How Should an American Choose a Tartan to Wear?

We were asked: “How do you choose the tartan pattern and color? Isn't the clan badge and crest a requisite? I would think there are rules attached to the wearing of a clan’s uniform.”
Pretty classic query. While most gents will consider a clan tartan first when purchasing a kilt, there is nothing that says you must limit yourself to your clan tartan. In fact, this convention has been waning for years in Scotland. It is more common for Americans to be concerned about perceived rules about clan tartan and other symbols. Rocky discuses why this sem to be the case.
* Tartans in this video:
Rocky: American Dream
www.usakilts.com/kilts-and-pa...
Erik: Scott Red Muted
www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-1...
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[@itsapittie]

There are no "tartan police". You can't be jailed or fined for wearing the "wrong" tartan but there is such a thing as good manners. I tell people that if you're going to wear a tartan, it's simply good manners to know what it represents and be able to explain why that has some meaning to you. The United States Marine Corps has a registered tartan and their regulation on its wear is instructive. Its wear is "authorized" for anyone who is or has been a member of the USMC, has familial or other ties to the USMC, or wishes to show support for the USMC. (To be clear, there's no legal mechanism for enforcing this but it expresses the official USMC position.) I think that's a pretty good guideline for the wear of any tartan. Wear what you like but show good manners.

[@cleverusername9369]

I don't particularly like my family tartan, it's rather loud, so I wear either Black Watch or Scottish National, both open tartans and both more subtle and versatile. Also I just really like Black Watch.

[@CoreyBrass]

I'm often surprised at how Americans don't want to lean into our "mutt" pedigree. Our hodpoge of ancestry gives us practically free-range to travel down any thread we choose. Whenever I'm asked if I'm Scottish, I always say the same thing, "like you I'm an American mutt, I'm a little of everything." I absolutely love the freedom that brings with it.

[@99oildrops]

The issue for me with that is that when I try to reach out to adapt a whole bunch of things from cultures I'm descended from, I end up feeling like I'm none of those at the same time. I'm a Canadian mutt with English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Dutch, Jewish, and Italian ancestors. Trying to connect to all of those things just feels cheap and that I'm trying to claim to be something I'm not. I don't know... That's just how I view it personally though I'm not trying to scoff at your opinion.

[@CoreyBrass]

@99oildrops I understand. I guess my take on it isn't that I'm none of them but that I'm all of them. I take what I view as the best of each culture I'm from (or maybe not even from for all I know), then integrate it into my life and leave the rest. Maybe 100 years from now it will be a new culture... or maybe it will be a weird photo someone pulls out to show of a clearly mental ancestors who rocked a kilt, had Germantic tattoos, and wore an African tribal necklace.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

"American mutt"... I like it!

[@danielcolton9834]

I agree but what I did was I did some ancestry work and found my furthest found clan and chose that since it was the clan that put Scottish blood in me.

[@Slappa31]

I like that... i was wearing royal stewart today in qld australia and some people started to question why if im not scottish. (I did live there for a while). Im going aussie mongral from now on

[@colinp2238]

I'm an AngloScot, as you can see by my name the Scottish part is from my patriline. When I decided to express my lineage, I researched the family name, visited a kilt maker, and was told that the family has its own tartan, but the family is connected to the Clan MacLaren. I bought Maclaren kilt and trews and accessories. I am a veteran of the Royal Artillery and attend reunion and meetings connected to the London Scottish Regiment and through that bought some Black Watch clothing. For a more generic tartan I choose the Stuart Black tartan, and now I have trews and waistcoat of Stuart Black, to attend functions. So I have basically two generic tartan outfits and one that corresponds to my family. At the age of 68 I don't think I need anymore nor would I , for the time I have left, do any justice to it.

[@tjevans9893]

Something tells me I'll probably never need to worry about the kilt police interrogating me about the tartan I'm wearing. Life's too short, wear what you want.

[@A.L.H.I.T.A]

Do you even know what a tartan means 💀 They literally belong to certain clans to tell which you are from, Ignoramous.

[@JustLost1030]

First Tartan was the first "Clan" I joined; US Army.

[@youmustbethistall5861]

Thank you for your service brother. I'm on the path to make the same choice.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Awesome! Check if your state has one! 👍

[@JustLost1030]

@@IosuamacaMhadaidh I don't think FL has one.

[@duckmanduckfairy8010]

Remember The Fallen is new in 2021 for fallen hero’s law, military, fire, and first responders

[@fatimaabidin2632]

Hi Rocky and Eric, rather than it having started with the mills, the tartan designs originated with the women doing the wool waulking and the colours depended on what plants they had available to dye the wool.

