i primarily wear kilts because they are cool and comfortable. i also like history and feel part of history by wearing the kilt. kilting encourages me to learn more about european and especially the islands' history.

i have no blood ties to scotland or ireland, and i recognize that the american tradition for both are different than across the atlantic.

since i try not to step on too many toes, i favor universal tartans but prefer irish tartans as a personal preference (plus i have had a greater influence from irish friends)(i do not try too hard to dissuade them from their belief that the kilt is an irish creation since i like to have free rounds bought for me).

as others have stated, regardless of the tartan, i definitely get more questions about whether i am irish than scottish where i live. accept that the irish kilt is more of a u.s. phenomenon and kilt on proudly.