[WouldaShoulda]

For those who choose to wear their family's tartan, where is the best place to get tartan clothing items?

A Caber toss??

 

[WouldaShoulda]

TANGIENTIAL:
Would you wear Skull and Bones if you were not?

...a Wannabe??

No!!

 

[SartoNYC]

'bones

the unique logo is sometimes worn discreetly by bonesmen, but mostly at the ------- Foundation meetings

 

[jph712]

Never trust a Campbell.

https://www.electricscotland.com/history/glencoe/

As a member of Clan Campbell, I resemble that remark.

(also, Clan Gregor and Clan MacMillan, and am married to a Sutherland)

 

[superpacker]

I think this is all sound advice. I agree with it. I think I will wear my beautiful dress gordon tie and scarf with pride, and when I do go to scottland (fingers crossed), I will just leave them at home on both accounts of respect and to avoid being to touristy.

On the issues of tartan and regimental ties, I wish we could interview several people in these catagories and hear their real thoughts. I have just recently made a dear aquantence of a man from England who flew with the RAF as well as his grandfather, and has a slew of striped ties that he earned at boarding school. He says he is absolutley delited when I wear my RAF tie, or Argyle and Sutherland, or Royal Navy, etc. He says he is so glad that someone here knows the significance of those patterns and gives them the same respect and admiration. Now when I know we will be meeting I try to go out of my way to wear a regimental. We both kinda look forward to the bit of nostalgia we can bask in.

 

[tda003]

To quote from the late J. Charles "Scotty" Thompson, a friend who was a tartan and Highland dress authority, "...the first thing to remember about this question is that most people take it much too seriously. To begin with, there is no such thing as the 'right' to wear any tartan."

I encourage those with an interest to read his book, "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt (rev. 3rd ed.) I expect it's still out there.

Folks should feel flattered you've honored their clan.

 

[Memphis88]

To quote from the late J. Charles "Scotty" Thompson, a friend who was a tartan and Highland dress authority, "...the first thing to remember about this question is that most people take it much too seriously. To begin with, there is no such thing as the 'right' to wear any tartan."

I encourage those with an interest to read his book, "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt (rev. 3rd ed.) I expect it's still out there.

Folks should feel flattered you've honored their clan.

Good point. I think it'd be pretty cool to see my clan's tartan being worn by people.

 

[superpacker]

It's comforting and reassuring to see someone with an official claim to a tartan agree!

 

[Doctor Damage]

To quote from the late J. Charles "Scotty" Thompson, a friend who was a tartan and Highland dress authority, "...the first thing to remember about this question is that most people take it much too seriously. To begin with, there is no such thing as the 'right' to wear any tartan."

I encourage those with an interest to read his book, "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt (rev. 3rd ed.) I expect it's still out there.

Folks should feel flattered you've honored their clan.

Absolutely great advice.

 

[Forbes]

To answer Mephis88's earlier question about where to obtain good-quality Tartan items, I'd recommend the Scottish Lion of North Conway, N.H. and North Carolina.

I've followed the example of my father and grandfather and ordered from the Lion for years. They carry a full line of Locharron products and, for most clans, tartan products in the various ancient, weathered, dress and modern variations. In particular interest to members here, they carry caps, scarves, ties, bows and cummerbunds among countless other accessories.

They're quite reasonable and, from my experience, easy to deal with by phone and over the Web.

In terms of etiquette, I'd concur with NavalGent's assessment. While not all of my groomsmen are members of our clan, they all wore ancient Forbes ties in dupion silk from Locharron.

 

[fishertw]

Great advice!

To quote from the late J. Charles "Scotty" Thompson, a friend who was a tartan and Highland dress authority, "...the first thing to remember about this question is that most people take it much too seriously. To begin with, there is no such thing as the 'right' to wear any tartan."

I encourage those with an interest to read his book, "So You're Going to Wear the Kilt (rev. 3rd ed.) I expect it's still out there.

Folks should feel flattered you've honored their clan.

I kept a copy of the book close at hand while assembling my kit. Mr. Thompson was a great resource for those interested in Scottish dress rather than Scottish costume. For those also wanting a good source for Scottish dress items, Everything Scottish in Linville NC at the foot of Grandfather Mountain is excellent. They carry clothing and piping and drumming supplies.
tom

 

[jamgood]

Hoot mon! (Anglicized Gaelic for "What ho!", the original of which is the New Amsterdamian urban patois "Yo, Dude", which dates its first usage to 125th St. @ Lex. Ave., 10035, circa 1637 A.D.)

(Is that Cruiser on the right?)

https://www.carolinatartan.com/links.htm

www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/********/********.html

One digresses, yet agin

 

[Naval Gent]

^Don't forget Clan McBubba of Walhalla SC:

Making a mockery since 2002.

Scott

 

[rojo]

universal tartans

There are a number of tartans known as "universal tartans," which anyone can wear. If you don't have a clan connection and are uncomfortable with the "Wear Whatever You Like" school of thought, pick one of the universal tartans. Two of the best known and most widely available are Black Watch and Royal Stewart.

 

[KCKclassic]

As a member of Clan Campbell, I resemble that remark.

:aportnoy:RIGHT ON!!! we campbells are not to be messed about with!

for the record, I'd feel odd in a tartan that wasn't in my lineage, yet have no problem with regimental ties. Strange dichotomy, that. One of my proudest purchases was a Campbell wool tie I picked up when 17. Still have it, still wear it any chance I get. Such lovely colours.

---thomas CAMPBELL

 

[Jovan]

What I want to know is how many Scots would actually undress you in a public place (no pun intended) for wearing their family tartan.

I have two tartan ties that were obviously made in the '60s judging by their width and construction method. They were labeled with the family name and were from "The Irish Linen Shop" in Bermuda.

 

[vwdolly]

For those who choose to wear their family's tartan, where is the best place to get tartan clothing items?

A few years ago I used to hand sew kilts for a living. The Scottish lady Pat that i worked for takes orders from all over the world.
www.houseoftartans.co.uk

Denise

 

[Pr B]

Color Me Beautiful

I tend to use whichever tartan I like the colors and pattern in.

I appreciate the "respect my clan" thing. It is rather like wearing military unit identifying items, and not having served in that unit. Nevertheless, the authenticity of the whole tartan scheme is more romantic than historic. So it's hard to take too seriously. Besides, the tartan I am "authorized" to wear is rather blah.

If I were going to an event where tartans would be worn like school colors, then I'd wear my clan tartan. If it is regular life, then I'd wear whatever tartan looks good in the rotation.