What kilt 'should' I wear?

[Beery]

To Southern Breeze and Millar:

Thanks for the advice and the link, but I guess what I'm asking is "what are the most restrictive rules for the wearing of the kilt that will still allow me to wear it?" I realise that no one can stop me wearing what I want to wear (and trust me, if I build up a collection of kilts I'm sure to wear many tartans that will not be ones I'm 'permitted' to wear). But just for fun I'd like to be steered towards a tartan that everyone (except perhaps those who insist on verifiable clan ancestry) could agree that I'm welcome to wear. In other words I want to find out which tartan the 'rules' say I should wear - just for fun - after all, I may hate it and not want to wear it at all. Basically, I have no real preference as to colour, so I'm attempting to use the biases of others to steer me towards a tartan. It's sort of a game based on respect for the opinions of the kilt aficionados - I feel it makes the game more interesting if it's driven by rules more complex and meaningful than simply choosing a tartan at random. Sure, I could choose the Black Stewart, and it would be fine, but in light of my not really caring about the colour, giving the choice some sort of rationale appeals to me.

[Jerry]

Like I said in the other thread, if you are concerned about expense, check out Stillawter. If you don't mind spending anywhere from about $250 to as much as $700, check out the other kiltmakers you will hear about on this forum. They will all have some generic tartans. Since you say tou have Welch ancestry, there are several who offer a Welch national tartan.

[Beery]

I've noticed there's a Welsh national tartan, and I think I even saw a New Zealand national tartan. Does England have a national tartan other than the government one?

[Rigged]

If I was going to buy a Shelby Ford Mustang, I'd want to know a lot about Mustangs and the history behind the Shelby. It's a car that people who know cars would ask me about and I should have answers.

I feel the same way about tartans. I wear a Stewart tartan and I took the time to learn something about the Stewarts and my familiy's relation to the Stewarts, in case someone asks -- and people have asked.

[macwilkin]

I've noticed there's a Welsh national tartan, and I think I even saw a New Zealand national tartan. Does England have a national tartan other than the government one?

There are several tartans associated with English counties:

www.district-tartans.com/british.htm

And I should point out that the Government Sett, also known as the Black Watch tartan is not really an "English" tartan, since it was worn by a Scottish regiment, and a Highland one to boot, in service of the British crown.

I would recommend a district tartan, such as the Mass. state tartan, the US tartan, or one of the English or Welsh tartans. I personally like to see more folks wearing these, and the whole concept of a district tartan is very historical. Matt Newsome's web site that I cited above is a plethora of information on district tartans.

Cheers,

Todd

[Beery]

There are several tartans associated with English counties:

www.district-tartans.com/british.htm...

Thanks for that. Since I was born in Sheffield, that would be a nice choice for me - I like the colours too.

Eventually I'll probably get a Black Stewart, an Ancient Cooper and a Sheffield. Maybe also a Durham, since that's where my dad was from.

Thanks also to everyone else who responded. I appreciate all the replies.

[highlander_Daz]

The Tartan I reccomend to people who want a Non clan Tartan is "flower of Scotland" it was named after the National anthem of Scotland (Flower of Scotland) Written by Roy Williamson of "The Corries, Williamson had connections with clan Gunn so the tartan is similar, its one of my Favourite Tartans, my family Tartans are Cameron and Gordon, but I have a "Flower of Scotland" 8 yard Kilt from Hector Russell, and here I am !

[Sir Robert]

You asked about the most restrictive tartan that would be the Balmoral Tartan, which is restricted to the British Royal Family, Nobody will sell you the tartan material. Now if you wove your own and sewed it into a kilt I am not sure that anyone would notice nor would the cops arrest you.

Even though Scotland and Germany do protect heraldry (coats of arms and titles) nobody protects tartans.

Because you have Welsh blood, pick a pretty Welsh Tartan. The fact of the matter is that only a few tartans out of thousands can be traced with any certanty to any Clan and few people can trace themselves with any certainty to any Clan. So it is all 18th C. BS anyway.

[Mr. Kilt]

I don't have any Scottish blood that I'm aware of, but I do have an Irish background. My dad's family came from the area around Larne, Co. Antrim in N. Ireland. I could wear the Co. Antrim tartan, but I don't particularly like the colours in it.

I'm not one to stick to "traditions" as far as tartan selection goes, so my first tartan kilt was a Black Watch. My second was a budget "Pride of Scotland" just because the price was right and I liked the colours. My third is a Hunting McLeod, again because I like the look of the tartan. I also have a kilt in the Gordon tartan on order. Some day I'd like to get kilts in some of the Canadian provincial tartans, as well as the City of Calgary tartan. Just have to win the lottery first. LOL

As Jimmy Carbomb always tells us...wear what you like, but try to find out a little bit about the tartan you choose. Now go out and enjoy!!