Can I wear

[piperdbh]

My wife wears my grandmother's family tartan, so you'll have no problem wearing your mother-in-law's tartan. However, if you go to a Games or Burns Night, be prepared for people to ask you about it, and possibly about the history behind that particular tartan.

[KFCarter]

I think you'll find that there is a great satisfaction wearing a tartan that is connected to you through family ties.

[BassClefB]

I think you'll find that there is a great satisfaction wearing a tartan that is connected to you through family ties.

I second that... I own and wear tartans that are not 'my own', which I'm fine with, though I tend to choose tartans that are considered more universal for that reason. I do however have a kilt on the way in the Weathered Lamont tartan (my clan lineage is Lamont), and knowing I'll finally have a kilt in my family tartan will finally bring it all home, so to speak.

[xena]

I apologize for the slight rabbit trail I'm introducing. It's been mentioned that the Stewart Tartan is considered a universal one. I'm under the impression that's the Royal Stewart that is being disussed.

Is the same true for the Black Stewart - is it universal? Or is it just the Royal Stewart?

Thanks!

[CDNSushi]

I have read it is socially acceptable for pretty much anyone to wear any tartan now (except the restricted ones) but I would prefer to wear one that I have an association with.

Quite right -- you've answered your own question.

[billmcc]

Any of the tartans you mentioned would be fine. Also consider the American tartans, such as the American Heritage tartan. See it here: http://www.usakilts.com/store/registered_tartans.php

[slohairt]

Welcome from Canada! While it is nice to wear a tartan that has some personal/familial connection, don't feel bound to that. As most here have said, you can wear any tartan you like.

[raibeart_dubh]

As others have said, you may wear whatever tartan you like. I have a couple of tartans I have no connection to. I feel great wearing tartan in general. Having said that, there is no feeling like wearing a tartan you are connected to, especially if you bear the surname reflected in the tartan. Wearing a tartan you are connected to feels fantastic, like you are on top of the world!

[TNKiltedWolf]

The trend is to wear whatever you think looks nice! I follow this myself to an extent, as I have a Black Stewart (and no affiliation with the clan), but I also own a non-associated tartan (a Nightstalker from SWK). My advice would be to find a tartan associated with your family (whether directly yours or your hubby's) and if those don't suit your fancy find something you do like. There are numerous tartans that have no clan attached to them such as the aforementioned American Heritage tartan. Scotweb has a great tartan finder that is an easy tool to use for hunting. Most of all, enjoy yourself, and welcome to XMarks!!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I apologize for the slight rabbit trail I'm introducing. It's been mentioned that the Stewart Tartan is considered a universal one. I'm under the impression that's the Royal Stewart that is being disussed.

Is the same true for the Black Stewart - is it universal? Or is it just the Royal Stewart?

Thanks!

Royal Stewart and "Black" Stewart are both regarded as "universal tartans".