Wearing another clans Tartan?

[seasaidhlinne]

Hi Rabble,
I was wondering what the etiquette behind wearing another clans tartan in the form of a kilt.
It's something I know that would irritate me, but sometimes I stumble across a deal that is SO hard to pass up but it isn't always in Fraser or Patterson colors. It makes me feel guilty the idea of it, and I wanted to get the official scoop so I don't commit a kilt faux-pas
Seasaidh(Jess),

[TheOfficialBren]

The short of it:
Tartans were mostly invented in the 1800s by weavers trying to sell their products during the "tartan craze" from the late Georgian period (early 1800s) lasting right through the Victorian period (1800s-1901).
Tartans were arbitrarily assigned in many cases and were often not "official." the tradition grew oit of that trend (sorry, but it WAS a trend).

Now, tartans are symbolic more than historical (with a few exceptions, a couple are do indeed have historical precedence).

"Fashion" or "Universal" tartans are a mdern extension of this older craze, perhaps the reincarnation of it.

Personally, I wouldn't wear another clan's tartan except under special circumstances.

I stick to Unversal tartans for variety and plan to get a Shaw tartan kilt for traditional purposes. Admittedly, though, two kilts are enough for me. I plan to pass on my acryllic Black Watch soon but I digress and ramble (apologies).

No hard, fast rule. Just sensitivity. I would advise to know some things about whichever clan tartan you wear. I personally don't get terribly offended when others wear our tartan...hell, it's rare enough that I'm just glad to see it! I do prefer that only members of the clan wear it, though.

[tulloch]

I don't think it would be a kilt faux-pas to wear another tartan that you like. There are some that are restricted and maybe someone could make life difficult for you but all others are fair game. We all have worn a shirt or tie or pajamas in someone's tartan other than our own. I think that you make a point when you say it would irritate you for someone else to do it. Nice designs are often best seen on others.

I love to see lots of tartans. It is one of the things that I enjoy about going to highland games. I, like you, am drawn pretty much to my kin's designs. If you see good deals though, maybe you should collect some additional items. You may find your opinions and feelings change concerning cross-pollination of tartan tastes.

[TheOfficialBren]

Tulloch, ***.

American kilting traditions are in their infanxy and we, the diaspora, are removed from Scotland. As a result, sometimes we do things a bit different than across the pond--not out of disrespect but for any number of reasons.

Economics can be a factor in Highland attire (or any other outlet for cultural expression).

Just remember that these so-called "clan" tartans were NOT always worn by those clans. Many were fashions of the day. History is on your side, my friend.

[Pipersson]

Mmh, I am in the comfortable situation to have a fine choice of tartans connected with my name and clan (Smith, Gow, Macpherson) but the Chisholm hunting ancient is very tempting to wear... Maybe I have to write to Chisholm Chief one day to ask for permission but at the moment I work on having some of "my" tartans first....

[Nathan]

Jessie,

This has been discussed many times and you'll get a vast array of opinions. Mine is probably in the minority, but here it is.

Although it is generally accepted that "clan tartans" were an anachronistic romanticization in many cases (Google Sobieski Stuarts), the tradition has now been around for roughly 200 years and has taken hold. In my experience, most Nova Scotian Scots know their own tartan and more than a few others. Many Nova Scotians also take their clan and all its symbols more seriously than some other communities. Since you live in Nova Scotia, I'd advise you to refrain from wearing the tartan of another clan. While you would not be breaking any law (kilts aren't heraldry), you would look the part of an impostor. Clans have long bloody histories and would you want to wear the tartan of a historic enemy of your ancestral clan just to save a few bucks? If we wear the tartan to honour our ancestors and heritage, this might not be the best approach.

There are some circumstances where it's considered perfectly acceptable to wear another clan's tartan such as when it's your pipe band, military regiment, highland dance uniform or your partner's clan.

