Is wearing another families tartan inappropriate?

[macwilkin]

Someone needs to provide a "devil's advocate", so I suppose it might as well be me...

Now, let me just preface this with the statement that these are my own personal views -- I don't expect anyone else to follow them:

I will not wear a tartan that I do not have some connection to -- I like to have some sort of symbolic connection to a tartan through family, occupation, residence, organization, etc.

While there is no "right" to wear a tartan, as many have stated here, I do feel that there can be a special symbolism/attachment to a particular tartan for someone. The kilt is a symbolic garment, so I want the tartan I wear to be symbolic as well.

I know that's not necessarily a "popular" view, but I like "personal connection". But that's just me.

Regards,

Todd

[Monkey@Arms]

my question is, is it rude or disrespectful to wear another families tartan? For instance if I really wanted to go out and buy the Buchanan Tartan because I liked it, would that be bad?

I wouldn't want to offend anyone so I thought I'd ask.

Todd,

You expressed your views about your personal choice of tartans eloquently. I just want to point out though that the question posted by Ayin, was not why or how we choose the tartans we wear, but whether it would be wrong or offensive for him to choose a different one.

Best regards,

Jake

[Prester John]

If you like it, wear it!

Who could be offended by you honoring their association?

Whether clan, or family, or branch of service, ethnic heritage or even the company or university tartans.

There is no right to wear tartan. Just wear it and have fun!

If you want a better reason to wear one you like, make up a good answer for the few times you may get asked.

Again, just my two pennies...

[macwilkin]

Todd,

You expressed your views about your personal choice of tartans eloquently. I just want to point out though that the question posted by Ayin, was not why or how we choose the tartans we wear, but whether it would be wrong or offensive for him to choose a different one.

Best regards,

Jake

Jake,

I know -- I just wanted to offer another opinion, and perhaps some understanding of "bluff old traditionalists".

T.

[flairball]

Though I understand the sentiments of feeling connected by tartan association, and the reasoning people suggest learning a little about the clan who's tartan you've decided to wear, I too feel the need to play devil's advocate here.

So, here's the history of clan ( insert name here) tartan. Once upon a time a mill weaving tartans designed a tartan and needed a name for it. They decided to call it the Clan ( insert name from above here) tartan. It was a pretty tartan, and some time later, the clan chief decided rather that having all his clansmen wearing different tartans he'd adopt this tartan as the clans official tartan. If effect an endorsement of the tartan weavers ability to weave and design. By doing this the clan was now uniform in appearance. Of course the mill owner still owned the right to weave and sell this tartan to anyone, as he was a business owner, and prone to trying to make money any way possible. Even naming a tartan after a clan. I'd call that good marketing.

It's all economic people. This is much a part of the clan/tartan history as anything else the clan might have achieved. So next time the tartan police interigate you tell them you do know the history of the tartan, and relay this story.

[Ayin McFye]

Though I understand the sentiments of feeling connected by tartan association, and the reasoning people suggest learning a little about the clan who's tartan you've decided to wear, I too feel the need to play devil's advocate here.

So, here's the history of clan ( insert name here) tartan. Once upon a time a mill weaving tartans designed a tartan and needed a name for it. They decided to call it the Clan ( insert name from above here) tartan. It was a pretty tartan, and some time later, the clan chief decided rather that having all his clansmen wearing different tartans he'd adopt this tartan as the clans official tartan. If effect an endorsement of the tartan weavers ability to weave and design. By doing this the clan was now uniform in appearance. Of course the mill owner still owned the right to weave and sell this tartan to anyone, as he was a business owner, and prone to trying to make money any way possible. Even naming a tartan after a clan. I'd call that good marketing.

It's all economic people. This is much a part of the clan/tartan history as anything else the clan might have achieved. So next time the tartan police interigate you tell them you do know the history of the tartan, and relay this story.

LOL! I love it. I'm going to use that as an excuse the next time someone asks just because, whether i'm wearing my tartan or not. LOL!

[Raptor]

It is perfectly acceptable to wear any tartan you happen to like the look of.
I personally only wear my clan tartans for one reason ultimately: I love the look of them! I'm not a big fan of the louder tartans, so having a dark one as the official clan tartan worked for my asthetics. I dont need the tartan to advertise my clan affiliation, as it's tattooed on the back of my hand.

Well, I also wear my wife's clan tartan occasionally, but apart from marrying into the clan, it's so close to mine that even clan members get them confused occasionally! I'm rambling. Bottom line, wear whatever with pride, & confidence: as most of the uninformed cant tell one tartan from another, they are going to see you as a Scot when kilted regardless of whether it's even in a tartan. Therefore, you are not just representing a particular clan, but a nation, & indeed, the entire celtic race. Good luck & enjoy!

[Tattoo Bradley]

You don't need to re-hash this for me; I am well-aware of the reality of the history of tartan. Believe me, I'm not under any delusion that the "clan tartan" is something from the mists of antiquity and chosen by the first chief of a clan, and I discuss the reality of clan tartans when I give presentations for our Scottish society to local groups.

If you look back at my post, I described my personal beliefs for not wearing a tartan that I have no connection with. I'm not out to convert anyone to that way of thinking, just offering a different POV -- that's all.

Todd

Didn't seem he was "re-hashing" for anyone in particular. If anything, he just seemed to be explaining to those unaware (of which he undoubtedly realizes you are not.)

Brad

[Riverkilt]

For the person who wants to tread lightly there are many fashion tartans offered that look sharp and are not tied to a clan.

Ron

[Phil]

You have to be comfortable with what tartan you're wearing but I can assure you many Scots wear the tartan they like. If anyone asks just say it's your mother's tartan if you feel uncomfortable about it.