Wearing another clans Tartan?

[CMcG]

Yes, this has been discussed before and it is good to read old threads. But it is still interesting and forum membership changes over time, so it is good to revisit topics every now and again

seasaidhlinne's question was about tartan etiquette, which is an issue of conventional social behaviours. Succinctly, the proper decorum for clan tartans is to only wear the one you have the closest connection to.

The long answer could be more complicated if one's family name doesn't have a clan tartan and they need to go back up the family tree to shake out some Scots. Then there is the issue of official vs. unofficial clan tartans. There are also reasons of affiliation, such as regimental or band uniforms, as well as issues of adoption, such as marriage or joining a clan association.

If one is not concerned about this point of etiquette, then they can, of course, wear whatever they want. Being aware of this decorum, however, might give such a person pause to at least avoid members of the clan whose tartan they are wearing

For myself, I started out wearing other clan's tartans because I had to borrow them from friends The first kilt I bought was in a clan tartan from my mother's side of the family because it was a good deal, but I eventually sold it because it didn't feel right when I knew I should be wearing the tartan associated with my family name, which is patrilinear.

Now I own 7 kilts, but only wear one clan tartan: my own. In fact, I have my clan tartan in both ancient and modern colours Two of my kilts are solid colour and the other tartans are district and fashion.

[TheOfficialBren]

Why would anyone want to wear somebody else's name tag?

[Carlo]

Why would anyone want to wear somebody else's name tag?

Why would anyone want to wear a football shirt with somebody else's name tag?
Why would anyone want to wear a football shirt of a club he (or she) doesn't support?

Because somebody might be a supporter, fan, friend or just like the name, colours...
There are many reasons.

[David Thorpe]

Why would anyone want to wear a football shirt with somebody else's name tag?
Why would anyone want to wear a football shirt of a club he (or she) doesn't support?

Not the same thing. At all. But some don't get that - some just don't understand. One of life's unsolved mysteries.

[TheOfficialBren]

Not the same thing. At all. But some don't get that - some just don't understand. One of life's unsolved mysteries.

+100!!

I am, by no means, a Tartan Enforcement Agent but I agree. There IS a much deeper meaning to tartan. They may have been arbitrarily adopted or named 200 years ago but they DID become traditional and that should be respected.

I feel that I should clarify my earlier post.

While I wouldn't get bent out of shape or outright angry at someone wearing our clan's tartan I would be a bit miffed if I struck up a conversation about it and they said they just liked the colours. I understand. Shaw is a pretty stellar tartan (I am clearly biased here) but there are others out there that might be more suitable and in a similar style (Argyle comes to mind immediately).

I DO love seeing our colours...but I do feel a bit intruded upon (justifiably or not) when someone just springs for it based solely on its aesthetic value. When the time is right (dropping some weight) I will purchase a fine kilt in our tartan and wear it proudly. That will bring my count to two casuals (Holyrood and Black Watch) and one Tank (or APC [to coin a new term for 6-yarders that would otherwise be a tank if they were 8-yards]) in Shaw Modern.
That's PLENTY of kilts for me. I don't understand or feel the need to snatch up every tartan that I can. They are symbols of kinship...not collectable trading cards.

Whew! That was a lot! Sorry for rambling. Just felt the need to clarify.

[MacLowlife]

Who does and doesn't get it depends on which side of the question you park yourself. Unless there are a whole lot more guys out there named Sean John and Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren than I realized, the question of wearing someone else's name is not so simple as some would have it. I agree with Colin, there is an etiquette here, but the depth of attachment some of us feel really ought not to be assumed to be universal. For some odd reason, the closest thing seems to be back window decals that display the name of a school or college. While hundreds of people may put a sticker on their bumper to support a team they merely like- or install one of those front license tags if their government doesn't require a front one, almost nobody pouts a sticker on their window unless they attend the school- or a family member does. Alma Mater means Nurturing Mother, after all. But are you going to check a job applicant's car window or are you going to look at her resume when you want to know where she went to school?

We have already established that some people would never wear another clan tartan under any circumstances. I think it is useful to draw a wide line between tartan kilt wearing and tartan flannel shirt ( or pajama or boxer or hairband) wearing, with much less significance (or grounds for offense) to be attached, assumed, or inferred or implied. When granny gets out her set of twelve different tartan teacups, are you going to refuse to drink from the one she hands you? Sometimes a cigar, etc.