[@TerryKeever]

I was just going to say something similar. Women had to make the family's clothing. I think probably a woman was really good at the process, getting and processing wool, making longer lasting dyes from local plants or started importing things for dyes from outside the area, and making good looking tartan patterns. And that evolved into a mill or maybe a group of women needing money after husbands were killed in battle. Lots of possible scenarios could have led to first mills. Could have been gradual or in just a few years after the first woman sold her tartan kilts and other woven wool products to folks from outside her community. Women have been weaving since Biblical times. After a woman started making consistent patterns of tartan and started selling them, kilts were on their way to being Scotland's gift to the world.

[@johnpeden5499]

From my teens I was aware of my connection to Scotland, although my father's family never said much about it. For many years I would do desultory internet searches to ascertain what clan my family would be associated with. While visiting Castle Armadale, I snuck away from the tour group, found the library and struck up a conversation with the librarian. Within 10 minutes she had found the original name that we used and announced that my ancestors were associated with Clan Donald. Upon returning to the States, I became a card-carrying, kilt wearing member of Clan Donald.

[@JWW_Woodworks]

First kilt was strictly because of my affinity with Ireland--I rented, and quickly thereafter bought my own Irish National. My second kilt was a solid black built-kilt. After that was a custom weave of the Windsor tartan for the kilt I'm wearing at my wedding (I'm aware it's a fashion tartan, not a family tartan), and you guys are currently working on my Co. Cavan kilt for my Irish Smith heritage. Can't wait to get it! (And seriously considering a Tara muted PV kilt...)

[@vanuren3345]

I’ve known all my life that I had Celtic blood coursing through my veins. But, when the DNA tests became available I could prove it. I am 60% Scot, Irish & Welsh and I’ve been able to trace my sir name back to Illogan, Cornwall. So, although I’ve had a universal tartan for about 20 years. When you folks introduced the Celtic Nations tartan I knew that’s the one for me since I’ve got the blood of 4 out of the 7 Celtic Nations. I’m going to try and attach a picture of me wearing the kilt I bought from you folks and wore to my 60th High School Reunion. I really appreciate your designing this tartan.

[@nathanrendelman]

first kilt was a rainbow kilt from kilt experts, went with it because i have no clan affiliation and the design amused me and it would bug the wife...now I'm a serial kilter, and I plan to get my next kilt will be from you guys, probably order a couple of them next month.

[@stephensummers643]

My first tartan was from you guys at the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem, a purple masonic, chosen purely because purple is my favorite color. At last year’s celtic fest, i bought my stepson his first tartan, again from you guys, an American Heritage one, because he liked the colors and pattern. Earlier this year, ya’ll made me a Hebridean Auld Alliance tartan for my upcoming wedding because with a Harry Potter theme it’s my Ravenclaw color representation. Later, I would love to get my hands on the Irish Heritage tartan, because I’m marrying into an Eagles family and it would look great with my jersey, but also on my family tree research I just found a couple branches with Irish ancestors. So now I’m starting to put meaning behind my tartan choices.

[@kvosstuff4350]

I have a great story for the tartan I personally wear. While I was in the NAVY I was attached to US Navy Squadron VA-46...the Clansmen. We flew the A7-E Corsair II carrier based light attack jet. Anyway, the squadron's VERY FIRST commanding officer was a gent named Clifford McDougal. Under his direction we used the McDougal/MacDougal/MacDougall tartan on our tail's "fin cap" and emblazoned on our tail was "Vincere Vel Mori" (we simply called it the "drippin' dick, so I simply adopted my Navy family's tartan as my own...I earned it!

[@Time_Lord_Council]

My mother's family is almost entirely Scotch-Irish. I came to find out later (after buying a kilt, sash, hose, and flashes) that my grandmother's mother was of clan Anderson (thanks to my mom giving me a tartan scarf that had been passed down from her). When I was trying to choose a kilt, I did some research based on my mom's maiden name, Harris. I couldn't find any tartans associated with the name Harris besides MacLeod of Harris, so that was the clan tartan I chose based on it being the closest tie I could find to the name. We're not Mac- or Mc- anything, so all I have to go on is the knowledge my mother has regarding her background and the little bit that I uncovered through research.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

Truth is, if you have western European descent (this does not mean that you are necessarily 'white'), you are related to royalty in some fashion... be that one of the houses of England, Charlemagne, Robert the Bruce, etc. It is statistically impossible not to be. Just like its statistically impossible not to have familial overlap (the same person showing up in multiple places in your family tree) simply because if that didn't happen, every family tree would very quickly expand beyond the current global population, much less the population 200yrs ago. It's called the genealogical paradox and it doesn't even account for pedigree collapse which occurs in isolated communities (either by geography or culture) which makes mapping your family genealogy even more complex. It's just a matter of, can you trace that ancestry, for certain, through the paper trail. Newsflash: most people can't. If you can get past 4 generations back, you're doing better than most people. For most adults between 30 and 50, we're talking about relatives born before the Civil War. 6 generations and we're talking about people who may or may not have been born before the birth of the US.

