The 'Right' to wear a Tartan?

[S Mitchell]

My stepson, who has his mother's last name, isn't inclined to wear a kilt. But if he chose to wear the Mitchell tartan, in any fashion, I'd be proud to see it.

Family is so much more than bloodlines.

[Father Bill]

Family is also much more than male bloodlines alone!

[Mel1721L]

Family is also much more than male bloodlines alone!

My father was a mean, nasty sob, I much prefer my mothers family which have the Celtic connection rather than my fathers, who I never even met.

[Steve Ashton]

There are only three rules that govern what Tartan you can, or should wear.

1) Pick a Tartan that has some significance to you. You may carry the name, you may come from or live in that place, or you may simple like the colors.

2) Know what Tartan you are wearing. You will be asked.

3) Wear it with pride.


If anyone tells you that you can only wear your "Clan" Tartan or that you cannot wear a particular Tartan, then I'm afraid that I must say;

Yes, there are Tartan snobs out there but fortunately there are no Tartan cops.



You are a member of this forum. You are fully authorized and encouraged to wear the X Marks Tartan. To many members of this community the X Marks Tartan IS their Tartan.
And if anyone questions that, tell them that you have the Tartan owner's written permission to do so.

[Geoff Withnell]

If you want even more options with a connection, Clan Farquharson is one of the clans composing the Chattan Confederation, which also has a tartan.

[Highwayman]

To all responses so far, I've been overwhelmed by the support regarding my question. Being called 'Brother' by the President of a Clan was the highlight of my weekend! As I move forward with this new knowledge, as a courtesy I've sent an email to the patriarch of my step-family, Joanie's widower who has always spoken highly of my small family as we've mingled with his. This may seem a bit trivial after so many thoughtful responses, but this man (who to this day, is referred to by all who know him as 'Lefty') is a role model of mine and I'm sure he'd be pleased with how my questions have been answered and his final blessing would be a fond memory to look back on.

While I was drawn to kilts for the history and intrigue, the passion for family and heritage among this culture is something I would be very proud to partake in, and identifying with a Clan would be an unexpected honor. Joanie was a passionate, strong-willed woman who always put her family before all else and was never afraid to speak her mind. This unplanned tribute to her would mean the world to me, and I'm going to guess her husband is going to give me the nod.

[Pleater]

When I get around to it, I will make myself a kilt in the Armstrong tartan - I have some ancient Armstrong fabric - for my dad. He wasn't an Armstrong, but he was related to the family of Wilsons who were engineers and who worked for the Armstrong company.
Dad went into raptures over any Armstrong Sidderley car we came across - I think there was a Sidderley Sapphire the owner allowed him to sit in - he was absolutely delighted.

If anyone ever asks I will tell them why I am wearing it.

Dad's granddad Wilson and his brother used to go around working on the boilers in the dark satanic mills around Barnsley, South Yorkshire - they used to take my dad with them to climb into the small spaces and clean them out when he ought to have been at school. They would clean him up, give him sixpence and drop him off at home looking as though butter wouldn't melt, I bet.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[WillowEstate]

When I get around to it, I will make myself a kilt in the Armstrong tartan - I have some ancient Armstrong fabric - for my dad. He wasn't an Armstrong, but he was related to the family of Wilsons who were engineers and who worked for the Armstrong company.
Dad went into raptures over any Armstrong Sidderley car we came across - I think there was a Sidderley Sapphire the owner allowed him to sit in - he was absolutely delighted.

If anyone ever asks I will tell them why I am wearing it.
<snip>
Anne the Pleater :ootd:

The Sapphire and Star Sapphire were truly beautiful cars, hand built by traditional craftsmen. What a fitting tribute to your Dad.