Perspective

**Chas** · 11th January 12, 05:27 AM

I don't agree that just liking something is a good enough reason to buy it/use it/ wear it.

The next logical step is "I will play my music at brain numbing volumes, because I like the sound", or "I will let my dog run free all day and everyday with no control, because I believe that animals should be as free as humans", or "I will say whatever I want, whenever I want, regardless of who it offends or hurts or belittles, because I believe in the freedom of speech".

I appreciate that these are extreme examples and not exactly relevant, so I will try a different example.

Neckties. There are millions of different ones, but on Remembrance Sunday, when I see a man wearing the Royal Air Force tie and I talk to him I expect him to be a former or current member. Not just someone who is wearing the tie because he likes the colours.

I think the word here is context. The majority are unrestricted tartans, but there are those which are exclusive to a certain group of people. If money was no object, we could all get the Balmoral tartan privately woven. But would it be right to do so?

I really like the Leatherneck tartan. The colours and proportions are as near perfect to my mind. But I could not wear it, even if it was a gift. The context is that I am a proud ex RAF member and the Leatherneck tartan represents another service.

And as much as I 'like the colours', that is not good enough and it would not be right for me to wear it.

Regards

Chas

**thescot** · 12th January 12, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I don't agree that just liking something is a good enough reason to buy it/use it/ wear it.

.. . .And as much as I 'like the colours', that is not good enough and it would not be right for me to wear it.

Regards

Chas

Nah. If you like it, buy it.

**zjrog** · 25th January 12, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

I don't agree that just liking something is a good enough reason to buy it/use it/ wear it.

I really like the Leatherneck tartan. The colours and proportions are as near perfect to my mind. But I could not wear it, even if it was a gift. The context is that I am a proud ex RAF member and the Leatherneck tartan represents another service.

And as much as I 'like the colours', that is not good enough and it would not be right for me to wear it.

Regards

Chas

As a US Navy vet, I spent 4 years carrying Marines to the beach. I also spent a fair amount of time on the ground with them. AND, I feel it is a darned good looking tartan. I believe it will be my first tartan kilt. They are some damned fine men (and women) and always took care of this sailor when in their charge. To me, what better way to honor them? At LEAST, I have a good reason if queried or challenged.

**cessna152towser** · 11th January 12, 04:54 AM

Wear whichever tartan you like.
I agree.
This is so refreshing as an escape from kilt police.

**Riverkilt** · 11th January 12, 06:20 AM

Got me to thinking about my gutter kilt addict/addiction. No matter which tartan I've chosen for a kilt its always been one I liked.
When I chose a tartan for the meaning to me - clan or service - I've also liked the tartan - found it pleasing to my eye and have been proud to wear it.
There are tartans that are meaningful to me that I have declined to order and wear because the tartan is NOT pleasing to me. I've yet to buy a tartan kilt with a tartan I didn't like just because of the tartan's meaning.
So I like the way that dancer thinks.

**rondo** · 12th January 12, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Got me to thinking about my gutter kilt addict/addiction. No matter which tartan I've chosen for a kilt its always been one I liked.
When I chose a tartan for the meaning to me - clan or service - I've also liked the tartan - found it pleasing to my eye and have been proud to wear it.
There are tartans that are meaningful to me that I have declined to order and wear because the tartan is NOT pleasing to me. I've yet to buy a tartan kilt with a tartan I didn't like just because of the tartan's meaning.
So I like the way that dancer thinks.

This is why I passed on the Polaris Tartan...found a good deal, I am a former Submariner, but the tartan just doesn't appeal to me.

Rondo

P.S My first kilt was a phillabeag in Robertson tartan: my father was Robert=> I, being Robert's son, felt it was appropriate.

**masonpiper** · 11th January 12, 08:17 AM

I have aways championed the idea behind the dancer's choice of tartans for a kilt. 3 of my tanks were bought for Bands or organizations, the other 4 because I like them or they fit a need I had. 1) because it is purple and I wanted a purple kilt, 2)..welll blackwatch, cuz I wanted that tartan, 3)I saw one pleated to the red stripe, though it was ugly and then saw it pleated to the blue/black and had to have one, 4) I am a Pittisbugh Steeler FAN and had to have a yellow and black one. Writing this, I guess I have had other reasons to get what I got, but as RiverKilt said, I get ones I like. BTW only 1 of my tartan kilts is Familyish.
blessings

**Sir William** · 12th January 12, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

At a Scottish Country Dance on Saturday I asked the fellow in the set next to me what the handsome tartan was that he was wearing.

He replied

"A blue and gold one"

I laughed and then he continued with "I think it is an Irish district tartan"

As an Scottish Country dancer he needed a kilt and he picked a tartan he liked.

It was as simple as that

And you know what?

I am totally OK with that. Tartan can have all sorts of meaning.

But it can also just be beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

Didn't someone once say that "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"

Cheers

Jamie

Yesterday as I was getting ready to attend a business lunch, I decided to wear a tweed jacket with a tartan tie. I chose my "Maple Leaf" and thought, "I have absolutely no connection to this tartan at all. I just like the colors."

I have a number of tartan ties as they are much less expensive to acquire than kilts, but this is the only one that I do not have some sort of connection to, however tenuous that connection might be.

**guardsman** · 12th January 12, 01:39 PM

Well said , Traditional family for me , but others not so lucky.

**dfmacliam** · 12th January 12, 02:23 PM

LOL and I take pride in wearing my Leatherneck tartan, for obvious reasons, being a Marine and all... but I would not wear another service tartan... well, till I saw the O'Saffron... the tartan worn by the Royal Irish Regiment of Canada. I had it made in a four yard box pleat, so it would not be the same as the Regiment wears it.