What tartan should I get for my best friend's wedding?

Question

My best friend is getting married, and I've been asked to be a groomsman. For some reason, I have to wear a kilt. The groom is wearing his family's tartan. Because the best man has a different clan he will wear his clan’s tartan and this forces me to pick my own tartan. I have no Scottish blood, only Irish which is maternal grandmother's mom and British from dad's side (immigration in 1840's), what tartan should I wear? Or should I fake an illness on his wedding day?

I don't think the Irish family one is acceptable. I feel it's been married out being 3 generations of females. The British on dad's side is direct male, but again 5 generations back, so I feel my European decent is so far back, I don't count it. I consider myself Iowagian (from Iowa) more than Irish or English. Maybe I can find one with cows and corn on it.

Answer 1

Tartans for Non-Scots

UNITED KINGDOM: "Tyneside", "Devon" "Durham", "Somerset", "Cornish National", "St. Piran", "Ulster Tartan", "Welsh National", or "Manx National".


IRELAND: "Tare" or "Murphy", "Clodagh", "Ulster Tartan"


CANADA: The "Canadian Centennial Tartan" serves as a "national" tartan for all Canadians. Each Province and Territory has its own official tartan. The attractive asymmetrical "Maple Leaf" tartan is often seen in ladies' clothing but is not recommended for Scottish dress.


AUSTRALIA: The "Australia" tartan.


UNITED STATES: A number of the states have official or unofficial tartans "Maine", "Carolina", "Georgia", "Ohio", "Idaho", "Washington", "Texas Blue Bonnet", and "Pennsylvania". One city, "Tulsa", has adopted a tartan. There is a little-known tartan designed for all citizens of the United States, the "America", and several setts associated with military organizations and universities: "West Point, "The Citadel", "Leatherneck".


SOUTH AMERICANS might consider wearing the "Cochrane" tartan in honour of the naval hero who founded the navies of several nations and led them in the wars of independence (Brazil, Argentina, Chile).


SPAIN: Spaniards with Celtic roots can choose the "Galicia" tartan. Others might select the "Wellington" in honour of the Duke who directed the joint British-Spanish liberation of the nation from Napoleon.


PORTUGAL: The Duke of Wellington was commander-in-chief of the Portuguese Army in its struggle to free the nation from the French. The "Wellington" tartan is a good choice.


FRANCE: The French supported the Jacobite cause and the Jacobite tartan is appropriate. French soldiers died at Culloden and the "Culloden" tartan honours them.


AUSTRIA: Austrians could choose the "Leslie" tartan in honour of the Scottish expatriate soldier who rose to general rank in the Hapsburg army.


GERMANY: Germans remember that Prince Albert, lover of the Highlands and tartan designer, was a German. The "Coburg" tartan was designed in his honour and is a good choice.


NETHERLANDS: There is a registered "Dutch" tartan which represents the Netherlands, honoring both the House of Orange and members of the "Mac Kay" family who have been prominent citizens of both nations.


RUSSIA: Russians might choose the "Muskova" tartan or the "Gordon" in honour of the Scottish general who modernized the army of Peter the Great -- and who was killed leading it against the Swedes.


SCANDINAVIA: The "Mackay" or "Munro" tartans are appropriate in remembrance of the thousands of Scots led by these clans into service in the armies of Sweden and Denmark in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.


ITALY: The "Prince Charles Edward Stuart" tartan is appropriate for "Bonnie Prince Charley" was born and died a resident of Italy.

Answer 2

There are Irish tartan's, I believe. You could probably research this online and get one that is for your Irish clan.
If you are really uncomfortable with the kilt idea, just tell your friend and either bow out of being in the wedding or wear a tux or suit.

Answer 3

You can get a standard Tartan which is not related to any clan or you could look up the Irish Tartans not as colourfull but they had them as well

Answer 4

There are Irish tartans. If you don't know her clan, send me a message with her surname, and I can probably find it for you. Or, wear whatever. Like anyone will notice.

Answer 5

I would wear the groom's family tartan, if for no other reason that it will look good in the photos. The groom also should ask the bride what she would prefer. If they want you to pick one, just pick one that looks good with the other 2. Good luck.

Answer 6

If you just like the concept of a silver robe then put on a silver robe. I believe that might appear very fine with a stewart tartan kilt. I would not fit the kilt as that might be an excessive amount of of the plaid however I believe silver might appear very fine.

Answer 7

http://store.clan.com/index.html

"If I can't identify a family tartan, can I wear a kilt?
Yes, kilts can be worn by anyone in the world, regardless of nationality or descent. "

Irish American Tartan:
http://store.clan.com/tartan/Irish-American/50217.html?filter_searchterm=american:id=tIbhKIN5
American Tartan:
http://store.clan.com/tartan/American/70187.html?filter_searchterm=american:id=tIbhKIN5

Answer 8

Wear teh Groom's tartan. This shows an affinity to him as your best friend - you are like family.

great stuff. It will look fantastic!

Answer 9

wear the Irish clan kilt. the kilt is not just for the scots, as most think, the hagis yes, we the Welsh once wore the kilt.

Answer 10

don't do anything deceitful but if your aren't scottish it think its wrong to wear a kilt. just my opinion.