[@MrMRBolson]

The idea of a Nordic Heritage tartan interests me (100% Norwegian). Colors would include red, white, a Norse blue and a Swede blue as the main colors. I already have the Nordic Sporan and Kilt pin and buckle.

[@Renegade_Melungeon]

My first tartan was Campbell Ancient. It was a choice of family heritage, but incidentally, it's also one of my favourite tartans so I lucked out!

[@jimsheaves-xc8ke]

I got my first kilt due to a family connection. When I found out about the being an Air Force tartan, being ex-AF, just had to have one. Then the more I learned, the more I wanted to get a really nice one, hence, the order from USA for my Sinclair modern red kilt.

[@johncampbell9216]

Wear what speaks to you, what you like. If your family name has a link to a clan, perhaps consider wearing one of those clan tartans (there are usually a selection of clan tartans to as single clan, 'hunting", "ancient", "muted", "dress" etc.) with each having a slightly different take on colouring but this is no "rule". Wear what you love. As a Scot, I tend to wear my family's traditional ancient tartan but I'm thinking I'd love to wear the muted Wallace tartan or the 'National Tartan of America' tartan, they're nice tartans to my eye.

[@briankerley229]

I choose my first tartan in utiliy style with the paid color that suited me best. It was purchase from a long running fair that I attended annually and the vendor is always back every year. Love to support my local business

[@georgemcpherson7449]

The colours in the tartan depended on the dyes avalable in the area from heathers and such.

[@TheHeraldOfChange]

I'm a Hasher, the Hash House Harriers have a tartan. I'm Australian, there is an Australian tartan. I am a chronic pain and depression sufferer, I believe "Continue" covers me there (been there, done that, got a scar on the head to remember it.) My family connections are to both Clan Ross, (via my step-father) and Clan MacLaren (via my father.) Oh! and those family connections are "umbrella families," not direct named connections or perhaps intermarriage, that enjoyed inclusion at one time or other. Then, of course there the Utilikilt, and the Sports Kilt. So... am I supposed to have one of each, or none at all?

[@thehowlingmisogynist9871]

8:30 - everyone with the name McGregor (or the various variants - my mother was a Grierson) were all (invariably) related to Rob Roy!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@Slappa31]

I was wearing a black ramones t shirt, so i picked the 'punk' tartan, royal stewart. Ive since worn the blackwatch but wanna get a stewart hunting... or design my own tartan for my australian, polish, irish family 🤷‍♂️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴‍☠️

[@ArtsyFindingsStudio]

I just purchased my first Tartan. I started really digging into my heritage and always knew I had a lot of Scottish in our heritage. My great grandmother was from Scotland and have it in all my grandparents line. We have a very long line of Frasers (Frissels, Frussells, Frazers l, etc). So I chose the Fraser (not Lovat) tartan as my family is from the lowlands/mid (not Lovat - Highkands). That’s how I chose, the Modern Red Fraser is what I chose.

[@johnwoollam9796]

First tartan was what the Edinburgh shop had in stock in my waist size. Second was an ebay purchase again in my waist size. First made to measure in Royal Air Force of which I am a vet.

[@jimt6151]

Good information, guys! Thanks! Being relatively new to kilt wearing, I've thus far kept to solid-color (or camo) modern utility kilts, and sports-type kilts, as I've wondered about the same questions you discussed. I do have Irish heritage, and have found the correct county tartan, so maybe soon I'll have a traditional kilt made with that. Or, I may start with the official tartan of my modern "clan", the U.S. Navy Seabees, since I am a retired Seabee.

[@johnroberts9686]

I picked my kilt for the neutrality plus I really like it. The Black Watch kilt is beautiful. Now learning my roots I'll look into my Clan Tartan next.

[@ChibiPanda8888]

It is a lovely tartan.... and it's common too!

[@angleman13]

I recently spoke with a Scot and his wife (who was Irish). I shared my heritage, but I wasn't sure of what was permissible. His advice was to wear what I like. He had kilts made from patterns that he simply liked.😊

[@michaelsommers2356]

A time before the internet? Next thing you'll tell me the tooth fairy is real.

[@christophersilsby7829]

The mathematical quotation is divide 2 than go by 4 and keep going (Compounding interest but in reverse) I am a Munro Clan, by my Maternal Grandmother, their line goes to the first chieftain and beyond, back to Ireland and a place called Munro in Ireland.

