Wearing a tartan if not Celtic heritage

[Smayniac]

I am seeing that to be sure! This has been a great thread and I thank all of you for your input.

I have settled on a MacBeth Ancient for kilt #2. Connection is the meaning of the 'word' MacBeth. As I said in another thread, I was looking for a tartan connected with my faith, and so as MacBeth means 'son of life' or figuratively, 'a religious man', its perfect for me.

Plus -- I just plain like it!

I wonder -- is this thread a candidate for a sticky?

Tony

I too chose MacBeth, although modern, for my first all wool kilt. I chose it for its theatrical associations, and because I like it too. It was also on the remnant page at F&K, making it a most affordable choice.
Bob

[Rex_Tremende]

In another thread some time ago, I pondered this question and came to a conclusion:

I've probably mentioned it before, but the reason I came to kilts in the first place was because I saw them as an alternative to trousers, which, after taking stock of my closet one year, I realized I was totally bored with. I don't see myself as an iconoclast, just a bit of a clothes horse; I like to have options! In my mind at least, the kilt represented acceptable - if out of the ordinary - men's attire I could enjoy mixing it up with, sartorially speaking.

It wasn't until after I joined this group and began listening to others whose motivations were quite different that I started considering the reasons for wearing a kilt in a particular tartan. Many here are quite resolute that the only tartan one should wear should be their own family tartan. Which is fine, if you're Scottish or Scottish-descended and have a particular family tartan to call your own. (All others need not apply, I hear some of the most adamant imply.) Though it turns out I have what I believe to be a decent amount of Scottish ancestry, I don't particularly identify myself that way. Nevertheless, I enjoy playing along and learning about the customs and culture, adopting and employing elements that suit me on the way, doing my best to be appropriately respectful. I don't quite relate to those who wear their tartans like a flag, but I accept that they do.

Try as I might, I'm having trouble connecting with the existing tartans - mostly because they have meanings already ascribed to them. Of the seven tartan kilts that I have owned, currently- or will soon possess, there is only one through which I can draw a tenuous family connection, and it is a 20th century tartan, at that. Many tartans appeal to my eye, but not my soul.

So, I've concluded that maybe for me the best thing that I can do is to wear a tartan that I have designed myself, so that if someone asks, "Is that your family tartan?" I can say, "It is a personal tartan that I designed, and I wear it because it pleases me."

We go on later in the thread to discuss a particular design. As it happens, I've pulled the trigger on getting a finalized version of it woven and I intend to have it registered, perhaps as the Tartan for People with No Clan.

As soon as I can show you the pics, if you like it, you are welcome to wear it any time you like.

Regards,
Rex.

[Pipey]

Three very nice universal tartans which won't break the bank are: Black Watch (a classic), Spirit of Scotland (purple, better not let your wife know Catdad) and Dark Island, a subtle black-on-black.

[Sylvain]

The two tartan kilts I own are Twenty-First Century tartan (from Geoffrey Taylor) and Antarctica (taylored by Matt Newsome).

[Morris at Heathfield]

I don't believe I've seen it mentioned here yet, but I imagine any member of this forum would be entitled to wear the X Marks the Scot tartan.

My choice of a universal tartan, however, would be Caledonia.

[TecScot]

You can get very proper about this. But there are thing to remember.
Tartan doesn't really go back to ancient times. The English, by the Act of Prescription 1747 were trying to stamp out a culture. Anything like tartan of that day was an act of a local weaver. Tartan really began about 1782 when the King of England went to Scotland in what became Stuart Tartan. Chieftains were told to visit the King in Tartan. It set of a scramble.

In modern times a few clans want proof of linage. Most are open to membership from anyone who would like to join, pay dues and participate in social activities. If you like a tartan and like the people, most will welcome you with open arms and help you choose a tartan fro your kilt. Clan MacKenzie is such an open clan and will offer you 100,000 welcomes. Just ask me how I know. My surname is Bavarian Swiss.

Beyond that, others on this thread are correct. There are many "District Tartans". Choose what you like. From Scotland, or the US.

[BoldHighlander]

Tartan doesn't really go back to ancient times. The English, by the Act of Prescription 1747 were trying to stamp out a culture. Anything like tartan of that day was an act of a local weaver. Tartan really began about 1782 when the King of England went to Scotland in what became Stuart Tartan.

I think I know what your saying here, but please humor me & help me understand your statement
Thanks.

[Kiltedmedic]

Welcome to a great big world, my friend. Wear what you wish I say. And I have a tale to back it up.
My mother and I had a discussion once after we saw an Scot military ceremony in which the regiment was traditionally kilted. In said regiment there were several men of other than Europeon descent. Which got me to thinking, Who is more of a "Scot" or "Irishman" or any other nationallity? The American who is "100%" Irish, like my mother, yet never set foot in Ireland (through no fault of her own...7 kids and all) or the 1st, 2nd 3rd...etc...generation person of African or Asien or, goodness sake, Native American who is living their daily life in said country. We decided, and I suggest you agree as my mother will find you if you don't, that nowadays with so much travel and information available, you are what you feel. You should have no more worry about what garment you wear than you would about what music you listen too, what food you like etc. In this world you are likely to find a Jew who likes Mexican food and listens to Rap while wearing cowboy boots and hat waiting for his turn to toss a caber...and that is alright in my book.

[soopamanluva206]

Well I love my kilts and I'm Asian. I wear them casually and I have a few that are standard Scottish and British regiments and some that are associated with clans that are very common. If I did have Celtic or Scottish roots i would probably get a really nice one made from Scotland but some people have very rare tartans associated with there family. I like buying online for the best price that is why I own about 9 kilts. I don't find it disrespectful at all and if someone is that hardcore about it shows more of a bigotry rather than family pride. Its kinda like if I stick my nose up at non Asians who wear native things in my culture, some folks front and some people just enjoy and respect other cultures.

[CDNSushi]

Its kinda like if I stick my nose up at non Asians who wear native things in my culture, some folks front and some people just enjoy and respect other cultures.

Sometimes I wonder what people in general think of me... Here in Japan, I often wear traditional Japanese garb -- from the traditional "fundoshi" underwear, to kimono, samue, jimbe, tabi, etc... I know I raise eyebrows and people have told me that they were surprised to see a non-Japanese wearing these items but no one has ever expressed any disdain or upset for me doing so.

(Although there is one kook Japanese with a Blog who froths at the mouth when non-Japanese want to wear "fundoshi" underwear. He explicitly says that they are for Japanese people ONLY...