You can wear a kilt. Or you can wear one of those quasi-kilt things made out of canvas with snaps and pockets and funny looking pleats.

If you choose the former, then as mentioned by others, you'd be advised to know a bit about the tartan you are wearing so you don't look a fool if someone asks "what tartan is that?" You would probably do well to dress along more traditional lines, too. And avoid wearing white socks with your kilt.

Or you can wear the quasi-kilt man skirt sort of thing, in which case it won't matter a fig if you know anything about tartan or not. But at least you can wear white socks.

The choice is up to you as to what you wear and how you wear it. No "historical" tie is required.

Enjoy your kilt.