[@Bryanfox-zl5dh]

In my experience, my mother's side is a bit Scottish and has some interesting tartan choices, but my last name has no historical tartan. I did discover through research however that the root meaning of my mother's surname was Angus. So as I researched the Angus district tartan (which is suspected to have been at one time a family tartan) I learned that my actual last name was common in the Angus district, so I decided that the Angus district tartan was the one for me. However I love wearing the great kilt and have collected several "fashion tartans" over the years.

[@BornAragorn]

Thanks for using the Elliott clan coat of arms in the thumbnail!! Rep the Elliott's!!

[@ChibiPanda8888]

Elliotts represent! It's always nice to see my clan represented in something. 👍🎉

[@PrimephotoStudio]

Nice video, like the topic.

[@jamesarmstrong5238]

As a Celtic Christian Monk, I choose to wear a great kilt in a solid green or blue. Mostly because it is utilitarian and I have an aversion to heat stroke wearing a robe in the AZ sun. I wear a solid color so no one gets offended. I also own the Clergy and an Armstrong tartan.

[@tylerjeffery1903]

Being of Cornish descent, I went with the Cornish national. Over the last almost decade, and a half my family at large has also taken on the Cornish national. Thank you for carrying it in your inventory!

[@anthonythomas5407]

I dont have any Scottish heritage so far as i know. Irish, Italian, French, English are the major components of my lineage. When i got my first kilt, the lady said the Black Watch was a popular first tartan, but as that is a storied regiment that i was not honored to serve with, it struck me as a bit of Stolen Valor. I'm pretty big on earth tones, so i chose the Weathered McKenzie. I like it. Looking forward to getting several more kilts and appropriate accessories.

[@valkrys68]

The concept of wearing it "well and respectfully" brings a smile to me. Do we wear denim well and respectfully, as it is an American related cloth? No. We wear it and use it in a variety of manners. For me, it is the same thing with tartan. I don't wear it because I'm related to some distant ancestor in Scotland. I wear them because of the colors and what I'm wearing for the day, or what I'm doing during the day. I think many Americans wear them as fashion clothing rather than heritage clothing. I needed one in specific colors for one wedding I attended, and another with other colors for a second wedding (great excuse to buy new kilts), in order to fit into the color schemes of the event. For me, they are a comfortable garment.

[@briangreminger2134]

My first kilt tartan was Holyrood. The colors attracted me - I wanted something with rustic browns and a blue that would tone well with a Jacobite blue bonnet - but as I researched my main clan heritage (Graham) I discovered that when Holyrood Abbey was founded by King David I in 1128, William de Graham was a witness on the charter. So, even though the tartan was designed in 1977, the color palette and personal historical resonance sold me.

[@panicenthusiast7282]

I chose the (knowingly fan produced) US Army Tartan for my kilt. Honestly because it gave me an idea of what else to wear. I have my danner "hiking boots" from Afghanistan, green army hose, maroon flashes (for the medical branch), a tan linen shirt (for our t-shirts worn under our blouses), and just got it as a 6 yard plaid. It just made it easier to fit a theme. Edit: I'm not Scottish either, so it seemed appropriate to wear a tartan representative of my "chosen" clan

[@mitchelliott8915]

Rocky & Erik, Fan of the show for a while now, andve revitalized my want to get into kilting. Never thought I'd see my family crest/tartan (Elliott) on a thumbnail of a video. Funnily enough on the video of about choosing a tartan, whos allowed to wear what (lol). Grew up being told my branch of the elliott family was Scottish, but in the age of digitalized records and DNA testing my family found out that we had came to america from Ireland. with my ancestry being moved to Ireland due to, uhm, unsavory behavior by my ancestors in the borderlands; being a thistle thorn in the side of either the english or the scots. So for a while now after finding out this information, I've been conflicted getting the Elliott tartan, instead maybe getting an Irish saffron or county plaid. But now, thanks to you all, I know that its A okay and could just get all the above 😅 Best, M Elliott

[@richardwhite3924]

I am someone who wears a kilt 7 days a week Spring, Summer and Fall (trews in Winter). I am Clan Lamont through my mother's family and I own a kilt and a unikilt in the Clan Lamont tartan. My Clan Lamont kilt was my first one I bought. I also have a number of other kilts and utilikilts and, with the exception of a Royal Stewart, all my other kilts are universal tartans such as Irish National, St. Patrick (my father's family is from County Kildare, Ireland) , New World Celt, Grey Watch, American Patriot, Honor Of Scotland and I even have and sometimes wear a Black utilikilt. All my kilt pins are generic. I do have a Clan Lamont clan pin on my balmoral/tam.

