Regarding the Tyneside Scottish site, generally one does not wear a belt with the Prince Charlie jacket, because generally one wears a waistcoat with a Prince Charlie and one shouldn't really wear the two together (there are exceptions to that "rule" as well, mind you). I've seen the Prince Charlie worn without the waistcoat, with a dress belt and buckle, and thought it looked fine. I just don't like the look of the two together.

But beware sites that give the "rules" of Highland dress using lots of words like "always" and "must" and "never." For example, further down that same page it says that a Prince Charlie is "always worn with ghillie brogues." Excuse me? I know plenty of sharp-dressed Scots who would never dream of wearing ghillie brogues, Prince Charlie or not.

Then it says a Prince Charlie is "always" worn with a bow tie, but immediately following says a lace jabot looks great, too. Well, if a lace jabot is acceptable, then it is not "always" worn with a bow tie, is it?

Sigh.

And the bit about clan tartan. Goodness gracious!

In reality, it is true that one really only belongs to one clan -- that is, according to the clan system of old where one swore loyalty to one's chief. You couldn't divide your loyalties.

However, I would argue that for most people today "belonging to a clan" has more to do with honoring one's ancestry and less to do with one's willingness to take up arms and report to the summons of one's chieftain. I know lots of folks who are members of more than one clan society, representing different lines in their ancestry. They do so out of an interest in their geneaology, as a means of making connections, gathering more data, and celebrating their heritage with others who hold that heritage in common. If you have the time and energy for it, why not belong to more than one group?

But in any case, the way one really displays one's loyalty to a clan is by displaying the crest badge of said clan. The crest represents the cheif and the strap and buckle signifies that your loyalty to the chief. Not the tartan. Tartans are worn symbolically but the meaning there is largely of importance only to the wearer.

That nonsense about those who don't really bear the clan name, but only a "sept name" being allowed only to wear the hunting tartan is just that -- nonsense.

For me, my life is complicated enough without having to worry about someone else's made up rules telling me how to dress. :-)~