Some wear the kilt because they like it. Some have no connection to the Scottish clans and just admire the look. Others see the fact that clan tartans were a Victorian invention in the post '45 era when the clan system had been dismantled as a good reason to wear any tartan they like. Still others claim the right to wear whatever clothing they pay their hard-earned money to obtain.

If I had my druthers, people who just wanted to wear the kilt would stick to generic and region tartans rather than wearing a tartan that clan members the world over have rallied around as a common modern day symbol of identity. Sadly, nobody appointed me king of the world, so for now, all I can do is reply to questions like yours and pass on the etiquette (and that's exactly what it is) with which I was raised.

[MacLowlife]

Seasaidh, you raise two distinct questions: The first, which tartan one can or should wear, is going to be one of those topics with widely divergent answers. As you have already seen, there are those who will wear anything and don't care who sees and those who wouldn't dare.

But the second question is implicit:How may tartans ( or kilts) are enough? I believe you will find the traditional view is that a single kilt is enough, with maybe a good one and an old one, to be worn for dress and every day, respectively. The other view, of course, is that a kilt is like other garments and most folk would rather not try to live with just one pair of trousers. My own experience is that kilting is like so many things- you can get caught up in the acquisition of equipment and end up with far more than you need, just because it is so much fun to buy things. Wear what you like- be prepared to discuss it and occasionally to shrug and ignore someone else's contrary opinion. Wade in slowly, though, so as to know what you want before going off half-cocked.

All of this is offered to you at no cost and is worth the price of acquisition.
yr hmble &c...
M'll

[GG]

Being a kilt wearing non-Scot I could limit myself to tartans without clan affiliation, and yes, there are some nice ones around.

Or I could have made kilts in some district tartans referring to areas to which I have no connection and normally with a heavy price up due to limited demand.

Or I could just buy the tartans I like the most.

To me part of the game is variety. And – most non-Scottish – I have several kilts, some of them being in universal, others simply clan tartans.

I have, once, met a guy, telling me that I was actually wearing “his” tartan but that he also found it great to see it being worn. He was – most Scottish -in jeans and regretted that he himself very seldom was wearing the kilt.

[Nile]

Tulloch, ***.

American kilting traditions are in their infanxy and we, the diaspora, are removed from Scotland.

I agree with Bren and Tulloch. It's just my opinion but, there is something about the connection you have with a kilt when you realize that it is not a costume or fashion statement. In a way, it becomes for you, an extension of your family (your very history), place of origin, organization or perhaps military affiliation, as well as an expression of your personality.

Jessie, you seem to be cognizant of your clan roots and proud of your Fraser and Patterson ancestry, so I think that you should capitalize on that. If you're patient, you will eventually come across the right kilt at the right price. I found a nice, wool, Fraser Hunting, kilt for my wife on eBay, very cheap.

You might also look to your extended ancestry for other clan connections. On my fathers side there are two other solid Scottish clan connections that I could probably justify wearing the tartans of (though probably won't). I recently acquired an inexpensive (non-wool) kilt in my wife's family (sept) tartan, Royal Stewart. I justify wearing it because it's her family connection and that family is part of our children's heritage (and it's a tartan kilt I can wear until my 'Fraser' is done). But, of course, my sir name is a sept of the Fraser Clan so, I felt that I wanted an heirloom kilt to honor that connection (on order). If I order another tartan kilt in the future, it will certainly be a Fraser tartan as well.

Nile

[Downunder Kilt]

Hi Rabble,
I was wondering what the etiquette behind wearing another clans tartan in the form of a kilt.
It's something I know that would irritate me, but sometimes I stumble across a deal that is SO hard to pass up but it isn't always in Fraser or Patterson colors. It makes me feel guilty the idea of it, and I wanted to get the official scoop so I don't commit a kilt faux-pas
Seasaidh(Jess),

It would be rare indeed to find a kilt in Pat(t)erson tartan for two reasons:
1. There is no official tartan(as in recognised by a chief) because there is no Clan Chief.
2. There are unofficial Paterson tartans out there but they require a custom weave.

I have 2 of them
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=5094
and
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=3301