[@GreenmanDave]

My first tartan (scarf and necktie) was MacPherson Hunting because my grandmother was a Clark. I had joined the association. I walked in the Memorial Day Parade and the Parade of tartans at Alma, MI where the MacPhersons were (are?) one of the host clans. Then I learned that the Irish Clarks would not have been part of the clan, so I dissociated myself from them, but still helped out where/when I could at Alma. My first tartan kilt was chosen because of a spurious connection to Clan Davidson by way of a Davis ancestor, who could have been Welsh. For a while, I was under the impression that I could only wear that, Robertson (for Hobson, now likely English) or Galloway District (for a possible Calvin/Colvin/Colville connection). Now I'm more learned about tartan, and while most of my tartans do have a personal/familial connection, I've accepted that any tartan I can acquire is a tartan I can wear. Slàinte mhath! ✌️😁💚

[@SargeOfTheGuard]

Being a US Army Veteran, I can still wear my Mess Dress uniform at organized events; the Mess Dress consists of a waist length jacket, not a full length coat, which is perfect for wearing a Kilt and my Kilt made using the US Army Tartan. Anyway, I was at a Ball one evening and a US Marine in his Full Dress uniform came up to me and asked if I was wearing the Kilt "Regulation" to which I replied that if I were, it would have to be damned near ankle length! 😁

[@stevenwaldrop7853]

I've been trying to research my family heritage. One grandparent was of the Ewing/MacEwen line. I already have the MacEwen tartan and just ordered the Ewing. That one is restricted and I had to order through Clan Ewing UK. Another grandparent was a Barton, and I have traced that line back to Ireland, County Donegal, but I've been told they came from England before that. I plan to get a Donegal kilt at some point in time. On the other side of the family, one came from Wales (Ellis) and I have ordered a kilt in that tartan. The 4th line, Waldrop, has been trickier. I have seen a photo that was labelled Waldrop tartan, but have not found it in the Registry or on any of the mills' sites. My wife is descended from Clan Johnstone, and I am getting a kilt in that tartan to support her in honoring her heritage.

[@hydromind5438]

I’m not really sure if this counts but I just found out about state tartans and tartan history in general. I love the idea of wearing my state’s official tartan. It’s like saying that my home is my “clan”.

[@michaelgmillhollin2818]

My predominant lineage includes Irish (Millhollin and Brown), Scottish (Waltrip derived from Waldrop), and German (Jacobs). My very first Kilt was the Maclean of Duart Hunting Tartan because "I liked the look." Since then I have purchased both the Irish Heritage and German Heritage Tartans in recognition of my heritage. My fourth Kilt was the Black Watch Weathered Tartan, in part for my Scottish Heritage but again because "I liked the look." My fifth Kilt was the American Heritage Tartan because of well.... my American Heritage! Now I am considering at least three more.....I would love to get a kilt with the Spirit of Scotland Tartan, again for my heritage; the U.S. Army Tartan to symbolize my time in the Army; and the Law Enforcement Tartan to symbolize my career in Law Enforcement. I would love to find kilts with the State of Iowa Official Tartan (where I was born) and the State of West Virginia Official Tartan (my home for the last 30 years). Both Tartans are included within the Scottish Register of Tartans but I have been unable to find actual kilts made of these tartans on the market.

[@jmatt56]

My first kilt was a MOD surplus from A&S regiment. Got it because it wasn't expensive and it was my size. Second was Lovat Scouts, also MOD surplus. Third, MacLachlan, for the pipe band. Fourth, cheap poly Wallace (good drinking kilt). Holy scones, Batman! I think I have an addiction.

[@TheOfficeViking]

I got the Marine Corps kilt from you all. Main reason was because my unit when I was active duty was nicknamed the Highlanders, and it seemed like a fair "clan" association

[@NeoComicus]

How did I choose? Well, while I have some family ties to Scotland, I can't tell you exactly what they are. My wife, however, is directly linked on her dad's side to the MacNeills of Gigha and Colonsay. Consequently, I wear her family's tartan. Works for me, and they don't make a fuss about it at all.

[@cameronbennett6721]

still not sure what a "tartan" is but I got my first great kilt to explore historical cold weather clothing as well as historical camo. i just got what looked the most like the colors i would see when hiking but as I experiment with it I'm always interested in finding how best to wear it and so on. ive loved cold weather stuff and history so finding historical cold gear and cultures around it has been fun. finding things from the Vikings, the Scottish, a few Celtic and so on. i only got my great kilt a few days ago but im looking forward to taking it camping soon.

[@murdock8068]

I'm about to purchase my first kilt. I am a Wilson but we are also a Sept of clan Gunn. I will purchase a Wilson tartan but have the option through me Sept to use Gunn as well. Thanks guys!

