Other Stewarts

[gilmore]

We talk about clan tartans, free tartans and fashion tartans, and it's really interesting as a history lesson, and I love it, but we can all wear any tartan.

"Can" and "should" are two different things.

[Peter C.]

"Can" and "should" are two different things.

Yes Gilmore, I agree, and whether you wear any tartan or not is a personal choice. We must respect each others personal choices.

I seem to keep quoting Phil from Scotland who wrote in another thread that he finds it interesting that it is mainly non-Scottish members who have strong views on this matter.

Peter

[gilmore]

Yes Gilmore, I agree, and whether you wear any tartan or not is a personal choice. We must respect each others personal choices.

I seem to keep quoting Phil from Scotland who wrote in another thread that he finds it interesting that it is mainly non-Scottish members who have strong views on this matter.

Peter

I suspect it is that Scots, unlike Americans, usually know when they or some one else is wearing something inappropriately, and that it is probably being done intentionally, and thus saying something about the wearer.

Also, Scots who would disapprove---and there are those who do--- are usually far too well mannered to say anything about it, at least not so that the wearer hears it. They have just been brought up that way.

[Peter C.]

I suspect it is that Scots, unlike Americans, usually know when they or some one else is wearing something inappropriately, and that it is probably being done intentionally, and thus saying something about the wearer.

Also, Scots who would disapprove---and there are those who do--- are usually far too well mannered to say anything about it, at least not so that the wearer hears it. They have just been brought up that way.

If you are wearing a kilt, nobody, not even a Scot, can tell if you are a member of the clan the tartan represents, without asking you. The Scots themselves also make everything from carpets to cushions and joke underwear to funny hats in all the popular tartans.
The kilt shops in Scotland also sell any kilt to anybody. The mills sell any tartan to anybody. If they couldn't, prices would go sky high and they would probably go out of business.

As far as your second point is concerned, you certainly get fewer derogatory comments when wearing a kilt in the British Isles than you do here in the US but I don't think that is because of manners. It is probably because everyone in the British Isles knows what a kilt is.
Kilts are part of our history and we always have kilted regiments in our military so children learn that a kilt is an article of mens clothing. Whereas here in the US many people really believe they are looking at a man in a skirt.

Have you ever been to Scotland? If not you should try to go. Not only will you have a great time but I think you will be surprised how few Scots wear kilts, especially out of tourist season. Also at highland games in Scotland they don't have clan tents or clan anything, they just have the games and all are welcome. They do have beer tents

Peter