Wearing kilts of other tartans than your clans.

[macwilkin]

Here's my issue:

I would personally lean toward respecting clan tartans. Unfortunately that places a vast majority of tartans out of my reach. I am Irish by pure patrilineal descent, German and Norwegian by percentages. So there are a few national tartans I could wear, or I could go with the Oregon tartan (if I can find it). But those are rarely listed in the "stock tartans" on most sites, so the cost goes up. Other than that, I can go with a few generic (most of which I don't like) or fashion tartans (also rarely in stock).

This makes it pretty tricky if I want to buy anything but a "Nightstalker" if I want a standard SWK. All of the others are family or Marine tartans, so I don't feel right.

What's a guy to do? Oh well, it'll probably be a while before the wife lets me buy another kilt anyway

Kevin,

If you're interested in the Oregon State Tartan, you should talk to Matt Newsome, Barb T. or Kathy Lare -- all three can order small runs of tartans from weavers. That was how I got my Iowa tartan kilt from Matt.

I like the Oregon tartan, btw. It's one I could wear, as some of my Scottish ancestors moved to Portland from Iowa after the Civil War.

Regards,

Todd

[werewolves]

Kevin,

If you're interested in the Oregon State Tartan, you should talk to Matt Newsome, Barb T. or Kathy Lare -- all three can order small runs of tartans from weavers. That was how I got my Iowa tartan kilt from Matt.

I like the Oregon tartan, btw. It's one I could wear, as some of my Scottish ancestors moved to Portland from Iowa after the Civil War.

Regards,

Todd

Yeah, it is a nice tartan. Hmm, 8 yards, pleated to the yellow stripe.... [sigh]

At any rate, that sort of illustrates my point though. Any tartan I "have a right" to wear is likely going to cost quite a bit more than an off-the shelf Gordon (for example). Well, no use complaining about it, it's not like there is a law stopping me from wearing a clan tartan, in the end it's my choice to do it or not. But man is that Weathered Mackenzie SWK tempting...

[macwilkin]

Yeah, it is a nice tartan. Hmm, 8 yards, pleated to the yellow stripe.... [sigh]

At any rate, that sort of illustrates my point though. Any tartan I "have a right" to wear is likely going to cost quite a bit more than an off-the shelf Gordon (for example). Well, no use complaining about it, it's not like there is a law stopping me from wearing a clan tartan, in the end it's my choice to do it or not. But man is that Weathered Mackenzie SWK tempting...

I think you'd be surprised at the cost, though...is it going to be more expensive than an "off the peg" kilt? Yes -- but, look at it as an investment. All three kiltmakers I mentioned have excellent reputations for producing quality garments that can be passed on as a heirloom.

Regards,

Todd

[flairball]

I like the Oregon tartan, btw. It's one I could wear, as some of my Scottish ancestors moved to Portland from Iowa after the Civil War.

Understanding you're a traditionalist, I see this a bit differently. The Oregon tartan is one you could wear because there is nothing in place to stop you. It is also one you wouldwear because some of your ancestors moved to Portland from Iowa.

The difference between conventional, and un-conventional in a nut shell.