[@hudsonfamoffficial]

Ordered a 5-yard wool kilt, Pennsylvania tartan from USA Kilts years ago … Every time I lay eyes on that kilt, it just speaks to the soul, simply stunning … There are some stellar Univeral & Military tartans for North Americans to select from

[@USAKiltsOfficial]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@gryffydd42]

My first kilt was premade acrylic, sold at Highland Games, in Clan Gunn. It was one of the few that fit and had colors I liked, though I also thought my dad might have Scottish connection via clan Wilson (turned out his side is mix of Scandinavian and German). My first wool kilt was Mitchell 5 yard in 13 oz. Couldn’t afford 16 oz or 8 yard at the time. My moms side has direct ancestry to the Mitchells of Ayr.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

Do you have a tree? If just DNA, you could still have heritage in Scotland. There's a lot of admixture from Scandinavian, Norse, and Germanic DNA in Scotland, and after so many generations here (assuming you're American) the DNA may not show in your test. For instance, my mother has 6% Welsh, her cousin 12%, but I have 0. My mother has 20% Scottish, with family tree connections to multiple clans, and I have 0% Scottish showing according to my test. Sorry for the long-winded comment but maybe it'll be helpful.

[@captainzorikh]

The first time I woke a kilt I was playing The Douglas in Henry IV Part 1. I wore it greatkilt style by simply asking the costume designer to get the right size fabric (based on info I found online). The fabric she picked was not exactly Douglas, but it had the same basic colors. Some years later I was in the Edinburgh Kilt Factory nd looked in their kilt guidebooks to see if any of my family names had tartans. But there were no listings for LaCoudre, Berrier, Freel, Tate, or Schmidt, and that was all the names I knew. So I decided t got back to Douglas. I wanted the ancient version, of course, to represent the character I played, but that as only available in the expensive, pure wool, dry clean only version. Being of a lower budget and wanting to wear it in ways that would get it dirty, I took the lower-cost wool-poly blend, which was only available in Douglas Modern. So while The Douglas who fought with the Blue Line of Percy may never even have worn a kilt, at least I have some connection to the time I played a mad warrior Scot.

[@kaseyvaughn5963]

I’m getting my first tartan, Vaughn tartan. I want to be authentic. I’ve found yellow and green. Some images were more yellow some were more green, so I don’t know. In that , I didn’t know there were pins. What about the family crest ? If you have a video that breaks this down that would help

[@gryffydd42]

I chose mine based upon family ancestors with last name of Mitchell , and also liked the tartan a lot. I also have ties to Innes, but the main tartan is a bit strong to my tastes (but I’ll likely still get it. Also have Polaris Military kilt and may check into permission from UK for their submariner tartan.

[@spadejognson315]

My first two were universal and now I also have Johnstone for my grandfather

[@williamstamper5395]

I learned from a heritage tree that my grandfather's parents related they came from Dundee, Scotland, his last name is Norris,with research I found out that Norris is associated with the McLeods/Lewis. My name being Stamper I can wear either Harris or Lewis Mcleods to honor my Grand father's name, I Love it! Cheers.

[@bbcustomoutdoors]

I chose Lamont Ancient tartan, because one of my many great grand sires was Cornelius Clements, a hero of the American Revolution. I believe his parents were Scottish, and Clements is a sept of Lamont. That said, I know this is a very tenuous connection, and frankly I’m ok with that. I have since bought Celtic Nations for myself and Blackwatch for my oldest daughter. I just like kilts.

[@skullduggerysmiles8393]

Its just like choosing a pair of jeans, you select the one you like, try it on for size and away you go, simple.

[@tscarb]

My grandma is Gillespie. I have just recently returned from Scotland where I was inquiring on my family tartan The tartan is old and has not been woven since mid 1800s. That’s a long one. They are a family under Clan McPherson. I’ve been told by Clint McPherson I can wear that tartan.

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

I choose the color, Hamilton Grey, because I wanted a kilt that would compliment most any other color of shirts, sweaters, and vests I already own. Then I did some reading about Clan Hamilton and have "adopted" myself into the history. BTW, Clan Hamilton is the hereditary protector of the Scottish crown. The 16th Duke has processed with the crown several times at the opening of the Scottish parliament and at the Scottish portion of Queen Elizabeth's funeral ceremonies.

[@the-kilted-trucker59]

Was 2 inexpensive kilts for work.( cooler driving in a kilt.) Then I came to USA KILT for a 5yrd us army. But that's about 20 kilts ago.

[@jsharveyPRIME]

My great grandmother was a Stewart, but instead of going with the universal Royal Stewart tartan I have found that I'm partial to the Grey Stewart(Grey also being my favorite color). Tradition mixed with personal preference I guess 🤷‍♂

[@A.L.H.I.T.A]

it's not tradition at all. Clan heritage comes from the paternal side. Your grandmother's clan, traditionally, means nothing to you.

[@A.L.H.I.T.A]

that's purely personal preference.

