Can I wear

[emx]

Hi,

Im new, and looking for some information.
I do not have any assosciation with Clan Tartans in my family that I am aware of.

I have researched quite a bit on the internet, but cant find the answer to these questions.

Would it be socially acceptable for me to wear my husbands mothers tartan?

Also ,my grandfather was in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers and served in WWII, as a regiment they were permitted to wear Leslie, Stewart and Earl of Leven Tartan, as his granddaughter am I also able to wear these?

I have read it is socially acceptable for pretty much anyone to wear any tartan now (except the restricted ones) but I would prefer to wear one that I have an association with.

Thanks
Emx

[McMurdo]

I would say it would be fine to wear your Mother in law's tartan and any and all the tartans your Grandfather may have worn.

[ChattanCat]

You should:
1) Find a tartan you like in your family blood lines. Mother's, Mother's mother, whatever.
2) If you can't find a tartan in your blood line, find a tartan that you like...
3) If the kilt police show up at your door...(they won't, no such thing) tell them you are celebrating your ancestry and bug off...

There are also some tartan's that have been designated as universal: black watch, stewart.

Enjoy,

[Chas]

Hi emx,

I agree with you that there should be some connection to a tartan before you wear it. There are those here who will say that you should wear whatever you like. In the end it comes down to you. If you choose to wear something to which you have no connection - who is going to know? No one, not unless you tell them.

Anyway, welcome to XMarks from Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

[JolyStNicholas]

All good sound advice and you can also wear the Scotland National, the Irish
National, the Black Thistle, and several others, just always wear them with pride and dignity, head held high.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm sure your Mother-in-law would be delighted if you wore her tartan. Likewise wearing your grandfather's regimental tartan would be a grand gesture. (With that in mind, you might want to join the HLI Association.) Both are perfectly proper and socially acceptable.

Might I inquire as to the tartan worn by your husband, and suggest that you might want to consider that as an option as well?

[SteveB]

Hello Emx,
You are the one that must decide on the tartan or tartans that you will wear.
My maternal great grandmother is a MacNeil, and I wear that tartan proudly. My lineage in that clan is documented. My surname is Brown(e), and should be a part of Clan Lamont. I have not traced back to a point of confirmation yet.
I also wear the American Heritage, County Donegal, Gordan Highlanders, and U.S. Air Force tartans. Some of my kilts are solid colour.
There are plaenty of choices out there. You may find the sponsors of this forum websites useful in your search.
BTW introduce yourself on the newbie forum, and tell us a little bit about yourself, so we can give you a proper Xmarks welcome.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

You don't say whether your Grandfather is still living. If he is, he will be mightily honored. (I know how Granddads feel about granddaughters). If he is not, what better way to honor his memory.

Though a veteran myself, I often wear a U S Army commemorative medal to honor my father (also WWII) and several other ancestors dating back to the Revolutionary War.

[Kiltman]

Honoring members of one's family by wearing their tartan is a great compliment to them. So, do it!

[Carolina Kiltman]

Definitely pick a tartan that has some connexion to your family (or your Husband's family). I had several choices, my Mother was a MacLaine of Lochbuie, her maternal Grandmother was a Boyd as was her Paternal Grandmother. My Paternal Grandmother was Irish, but her mother was Scots (both my Father's and my middle name, Leslie). His Paternal Grandmother was Scots (Ross). All of this is just to indicate that one can generally pick whatever is handy and wear it. If one has no Scots connexion, (not your problem) then I would say the best course is to pick one of the district, or military tartans. Just do a bit of research on Clan History, and wear it with pride! FYI I chose the MoL