[Father Bill]

I'm a priest. I was trained at an accredited seminary. I was ordained by a bishop (actually a group of bishops) in apostolic succession. I am rather disgusted when I meet someone who is also wearing a clerical collar and discover in conversation that s/he has no (or very questionable) training or theological education or ordination, and doesn't even belong to any known denomination, but intends to put up a sign and open a "church" in the mall. Some day. A clerical collar is not a fashion statement, it's a uniform. I worked hard for my collar; I don't easily approve of folks like that wearing one because it actually means something that I consider to be fraudulent.

So... I wear clergy tartan. I don't think it's reasonable for people such as the one I've described to wear it. It means that the wearer is something that, in my opinion, that person isn't. I also wear Sinclair because after long, persistent, and difficult research, consultation, and historical/ genealogical discussions, I discovered ancestors who were Sinclairs. I don't wear it because it's pretty (It is!) I also consulted the Lord Lyon's definition of clan membership and discussed that historical connection and definition with consultants whom I respect for their real qualifications, training and knowledge and they assured me that it was virtually impossible for me to not be a Sinclair. I don't wear MacOnion, MacTurnip, or MacYoyo because I don't have a connection to those clans. Objectively, some of them are pretty. Subjectively, they're not pretty to me because they're not who I am.

To wear Tommy Hilfiger is a fashion statement. It doesn't mean that it's your name. To wear a clerical collar is a statement of qualification. To wear tartan is an identification of self. I might wear a Hilfiger shirt. I would never wear a Hilfiger tartan were there such a ghastly thing.

But as has been pointed out... that's all just me and my understanding of what a tartan is.

[Nathan]

I think it is useful to draw a wide line between tartan kilt wearing and tartan flannel shirt ( or pajama or boxer or hairband) wearing, with much less significance (or grounds for offense) to be attached, assumed, or inferred or implied.

I agree that there is a big difference between a tartan kilt and a plaid cowboy shirt or flannel pjs. Nobody is going to ask me what clan tartan I'm wearing if I have some flannel pjs on. This isn't clan garb per se. That said, most of my non-Highland wear that happens to be plaid is just in a generic fashion tartan. If someone identified my cowboy shirt as the MacOnion tartan however... I still might feel odd about it.

[TheOfficialBren]

Father Bill:
Well-stated, sir.

I agree that there is a big difference between a tartan kilt and a plaid cowboy shirt or flannel pjs. Nobody is going to ask me what clan tartan I'm wearing if I have some flannel pjs on. This isn't clan garb per se. That said, most of my non-Highland wear that happens to be plaid is just in a generic fashion tartan. If someone identified my cowboy shirt as the MacOnion tartan however... I still might feel odd about it.

Nathan, I am with you on this.

I would like to add to the discussion that I for one (and I am pretty sure that others will chime in on this as it has come up in the past) DO respect my ancestors and want to honour their memory (if it weren't for them I wouldn't be here to type this) BUT I also know that tartan and Highland garb (while extremely important) is not to be idolised and taken out of perspective.

Love your tartan, wear it with pride, defend your honour and safeguard it from soil...but do not elevate it to a worshipful veneration.

I have seen a few chaps take it too far and a good number (even fellows whom I happen to admire a great deal) take it too lightly.

Maybe I'm being a bit heavy but, darn it, my dander's a bit up.


Btw, I love this emoticon.

[MacGumerait]

+100!!

I am, by no means, a Tartan Enforcement Agent but I agree. There IS a much deeper meaning to tartan. They may have been arbitrarily adopted or named 200 years ago but they DID become traditional and that should be respected.

I feel that I should clarify my earlier post.

While I wouldn't get bent out of shape or outright angry at someone wearing our clan's tartan I would be a bit miffed if I struck up a conversation about it and they said they just liked the colours. I understand. Shaw is a pretty stellar tartan (I am clearly biased here) but there are others out there that might be more suitable and in a similar style (Argyle comes to mind immediately).

I DO love seeing our colours...but I do feel a bit intruded upon (justifiably or not) when someone just springs for it based solely on its aesthetic value. When the time is right (dropping some weight) I will purchase a fine kilt in our tartan and wear it proudly. That will bring my count to two casuals (Holyrood and Black Watch) and one Tank (or APC [to coin a new term for 6-yarders that would otherwise be a tank if they were 8-yards]) in Shaw Modern.
That's PLENTY of kilts for me. I don't understand or feel the need to snatch up every tartan that I can. They are symbols of kinship...not collectable trading cards.

Whew! That was a lot! Sorry for rambling. Just felt the need to clarify.

Bravo . That wasn't too much for me . If that was a lot ... it certainly was a " good " lot !