Wearing kilts of other tartans than your clans.

[Glen C]

I prefer to wear my own clans tartan, of which I have 6 different options. In addition, I also own a universal tartan kilt. Personally, I would have no problem wearing the tartans of the women who married into my direct line of decent (Young, Wilson, Fraser etc...). But as for the tartans of other clans, I'll let those with blood ties wear them. I have enough options without stepping on someone else's toes.

[Ozman1944]

If I like it , I wear it, if I don't like it, I don't wear it. Life is way too short to be obsessing over protocols of a past time. Especially as very few Scots of today have ever worn a Kilt at all, and could probably care less.

I just wear 'em cos I like 'em!

[Kilted in Maine]

Before joining X-Marks, I would not have dreamed about wearing a tartan for which I had no affiliation. My desire was to obtain a Dunbar and/or State of Maine tartan kilt. I have ties based on family history and state pride to each tartan respectively. Searching for those kilts led me to X-Marks. However, financial constraints have made this desire economically unfeasible at the present time. Someday I hope to own one or each of the kilts.

However, after joining X-Marks my horizon broadened and I no longer feel that I am still confined to wearing only tartans of “my clan”.

My first kilt was an SWK Irish National. I found I could honor my Irish roots as well at the Scottish. The pricing made it feasible to afford a kilt for myself and two sons.

I continued my search here, and Google, for an affordable Dunbar/SOM and I stumbled across an 8+ yd Stewart Old Modern 16 oz in my size (I am not a “common” sized individual). I hesitated since I have no affiliation with that tartan but I couldn’t resist the opportunity given the price.

So, I know have 2 kilts with a wish list for two more. Of the two I have, I only have an affiliation with one, the Irish National. What I have learned here is that it is OK to wear what looks good and what you like. While my wish list still contains those two tartans and I “prefer” to obtain tartans with an affiliation, I would not hesitate if an opportunity arose in the future.

[Standard]

Interesting line, and one of which I have pondered myself in the past. As one poster stated I am indeed an "American Mutt." The most recent arrival to America would be my 3rd great grandfather from what was called Prussia at the time. My Scottish/Welsh/ScotchIrish/English roots have all been in America since at least the late 1700's to early 1800's. As such I have no close ties to any clan in particular, but to several through different lines of ancestors.

I'd like to stick with tartans from these clans, but given my (any many here in the States) situation, I would not offhandedly be opposed to the wearing of a tartan from a clan which I am not necessarily closely associated with. There are many nice district tartans and commercial tartans to choose from. Bottom line for me is to try to stick as close to my roots as possible, and to respect those of another clan whose tartan I may choose to wear.

[Galb]

I am one of those that want only to wear their clan's tartan, but do not have any problems wearing fashion or universal tartans. My first kilt was a Scottish National Tartan. I bought it at a Highland Games because I liked it, it had no clan affiliation, and it was pretty close to the Galbraith tartan. My second kilt was a Black Watch, or government sett. My third was a Royal Stewart. Now, the Royal Stewart can be argued that it can be affiliated with a clan, it can also be argued that it is a universal tartan. My last kilt I purchased was finally my clan's, a Galbraith. All of my kilts are acrylic.

Currently, I am thinking of possibly getting three more kilts in the future, all universal tartans: Black Stewart, Nightstalker, and Pride of Scotland. The Pride of Scotland may very well be the next one. The other two are still being debated if they will ever be purchased. The only definite kilt I will be purchasing sometime in the future is another Galbraith kilt (maybe both ancient and modern) but in wool. I do want to have that "tank". ;)

[LANCER1562]

My trad kilt is in my clan tartan however, I'm planning to get a SWK in Black stewart because I like how it looks. I may also purchase the Black Watch for the same reason. I like the Sportkilt US Army for it's looks and because I served in that branch. If I find there are septs of my clan, I may buy a kilt in that tartan because of the family connection.

[Macman]

The only clan tartan that I'll wear is my own clan. I will happily wear some universal tartans as well. What anyone else chooses to wear is their business.

[gilmore]

...
I have often wondered if this seemingly natural caution,of the Highlanders, is a result of centuries of clan and family feuds where the airing of opinions may have resulted in dire and possible terminal consequenses.

I suspect you're onto the right track. The same or similar happens or happened in the rural American South, where until recently most people knew well and/or were related to each other in their locale. It sometimes happened that an ill-spoken opinion caused decades-long breeches, enough that many are reticent to express opinions that they know others will differ over vehemently, especially politics and religion, as they say. There were enough examples of family members alienated from each other for decades, sometimes generations, to serve as cautionary tales.

In cases of opinions expressed of others there is a formulaic remedy, to end an ad hominem opinion with the phrase, "bless his/her heart," as in, "She certainly moved to Atlanta and became a drug-addled slut, bless her heart."

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm with Jock on this one-- I wear my family tartan, not the one of some family to which I may be distantly connected. I probably wouldn't wear a kilt at all if I wasn't Scottish-- I admire the culture of the Rajputs, but I don't wear a turban and jodhpurs. That said, it doesn't phase me in the least to see a non-Scot in a kilt any more than it does seeing a Scot in cowboy gear line dancing in Oban.

How does that saying go? "Aye, there's naught queer as folk."

[muirkirkca]

We should count ourselves lucky that there is such an interest in wearing a kilt and thereby maintaining an corresponding industry in Scotland and North America. Personally I have no problem with anyone wearing my clan tartan as long as the garment has a reasonable appearance and there is some appreciation of origins. There are lots of ties and scarfs in McDonald dress tartans and I doubt if anyone takes offence to that.
In summary I have a pretty broad approach to the whole subject.