So what gives anyway.... ?

[Blu (Ontario)]

Anyone that has spent some time browsing the Xmarks forums is probably aware of the mantra "know your tartan". Interestingly, I've worn a tartan tie for quite a few years and never had a single comment about it. My wife has worn tartan skirts for many years and never had a single question about what tartans they were.

What this seems to boil down to is... "know your tartan if its a kilt and if your a man wearing it."

I couple of years ago, I came across a salesman in a store wearing a tartan waist coat... not because it was a family tartan but because he liked the colors. He admitted that I was the first to ever ask him about it and he'd never really given the matter much thought.

So what gives anyway?? Does "know your tartan" only matter when it's sewn into kilt and worn by a man?? Is the kilt such a strong statement that only then does the tartan take on some significance??? Perhaps it's the kilt that triggers some psychological switches about these matters that are normally in the off position. ??:

That's my personal observation anyway. Perhaps your experience differs from mine.

blu

[GMan]

No Blu, that pretty well sums up my experience. People do seem to wear what colors they like, without giving it much thought. But something about having a kilt on seems to put things in a different perspective.

[Alan H]

Yeah, nobody looks twice at a vest. It's the KILT that gets the questions...

not the tartan, not the skirt...the KILT.

Is that a bad thing or a good thing? Dunno, but it does seem to be the truth of it.

[Riverkilt]

Well dang,

I sure hope folks look at the X Marks tartan vest I'm having sewn up!!

Hoping it goes well with my solid color kilts.

Ron

[Freelander Sporrano]

I think that the non-kilted part of society are so used to seeing Fanasy tartans in clothing and everything from packaging to Biscuit tins that no one ask's . That is until a man puts on a tartan kilt. People in general know that it has some connection with maybe your family or clan or some tangable connection so they ask (Sometimes anyway) other than that is just fancy packaging on biscuits

[yoippari]

I think it is the difference between a plaid shirt (or vest, or packaging), with plaid being the common term for tartans, vs. [sarcasm]an ancient garment worn by celtic warriors who covered themselves in woad and formed clans identified by the pattern of their kilts. [/sarcasm]

I think that with a kilt a tartan seems to have a meaning, it is associated with something, apart from a kilt it is just a pretty pattern (to the layman).

[jfellrath]

My observation is that people really want to categorize your kilt-wearing and sound like they know what they're talking about, so they bring up the tartan's clan. When you're just wearing a tie, or a vest, the question simply isn't there to ask because ties and vests are much more commonly worn.

It's the same sort of reason people ask us if we're pipers or whatever - they have to be able to put you into some sort of category and they talk you up using the knowledge they have (though scant it may be) in an effort to do so.

Then again, I may be a bit jaded about people...

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

I have to agree with Jamie. I think it makes (some) people uncomfortable to see a man in a kilt. Those that are uncomfortable but forthright enough to ask, are trying to fit us into a category. The ones that aren't confident enough to ask questions, just file us away as crazy!

RJI

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Jamie pretty well summed that one up, and Blu... you're not alone with the observation.

The biggest difference with this situation is that we wear our kilts to a load of Irish Pubs, Celtic Festivals, Highland Games, and areas where the tartan has meaning. If you wear it to the mall, chances are that you'll never hear a mention. If you wear it to a Celtic Fest, chances are that you'll have (at least) a mild and friendly inquiry. It's always best to know the tartan so that you can continue the friendly banter and make kilt-wearers look intelligent. You'll also NOT be mistaken for someone that wears the kilt as some "alternative" statement.

I couldn't care less if someone wears tartans in ties, vests or bath robes. They're just not the same to me. Kilts are an expression in my mind. They're a statement of pride, heritage and family. I have UtiliKilts, AmeriKilts, Pittsburgh Kilts and my own kilts for those times when comfort and functionality is primary.

Good thread buddy!

[macwilkin]

I've actually had people ask about some of my tartan ties that I wear sometimes with my "mufti" -- but then, most of the folks asking know that I wear a kilt and I am active in Scottish heritage societies, etc.

I do agree with the consensus here; the kilt seems to attract the questions, whilst ties are more common.

Cheers,

Todd