Which one to wear?

[Debbie]

Are there rules about who can wear Clan tartans, or is it now a free for all and wear what you like? I now have two kilts, one being the heritage tartan and the other, the Freedom tartan.

[WalesLax]

Are there rules about who can wear Clan tartans, or is it now a free for all and wear what you like? I now have two kilts, one being the heritage tartan and the other, the Freedom tartan.

Debbie,

Welcome!

Both of your kilts are "universal" tartans, meaning anyone can wear them, so feel free and safe in those. As for clan tartans - no one can really stop you from wearing whatever makes you happy, so again, buy what you like and wear it with pride!

Rob

[Jock Scot]

You can wear nearly any tartan you wish. Whether one should is entirely another matter. There are a few tartans that are restricted from the general public.

[Wareyin]

If you are wearing a tartan, be prepared to be asked if it is your family tartan. If not, you may (but not always) be asked why you are wearing it. I have one tartan that is not my family's, and I answered that I just wear it because I liked the pattern. Of course, once I got a family tartan, I only wear that one, anyway.

There are no rules, but people have an expectation (most especially non-kilted people) of why you wear a certain tartan. At least here, in the US. The social conventions may be different if you are elsewhere.

[Father Bill]

Every once in a while there's a self-appointed tartan cop. You're wisest not to engage them in conversation. A lot of them only come forward when they're drunk.

Best answer to why you're wearing a specific tartan? "Family tartan." No further comment is useful, necessary, wanted, or welcome. If they say it's not what they thought, the answer is "Weaving variation." Again, short sentence, no explanation.

Being female is an advantage; nobody knows what a woman's former surname may or may not have been, or her mother's for that matter.

[ctbuchanan]

I only wear my family tartan but several Buchanan tartans are readily available through vendors like Sport Kilt and USA Kilts so I often come across people wearing them at highland games here in the States. Athletes seem to like them quite a bit.

I sometimes ask if they are kin and if not I complement them on their good taste. There have been several times when the wearer doesn't know what tartan they have on, they found it in a thrift shop or similar. I usually pronounce them an adopted Buchanan for the day (I can do that. I'm a Commissioner so I can declare war on other clans and adopt new clan members etc.).

So wear what you like, be prepared in case someone asks, but I agree with others that most people don't know the difference and won't be bothered.

[freep]

Every once in a while there's a self-appointed tartan cop. You're wisest not to engage them in conversation. A lot of them only come forward when they're drunk.

Best answer to why you're wearing a specific tartan? "Family tartan." No further comment is useful, necessary, wanted, or welcome. If they say it's not what they thought, the answer is "Weaving variation." Again, short sentence, no explanation.

Being female is an advantage; nobody knows what a woman's former surname may or may not have been, or her mother's for that matter.

The other consideration, possibly if presented with name/family/tartan/badge conundrum is "I was adopted, my bio-family are Ribinowitz (or what have you)."
And yes, I was.

[Tarheel]

Wiser ones have spoken. I choose to wear my family's tartan, but have a few other tartans that are pertinent to my past such as the US. Army and Confederate Memorial tartans. My future choices will be the Carolina State, Iles of Skye, Black Watch and Loch Lomond.

If for no other reason, these selections bring out the color of my eyes (meant as humor of course).

[MacEanruig]

Are there rules about who can wear Clan tartans, or is it now a free for all and wear what you like? I now have two kilts, one being the heritage tartan and the other, the Freedom tartan.

As you have read, it's up to you. Just curious, which clan tartan were you you considering?

[Debbie]

Not sure yet, but my favourite colours are purple, black and red.