Why don't more people wear old non-clan tartans?

[Jock Scot]

With the immense increase in the wearing of the kilt and related items I'm interested why people don't wear many of the older, pre-Repeal, tartans particularly when they own more than one kilt. Many of these old patterns are extraordinarily beautiful and connect us to a culture and history in a unique way by virtue of the fact they were there. They would make excellent kilts and for re-enactors we actually have examples of old plaid, kilt and jacket patterns. There are also a number of clan tartans that fit into the same category. The few such patterns offered by the manufacturers are usually completely wrong and they don’t seem to be interested in historical accuracy.

Is it that:

1. People want to wear something with which they have a connection?
2. They don't know about these old patterns?
3. The material is not generally available?
4. The material is, or is perceived to be, more/too expensive?
5. Some other reason?

Nos 1 to 3 cover your excellent question well I think. As a local who is moderately interested in tartans and would like to think is reasonably well informed have no real idea where to easily access a view of these "forgotten" tartans. By easily I don't mean delving into dusty archives in some museum, or trolling around the Internet after some "will 'o the wisp" idea. So your Question no 5 could be; where can all these " unknown" tartans be easily found for us to see what is available to us?I have little idea what choice there is for this traditional single clan tartan wearing fellow. Once those questions have been covered, then your question 4 comes into play!

Basically us mere mortals don't know about these old patterns.

[Whidbey78]

Nos 1 to 3 cover your excellent question well I think. As a local who is moderately interested in tartans and would like to think is reasonably well informed have no real idea where to easily access a view of these "forgotten" tartans. By easily I don't mean delving into dusty archives in some museum, or trolling around the Internet after some "will 'o the wisp" idea. So your Question no 5 could be; where can all these " unknown" tartans be easily found for us to see what is available to us?I have little idea what choice there is for this traditional single clan tartan wearing fellow. Once those questions have been covered, then your question 4 comes into play!

Basically us mere mortals don't know about these old patterns.

I agree. I think that #4 plays a big role as well. Money always comes into play...and even if one wishes to save for it the desire to get a rare tartan (usually a special order item with a longer wait than others) may get trumped by the desire to get something more readily available though still seldom seen. Of course, this option is usually a bit less expensive as well. I would rather be able to get it sooner and cheaper given my 'druthers.