[@n8iws484]

I went with Black watch after discussing my Scottish line with my doctor, who at the time was very involved with St. Andrew's Society in Detroit. Follow the trail of how the last name evolved. So I did and Donaldson came from the MacDonald clan. Followed that until it came to 4 of them, all with different tartans. I couldn't go any deeper, real confusing so I asked him, what next? Go universal where it doesn't matter. And what ever you choose, don't wear a Campbell !!

[@TheNynrahGhostJo]

I’ve been looking to get a kilt because my grandma was born and raised in Edinburgh Scotland and because she was a Ramsay I have been looking at Ramsay tartan.

[@williamwittmer7255]

My first kilt was in the USAF tartan.

[@alicebenson8512]

So, I found out recently that there is a tartan pattern for my surname which is Benson. Which I find odd, because up to this point my line is from Ireland and had made the assumption that tartan patterns were exclusively Scottish. But this has me curious, even if I'm not Scottish. Can I still wear the tartan pattern of my surname?

[@user-vl3sw8wd6f]

I trace my ancestry to Northern Ireland, and I have a strong reason to believe my ancestors migrated there from Scottland. I'm not affiliated with with any known clan, at least with my last name's current spelling, so I chose the Black Watch tartan, because my father spend 30 years in the military and I have a history of military men in my family.

[@edletain385]

There are also tartans adopted by location. Here in Canada, we have 'provincial' tartans and a national one as well. Even Cape Breton Island, part of the province of Nova Scotia has its own. And Nova Scotia (Latin for New Scotland) was heavily colonized by Scots fleeing, or subsidized to leave during the Highland clearances. My wife is a McNaughton on one side and Clan Campbell of Cawdor on the other. What about Regimental tartans like the Black Watch and other highland regiments?

[@vixendoe6943]

I do have Scottish ancestry. My dad's folks were from the Grampian Highlands and Clan Cummin, my mom the Stuart's. My first kilt was Clan Gordon, a friend's clan, but I some how lost it. I like the black Stewart but because I am at least 4th generation American, I stick primarily with the Black Watch.

[@DangerDad29]

First was a black utility kilt. It's good for the shop and chores but don't generally wear it out. Second is a weathered black watch. Just liked the tartan and suits me. Scottish and irish heritage, but next is going to be the mapleleaf tartan for sure as I identify as canadian

[@DarleneQuayle-gi7if]

Are there work and dress in each clan

[@bradsmckay]

I have a blue Mackay and an ancient Mackay, firstly because I like both tartans and second as someone of English/Irish decent I have no doubt if I went back far enough I would find a scottish ancestor

[@valkrys68]

I wear tartans of clans with a strong military history, I don't care who they are. I have kilts in a variety of colors so that I have a color for whatever occasions I might be going to.

[@davidkingsley3244]

My father's name was Glennon Mead Kingsley. His mother's sister married a man by the name of Rex Campbell. Rex grew up on the Navajo reservations in AZ and as a white man, he spoke fluent Navajo. As such, he helped the Army develop the codes used by the Code Talkers in WWII. So my first kilts are utility kilts with Campbell family tartan (modern I think)

[@MrSelidor7]

I'm as Scottish as you can get and my clan has its own tartans but I've never worn any of them because I don't like the colours. I've always chosen my kilts based on what I liked the look and feel of the most. However, it's a good idea to do a little research before you decide because you could accidentally wear the tartan of a football team that you don't like or a political party that you don't agree with or a military unit that might find it disrespectful etc.

[@pat1589]

It's very simple. Where what you like. I just got a hunting menzies modern kilt. I have no affiliation to the menzies, just like the tartan.

[@GrandpasPlace]

You left out the best part of the family tree... Back then, royalty often married other royalty which means you can be related to more than one. For example, Im related to Robert Stewart II King of Scotland, Robert Stewart III King of Scotland, David I King of Scotland, Malcolm III King of Scotland, William "The Lion", King of Scots. That is just the list of the Scots, Due to the royalty there is a list of english, french, and welsh as well.

[@IosuamacaMhadaidh]

My most recent (as in closest to me in my family tree) clan connection is Drummond of Perth, so personally I want that tartan, but also think anyone can wear any non restricted tartan. If someone from Nigeria or China or Nicaragua wants to wear a Drummond tartan kilt or whatever it's A-OK with me, for what that's worth 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇺🇸

[@jamesstevenson7816]

As a born and bred Scot, I have many different clans related to my ancestry from both my father and mothers side. So within that a direct connection to a core clan is often not conserved and leads many scots to feel more deeply connected to the act of wearing a kilt more so than what tartan it represents. Personally i was closer to my fathers mother and would opt for McCallum tartan over Artley tartan

[@dagnard5707]

i will go with my great grand fathers. since he immigrated as a child with his parents from scotland

[@gerryhatrick6678]

I have a MacGillivray who married an Anderson as most recent. The question is do you go with the mother or father's surname. Generation before were a MacDonald married a MacGillivray and the generation before it was a MacNeil who married a MacGillivray. I have no idea of the Anderson history before the most recent one.

