Can You Wear ANY Clan Branch Tartan?

Can you wear the tartan of a branch of your clan that you are not a member of? Or are any fair game so long as you are a member of the clan in general?

What if you don't like your clan tartan? Are there alternatives to the main clan tartan if you don't like it?

--------------------------------------------------
WE HAVE A PASSION FOR HERITAGE

Located in Spring City PA, USA Kilts is a team of American kilt makers who have been making men’s kilts in authentic clan tartans since 2003. We craft a full range of kilts right in our shop, from our budget casual kilt to our traditional machine sewn, hand-finished 8-Yard kilt. We specialize in all aspects of highland wear and Celtic clothing including Scottish, Irish and Welsh kilts and accessories.

ONLINE:

[WICKEDMAN]

I'm a Londoner with the surname CARR. Thanks to the great passion and history of this channel, I decided what Tartan I could present. I knew CARR and the KERRs had connections. Then to research and discover Irish CARRs are immigrants from Klan KERR! So my Klan is KERR and will definitely purchase Kerr Tartan as connection with my father's heritage! Cheers boys for inspiring me to investigate further my heritage.

[SimulationSimulacrum]

From McDonnell, descent from Alexander III in St. Giles. Our last name now is Alexander. This is so cool to watch

[davidmacgregor]

The Royal Stuart tartan seems to be universally worn by every man and his dog, when I was young I lived in Scotland, I attended church wearing an Alexander tartan kilt because I liked the colours in that tartan. These days I wear either the MacGregor modern or the Cameron tartan, my paternal great grandmother was a Cameron.

[maxwellfan]

Bearing in mind tartan cloth (plaid) was traditionally coloured from natural dyes taken from local surroundings, many modern clan tartans are relatively new, hence some tend to be brighter. Ancient, some hunting, and muted tartans offer a much subtler alternative against brightness and are more likely to be close to the original colours of cloth. I like them.
As to whether anyone can wear any tartan irrespective of clan I personally don't think it matters, the main thing is promote the idea of kilt wearing as opposed to trousers and shorts etc..and having free choice. Some might say that it can even even pay's respect to another clan. Let's face it, it's never bothered women, Prince Charles, or the Duke of Edinburgh (who's definitely not Celtic). So if it's good enough for Royalty?
Some people also commission their own tartans.

[malaisity]

Last winter I was standing in a grocery line behind a man wearing a kilt. He was looking stressed, none to happy woman waiting for him, so I leaned in and quietly asked, "So tell me...what are you wearing under your kilt?" He smirked and said, "Socks." I laughed and his day was lifted by a lass asking about his kilt.

[threeicys]

I am descendant from Douglas, Moffat, Maxwell, Stewart, Saltoun, Borthwick, Halyburton and many more. My great grand was a Moffat and I have her photos and stories along with her hat pins. She is my gateway ancestor. I adore family history!

[adamguthrie]

You CAN wear any tartan. That is not to say you SHOULD.

[rockraprecords]

Good to see another family clan of my family I always liked that one it's neat colorful but pattern isn't all over easy to read but I have lots of tartans no such thing as to much when you're whole family is Irish and Scottish

[bassetstar]

I’m glad you mentioned the Buchanan tartan on the video. Clarior Hinc Honos.

[davidstafford]

Born and raised in Scotland. Short answer is yes. Really when it comes under scrutiny is weddings. But even then it's not a big deal. I much prefer wearing my Falkirk tartan which is the town in which I was born and raised and is the oldest known tartan in Scotland. Most Scottish people really are so friendly they don't care what tartan people wear. I think the American viewpoint is that its this sacred clan vestment that only a descendant should wear but its just not the case. You'll find more abjections from an Englishman wearing a kilt. That's a no go area

[liambuchanan]

thank you so much for pronouncing the name buchanan correctly

[williamdezso]

I have the Buchanan modern and I love it

[radiojacked]

I never knew our tartan had a weathered version, but I love the bright colors of the modern version

[willneverforgets]

I like all sorts of tartans, the choice is very personal, (clans, by colours, by district, other.) and as you guys stated in other videos, you should be able to come with an answer when you're asked. But choose whatever you like, nobody is going to argue with you for your choice.

[brianprendota]

Wallace clan has allowed non clan members to wear theirs but there are many tartans that have no associated (pride of Scotland, Scottish national ect.) That can be worn and I never was offended if someone wore a kilt of a clan they weren't suspose to. At least they were wearing a kilt.

[michaelodonoghue]

I remember a story about a Head of the Clan who attended a Clan Gatherings in the United States at the Invitation of the Organising Committee.
As he entered the Venue an American member of the Tartan Police challenged him for the Tartan he was wearing and for its inappropriateness.
Disentangling himself from the Opinionated individual he continued forward to find the Organising Committee.

Having been Introduced to the Clan Gathering as Chief of the Clan, his first words were directed towards any unidentified members of the Tartan Police who might be present here today, to educate them as to why his Tartan was entirely appropriate for him to wear to this Gathering here today.

Hopefully somebody learnt something that day.
Both about Civility and about Clan History.

[IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Great question! I have multiple family lines connecting me to Blair, Mackenzie, Cathcart, etc etc 😂

[TheRaySquirrel]

I am so glad he used Buchanan as an example. I decend from that clan and it is such a bold tartan my partner hates it, I love it. For my first tartan kilt I've debated with getting the ancient, muted, or even entirely different tartan.

[alabamasmokeywilson]

My Mother is from the Chattan Clan .I love this tartan. It has a lot of red and yellow

[samanthamitchellprete]

I love my Mitchell Tartan! I literally use to use the pattern everywhere In my old childhood home mainly associated with my father who is scot-irish and scandinavian decent. It's beautiful both the ancient and the modern! I bought a bunch of accessories for my daughters(: