Can I wear my wife's family too?

[Whidbey78]

I guess at the end of the day my main motive is a bit more selfish than those would assume on this forum...I just want more kilts!!!!!

Nothing wrong with that brother.

In my earlier post, I confess, I thought about it from my own perspective rather than that of someone who follows the rules of propriety as they are in Scotland. I should have asked if you were more concerned with what is proper here or there, and how much of a traditionalist you are. That's what happens when you fire from the hip.

If you are concerned with propriety(as it is done in Scotland that is) then Jock and MoR are correct about how to go about it. If I recall you are Clan Gunn...correct me if I'm wrong(I'm going off my unreliable memory), so if you want to be old-world proper, heed their advice. If not, go for it...you won't hear boo from here.

While it's not the usual practice in the Highlands, there is an option that would satisfy your "tartanlust" and not result in wearing another clan's tartan: Universal tartans. There are tons of them, plus US Military tartans, state and national tartans, etc. I stick to those myself, despite (distant)ancestral connections to a clan, and have a head-spinning array of options!

Of course, there is also the option of contemporary kilts as well...though people will still ask you what tartan you're wearing, even if it's camouflage.

[creagdhubh]

Aye, and this be the case in my circumstance.


I guess at the end of the day my main motive is a bit more selfish than those would assume on this forum...I just want more kilts!!!!!

Hahaha, well said mate. I want more kilts too! And the Gow surname has some splendid looking setts with wonderful variations of shades and colours. I want them all! Hahaha! However, there is indeed a plus to this highly traditional way of thinking...'we' have a natural restriction in how many kilts in how many different tartans we will actually wear in our lifetime, you know what I mean?! If I decided to wear any tartan I fancied, oh my gosh, I would be broke all of the time and would drive myself crazy since there are soooo many to choose from!

Slainte,

[robbiethepiper]

For centuries it has been the tradition in Scotland for a gentleman who does not belong to any clan to be adopted into his wife's clan. If, on the other hand, he belongs to another clan (in the same way a soldier belongs to his regiment or a sailor belongs to his ship) then it is the custom that the wife leaves her clan and enters that of her husband.

As the clan system applies to the kilt, the custom has evolved whereby a gentleman only wears the tartan associated with his surname as this is an outward manifestation of the intangible bond of loyalty that exists between a clansman and his chief. Now, if you have no ties to another clan, then custom would dictate that you formally become a member of your wife's clan, and then wear that clan tartan as your own, handing it down to your children as your family's "clan tartan".

I fully appreciate that some on this forum revel in wearing the tartan of every single Scottish ancestor to which they can lay claim. Such is not the case in Scotland, where a gentleman wears a tartan kilt, not a tartan patchwork of kilts, and only wears the tartan associated with his surname.

As always MoR is correct and precise. I wish you all happiness with your bride, but consider this also - With care, a good quality kilt should last more than 20 years. Even with care, the longest any of my three wives lasted was eight years. When making investments, a canny Scot should always be aware that value can sometimes go down......Robbie

[Spartan Tartan]

If you just want more kilts, I seacond the universal tartan idea. There are plenty to fill your kilt kabinet. Personally, I keep it more simple. Being Cornish, rather than Scottish, I don't have a clan or family tartan. My wife is Scottish, McNaughton, and so my son "has a claim".
Back to my point, I love all the colours and tartans out there, but will limit myself to those which are relevant to me. I prefer the district tartan route since they represent where my family and I came from.

In the end, if you want to wear a kilt in your wife's clan tartan, go for it. Just be sure to wear it properly so as not to "disgrace" another clan. My wife certainly wouldn't mind if I wore her family's ...

[creagdhubh]

For centuries it has been the tradition in Scotland for a gentleman who does not belong to any clan to be adopted into his wife's clan. If, on the other hand, he belongs to another clan (in the same way a soldier belongs to his regiment or a sailor belongs to his ship) then it is the custom that the wife leaves her clan and enters that of her husband.