[@keithrobinson7669]

I have both tartans from Ireland and Scotland. From the robinson clan. Can I wear both tartans at the same time, along with my family crest and shield. The shield does not change. I would love to honor both families from both countries.

[@johnnyjet3.1412]

MacDonald standard (lots of red), MacDonald of Sleat (lots of red), MacNaughton (lots of red), MacLIntock (lots of red) - MacDonald Hunting (no red) - I'll wear MacDonald Hunting! also US Army (no red) - I do use a MacDonald standard shopping bag! - - - - Question! How about multiple clan badges on the Kilt apron , top to bottom MacDonal Sleat, MacNaughton, MacLintock??

[@smacwhinnie]

Clanranald is nice

[@ilikepancakes1177]

I am pretty much American mutt, lot of German, and just all over Europe, but 15% came up Scott, Last name has German spelling so hard to find Scott spelling. I heard Blackwatch is the way to go, if you not affiliated with certain Family or County. Also how to find the pin/badge.

[@williambailey9888]

Baillie clan tartan was my first kilt

[@willwetherington]

Which would be a good tartan for someone like me that has both Scottish and Irish heritage? My mother and her parents and and grandparents are McAllisters...

[@mer8795]

You could choose McAllister, or an Irish County, or Celtic Nations, or Scottish Heritage tartan. Choose the one you like. Or choose American Heritage (if you're American) or one of the other universal ones. So many options! Won't be easy to decide 😃

[@Thor-Orion]

8:47 this is true, but there’s a point in genealogies where it becomes exponentially more descendants due to different factors. The chariots kings called the Sintashta who were descended from the Corded Ware population have millions of descendants, sometimes tens of millions, because of their prevalence in spreading both the R1A Haplogroups and the Aryan language family. If your Germanic a lot of us consider Theodoric the Great to be one of our great patriarchs, even though he himself didn’t have that many children, many of his family who survived married into prominent families in Northern Europe. Charlemagne has a boat ton of descendants, and they think this guy Alaric is an ancestor to hundreds of thousands of living descendants in Western Europe. But these guys are all in the past two millennia (other than the Sintashta chariot kings) and the more recent an ancestor the smaller his pool of descendants can be, it’s on a bell curve.

[@LoneGunman13013]

My first tartan was black watch because I liked how it looked. My second was Stewart in honor of Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart

[@Ld19701116]

First child was a black basic utility Kilt however my first Tartan Kilt was related to lineage

[@Ld19701116]

Wow okay first child in case you hadn't guessed that was supposed to be Kilt

[@toddwebb7521]

I don't think I'd feel weird about wearing the tartan of a branch of the family other than most directly related on Dad's side that is theoretically supposed to be your "the clan tartan" but I'd feel weird about wearing tartan of a clan I'm not related to simply because I thought it was pretty.

[@Cailean_MacCoinnich]

Obviously people can do whatever they want. But why would you wear a Clan tartan that you have no connect to? Here in Scotland that would just be weird. When I had my first kilt made, my maternal uncle asked me if I was going to get my Mums family tartan (MacLeod). I said no as I was going to get my father's tartan. I do now have a MacLeod kilt, but it's informal usage only. Any 'event' is only my paternal family tartan, as that is for want of a better word the 'correct' thing to do.

[@straycat1674]

Oh, never think of it as a uniform. You see her uniform has very strict standards and codes by which you have to wear them. The kilt is a cultural fashion attire nothing more. Know if you’re in Black watch or another military units like the Atholl Highlanders, then you’re wearing a military uniform and there are rules and standards that you must abide by. Otherwise, just learn how The kilt is worn. If you like someone else’s design from another clan, you can wear it. Just don’t try to pretend that you’re in the clan. Just let people know you love the design and you wanted to wear it. Be respectful toward your clan and others. And before you ever put a kilt on, do you research. Because there are some rules that we don’t bend. Like the pleats going in back.

[@davidsherwen5245]

I have a question ❓ is there a hunting tartan

[@wncheidi]

Always, always, pick the one you like. Period.

[@georgemcpherson7449]

You will also find most people with a militery background will weat the black watch tartan . Not a must just something i have found with my ex-army friends.

[@LarryGarfieldCrell]

I wear a Balckwatch tartan, because i liked the color scheme. The Scottish branches of my family were too poor to have a tartan :-), so I went with pretty over heritage.

[@ramonpfister2424]

I am not a Scot, but I wear the U.S. Army tartan as I'm retired Army.