Clergy Kilt?

**biblemonkey** · 16th December 11, 05:31 AM

I line up somewhere between the "wear what you want" and the "ONLY YOUR CLAN!" groups so I have a question about appropriateness. I really like the "Clergy" tartan and since I cannot find any "Christian" tartans that I like I thought I would go this route for occasional church wear. I am not a clergyman by any means but I do serve in the church as a musician and do my best to be a good example as an ordinary man to the youth in our church. Would it be in "poor taste" to wear this tartan as a non-frocked but unofficial but respected "leader/server" in my church or is this a grey area that no one really cares about?

Mac Newsome wrote this in a blog:

"In the case of the Clergy tartan, wearing this will imply to people that you are involved in ministry. Out of respect for those who actually are ordained clergy, most people would consider it very inapropriate for a non-minister to wear this tartan."

But I wondered if those serving in the church without being ordained would be "appropriate" as well.

If said tartan WOULD be inapropriate are there any "Christian" tartans out there. I don't care for the "Mighty Men" tartan so that one's out.

Thanks,
Hugh

**cajunscot** · 16th December 11, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by biblemonkey

I line up somewhere between the "wear what you want" and the "ONLY YOUR CLAN!" groups so I have a question about appropriateness. I really like the "Clergy" tartan and since I cannot find any "Christian" tartans that I like I thought I would go this route for occasional church wear. I am not a clergyman by any means but I do serve in the church as a musician and do my best to be a good example as an ordinary man to the youth in our church. Would it be in "poor taste" to wear this tartan as a non-frocked but unofficial "leader/server" in my church or is this a grey area that no one really cares about?

Mac Newsome wrote this in a blog:

"In the case of the Clergy tartan, wearing this will imply to people that you are involved in ministry. Out of respect for those who actually are ordained clergy, most people would consider it very inapropriate for a non-minister to wear this tartan."

But I wondered if those serving in the church without being ordained would be "appropriate" as well.

If said tartan WOULD be inapropriate are their any "Christian" tartans out their. I don't care for the "Mighty Men" tartan so that one's out.

Thanks,
Hugh

There's always the "Holyrood" or "St. Andrew's" tartans...

T.

**artificer** · 16th December 11, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

There's always the "Holyrood" or "St. Andrew's" tartans...

T.

Good call, Todd!

The St. Andrew's tartan fairly close to the Clergy tartan (and a favorite of mine).

When I had my newest kilt made, I had narrowed the tartans down to the St. Andrew's and Holyrood.

I ended up going with the Holyrood, but St. Andrew's is still on my list.

**Chas** · 16th December 11, 05:45 AM

99.9% of the population will neither know nor care. For the 0.1% of the population, who do know and care, Matt's assessment would be quite right.

So who is your target audience?

I do not understand the need for a Christian kilt. I know socks can be holey, but are your shoes religious? Are you seeking out sanctimonious underclothing? Are you looking to have your shirts and jackets blessed? If not, why have you singled out the kilt?

I would have thought that wearing a visible crucifix would say far more about you and your beliefs than an item of clothing not understood by the majority.

Sorry to be brutal.

Regards

Chas

**davidg** · 16th December 11, 05:45 AM

The answer to your question is a little complex and in the end only you can make the decision as to what you should do

Traditionally the clergy tartan is only worn by clergy but it is the definition of "clergy" that is key. It is not denominational so even a buddhist monk might be able to describe himself as clergy. In any case, in the historic Christian church there are several "clerical states" below the commonly recognised states of deacon, priest and bishop. Those clerical states, the state that makes you "clergy", includes doorkeeper, reader, exorcist etc. Modern day traditions are usually just deacon and presbyter (or priest or elder) with some denominations having bishops or moderators as well but, like I said, clergy tartan is not restricted to Christian denominations only

However, wearing clergy tartan is similar in many respects to wearing a clerical collar or a cassock. Would you feel right if you did either of those things?

What I would suggest is that rather than wear the clergy tartan you go for the Clark tartan instead. They are both identical, because clergy and cleric are derived from Clark (or clerk). There is usually a shading difference between clergy and Clark to distinguish one from the other

As I said though, only you can make the decision and most people will not notice anyway

**biblemonkey** · 16th December 11, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

There's always the "Holyrood" or "St. Andrew's" tartans...

T.

Isn't Holyrood the tartan of the "Royal Company of Archers"? And is St Andrews the tartan that makes a St Andrews Cross in the back?

**biblemonkey** · 16th December 11, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

99.9% of the population will neither know nor care. For the 0.1% of the population, who do know and care, Matt's assessment would be quite right.

So who is your target audience?

I do not understand the need for a Christian kilt. I know socks can be holey, but are your shoes religious? Are you seeking out sanctimonious underclothing? Are you looking to have your shirts and jackets blessed? If not, why have you singled out the kilt?

I would have thought that wearing a visible crucifix would say far more about you and your beliefs than an item of clothing not understood by the majority.

Sorry to be brutal.

Regards

Chas

No need to apologize. I don't even wear a crucifix as it seems to be more of a fashion statement than a testament of faith these days. No, I was wondering about religious tartans because to me a tartan is a visual and time honored way of expressing a connection with something bigger than yourself. I wear the Graham to honor my family and while I do my best to try and honor my God with my life, tartan is also a deeply moving thing for me at times. I just wanted to connect the two by wearing an "affiliated" tartan.

Hope this mumble of nonsense makes SOME sense.

Hugh

**biblemonkey** · 16th December 11, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by davidg

The answer to your question is a little complex and in the end only you can make the decision as to what you should do

Traditionally the clergy tartan is only worn by clergy but it is the definition of "clergy" that is key. It is not denominational so even a buddhist monk might be able to describe himself as clergy. In any case, in the historic Christian church there are several "clerical states" below the commonly recognised states of deacon, priest and bishop. Those clerical states, the state that makes you "clergy", includes doorkeeper, reader, exorcist etc. Modern day traditions are usually just deacon and presbyter (or priest or elder) with some denominations having bishops or moderators as well but, like I said, clergy tartan is not restricted to Christian denominations only

However, wearing clergy tartan is similar in many respects to wearing a clerical collar or a cassock. Would you feel right if you did either of those things?

What I would suggest is that rather than wear the clergy tartan you go for the Clark tartan instead. They are both identical, because clergy and cleric are derived from Clark (or clerk). There is usually a shading difference between clergy and Clark to distinguish one from the other

As I said though, only you can make the decision and most people will not notice anyway

Good points about the collar. Hmmm...that really brings it home so probably no Clergy tartan for me. I wouldn't want to wear the Clark for the same reason but thanks for the suggestion.