Since I started this brouhaha with what I thought was a simple question, I should probably clarify my original intentions. Facebook, Twitter and texting are denigrating my writing skills and I probably left out some pertinent information.

First off I should state that I wear the kilt as a comfortable fashion choice. I have no clan affiliation. My ancestors, as far as I can physically trace back, are of eastern European heritage. So unless a travelling celtic warrior/explorer/tradesman had his way with a willing barmaid a long time in the past I personally don't feel it would be right for me to wear a tartan that was not released to the general public. Geographically, my maternal grandmothers family was from an area near Warsaw that was part of a royal land grant to celtic settlers; but I don't think that's enough of a tie.

I was pre-pubescent during the Civil War Centennial. Much to the consternation of family and educators at the time, my sympathies were with the South. I don't want to open another "racist" can of worms; but it was my understanding, and still is, that although the slavery issue was the underlying cause, the main reason the war was fought was over the Southern states right to cecede and form a separate sovereign union.

That being said, the reason I am considering the Confederate Memorial tartan is a color choice. All my kilts to date are rather dark (Black watch, Black Stewart, solid black etc.). I want to find one in some lighter shades and still not cross the line between universal and restricted.

Someone mentioned in one of the responses that I should entertain one of the state tartans. I lived most of my life in New York. I cut geographical roots when I left because of a divorce. Since then I have lived in Florida, Tennessee, and now Mississippi and it's probably not my last move. I just don't feel affiliated (?) with any state. I have considered the American Heritage tartan; but again it is on the dark side.

I will take everybody's comments under consideration and ponder some more whether or not I will get a kilt in Confederate Memorial. Thank you one and all for the input.