As the clan system applies to the kilt, the custom has evolved whereby a gentleman only wears the tartan associated with his surname as this is an outward manifestation of the intangible bond of loyalty that exists between a clansman and his chief. Now, if you have no ties to another clan, then custom would dictate that you formally become a member of your wife's clan, and then wear that clan tartan as your own, handing it down to your children as your family's "clan tartan".

I fully appreciate that some on this forum revel in wearing the tartan of every single Scottish ancestor to which they can lay claim. Such is not the case in Scotland, where a gentleman wears a tartan kilt, not a tartan patchwork of kilts, and only wears the tartan associated with his surname.

I completely agree with you Scott and echo your words. My wife is a Robertson, and even though I am quite fond of her clan's tartan, as all Robertson variants are extremely attractive, I would never wear a kilt in the Robertson sett. My wife will sometimes wear a sash in her Robertson ancient tartan, typically at Highland games and other informal day activities, however for more formal ocassions, she will wear a Macpherson tartan sash, in which she has all the same tartans as I do in my kilts in order to match - which is highly appropriate for evening attire.

Luckily, I am of Highland ancestry, and am a Macpherson through my father's line, thus, I wear tartans of the Clan Macpherson and that is simply it - no other tartans from any other clans or families are worn by myself. Call me a purist, a staunch traditionalist, or whatever...it matters not to me, for that is where my beliefs in wearing Highland attire shall remain. My mother is a Smith (originally MacGowan), and I am aware of the Gow family tartan, which are numerous in shades and setts and like the Robertson tartans, are all quite handsome as well. However, I choose not to wear my kilt in any of those particular tartans - only Macpherson tartans - following the tradition of my father's line and my clan. Naturally, everyone's ancestry is a case by case basis, and indeed will vary accordingly - that is a given and is to be respected.

My wife, Stephanie, with Sandy MacLean (JSFMACLJR) wearing her rather short in length, Robertson tartan sash in ancient colours - she is extremely proud of her Scottish ancestry (Robertson of Struan).


My wife and I at our rehearsal dinner, just prior to our wedding day. We are both wearing the Macpherson red tartan in the modern colours.



Beannach'd libh,

[Meggers]

My wife, Stephanie, with Sandy MacLean (JSFMACLJR) wearing her rather short in length, Robertson tartan sash in ancient colours - she is extremely proud of her Scottish ancestry (Robertson of Struan).


My wife and I at our rehearsal dinner, just prior to our wedding day. We are both wearing the Macpherson red tartan in the modern colours.



Beannach'd libh,

I know this is an old post but your wife is gorgeous!!! I love her outfits with the sash.

*thinks about getting a sash now*

[ohiopiper]

I am of german heritage, no scottish at all. I wear MacKay, my wifes' family connection.

[MacCathmhaoil]

I plan on ordering a Murray of Atholl in honour of my late father-in-law, he was always right there with a cold beer and a warm smile. By all means wear your wife's family tartan, in fact if you want to make some big brownie points tell any one who asks that it is to honour your beautiful wife!

[CMcG]

My soon-to-be wife has ties with the Donalds, is it proper for me to get a couple tanks in this tartan and claim it or is that only open to her and our offspring? Thanks rabble!

I've bolded a couple words from the OP to help me formulate an answer. It is not proper to claim the tartan of a clan that one does not belong to. Nonetheless, most clan tartans are unrestricted, so it is open to wear them.

I wear Douglas because of an aunt on my mother's side (through marriage). She's the only member of my family who was actually born in Scotland and she was instrumental in helping me gather the gear to go kilted to my high school graduation. I don't claim Douglas as my own clan but it sure is a gorgeous tartan!

That being said, now that I have a clan tartan kilt in MacQuarrie (related to my surname) as well as a couple district tartans, I'm less inclined to wear Douglas... I have thought about selling it, but it is my only 16oz kilt and I like it toooooo much

[Fedgunner]

I figured I'd chime in.
I currently have a Campbell kilt on order from Celtic Croft.
It is my wife's clan.
Were I living in Scotland, (or visiting) I would adhere to the traditions there, but I'm in the US. I will wear it to flatter my wife, and to " in your face" the anti-Campbell sentiment in my area.