choosing a tartan

[Mike S]

Ironic that one of the few Scottish tartans that are so called "forbidden" to we common folk was designed for and worn by a couple of Germans (I'm 50% one of those too, so no snarky PMs please ).

[fluter]

Another avenue of exploration would be the regional and district tartans. If you hail from North or South Carolina, or can build a legitimate connection the Carolina tartan is really quite fetching.

As seen currently in my avatar.

Heaven help you if you a Clemson alum of course ;-)

In fact, Clemson has their own tartan, the lucky so-n-so's! It's rather a pretty one, too. Clemson tartan at the Tartan Register

[Joe Gondek]

Before the 1800's there were very few "Clan Tartans" A man wore what he liked, or what was available.
If someone objects to your choice of Tartan tell them that your heart is in the 18th century; it didn't matter then and it shouldn't matter now.

[usonian]

I've been mostly lurking around here and reading the many variations of this discussion for a while now, and it's fascinating, and I don't think that there will ever be a succinct answer. You'll get some people telling you that only native-born Scots with a Highland clan surname are allowed to wear highland dress in their family tartan, and you'll get people who wouldn't think twice about wearing a tartan just because it's pretty. Mostly, though, I think you'll get people telling you to do what you're comfortable with.

Whatever you decide, I think that the most important thing is to really own it. I haven't acquired a kilt yet, but as a bow tie wearer and person who often finds himself over-dressed for many occasions, my experience is that being able to pull off any garment or outfit is about 10% fashion sense and about 90% self-confidence. If you decide to wear a family tartan without a connection to that family, be prepared to shrug off the tut-tuts you're bound to get if you get into a conversation about it with the kilt police. Joe Gondek's line about the 18th century is a good one! Or if your conscience allows it, make up a distant ancestor to satisfy nosy, rude strangers and sidestep the issue altogether.

My personal inclination is to stick to family connections, but I'm a bit of a romantic and fascinated by history and genealogy. In my case my clan affiliations are pretty far back in my tree; my heritage is a lot more English and Irish than Scottish, so I'm certainly not going to point fingers at anyone about "entitlement."

[Fedgunner]

I'm going to go ahead and toss in my two pence.
There are so many tartans that are not "spoken for", that if you look at the list it will boggle the imagination.
Even within clan tartans there are unclaimed gems. The "banned MacMillan" otherwise known as MacMillan modern black. This tartan is not recognized by the clan chief. Clan Campbell is better yet, the chief only recognizes the original sett(Black Watch), he grudgingly allows ancient color.
I would believe that the Irish county tartans are pure fashion invention as well.
I own a kilt in Holy Rood (the older, blue tartan). I am not associated with the Scottish government in any way, shape or form and I doubt I'll ever be bothered by the tartan police.
I would like to suggest a little known tartan, the capercaillie. ( the capercaillie is a Scottish grouse) all proceeds go to the RSPB.

[Joe Gondek]

Thanks alot Fedgunner!!!!

I took your advice and checked out the capercaillie tartan

now I have to add another tartan to my wish list

that is one really nice tartan
avaiabe in both 13 & 15 oz with two color variations and

[Brett]

*first post by newbie member and will post intro. in newbie section soon*


What about tartans of your maternal side or someone in your family who is not of your last name?

For instance, I have a McCallum kilt on the way (my last name) but I'd love to get a kilt in a Muirhead tartan (my father's mother's family) and a Thomson kilt (my maternal grandmother's family)

My apologies if it's considered rude here to participate in a conversation without first making an introduction in the newbie section.

[ccga3359]

...or, if I'm not mistaken, have some material laying about like our own learned gent Mr. Newsome.

For what it's worth, I don't have any Balmoral tartan material laying about....

I do have a child's kilt in the Balmoral tartan, from the 1930s, which was well before the time when the Royal Family decided to restrict its use and availability.

We now return to your regular programming....

I am indeed mistaken... Wow that hasn't happened before*.

What about tartans of your maternal side or someone in your family who is not of your last name?

For instance, I have a McCallum kilt on the way (my last name) but I'd love to get a kilt in a Muirhead tartan (my father's mother's family) and a Thomson kilt (my maternal grandmother's family)

According to some it's considered not proper to wear your wife's family tartan but by all means go for it. Especially since you do have Muirhead and Thompson blood in your veins.

*I learned to talk as a young child.

[CaptainZap]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Untill I obtain more info on the family background from my sister, she's been doing the resurch, I'll stick to the more generic tartans so as not to step on somens toes

Tom

[The Wizard of BC]

I have a sign here in my shop that reads:


There are three rules
that govern what Tartan
you can, or should, wear.

1) Pick a Tartan that has some meaning to you.
2) Know what Tartan you are wearing.
3) Wear it with pride.

If Anyone tells you that you can only wear your 'Clan' Tartan or that you cannot wear a particular Tartan, then I'm afraid I must say;

There are Tartan Snobs out there but there are no Tartan Cops.