if they are a member of the House of Gordon, say no, I just like this tartan. That should be the end of the discussion. There are a lot more things in the world to be worried about than if so-and-so is entitled to wear a specific tartan.

Also, on a personal note, my family is an accepted sept of the Tribe of Mar, an organization in which I am fully active. Yet, my specific family, as far as we can trace, never had any lasting contact with the lands of Mar or the Earl of the same. Yet, by reasoning of some, I should only be allowed to wear Mar or a district tartan since they are the ones I am associated with. Even though historically, there was no association, whatsoever!

Peace and Harmony,

[Kilted Rebel]

My Scottish ansestors wore what kept them warm, and probably wouldn't have been caught dead in somthing designed by an English Lord, but rattling chains against the English never seemed to bother our Highland ansestors!

Remembe:A Scotsman wears his kilt with pride and prays there is nae a breeze...

[Highland Logan]

My Scottish ansestors wore what kept them warm, and probably wouldn't have been caught dead in somthing designed by an English Lord, but rattling chains against the English never seemed to bother our Highland ansestors!

Remembe:A Scotsman wears his kilt with pride and prays there is nae a breeze...

I seem to have missed something. What was designed by an English Lord?

Frank

[Cassidy]

I seem to have missed something. What was designed by an English Lord?

Frank

Well by one school of thought, the kilt as we know it. ;)

And half the tartans, too.