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The History Of Tartan Plaid

  • Tartan style through the ages.

  • A playful print that has stood the test of time… tartan. From its strong ties of kinship from centuries past, this engaging striped and checked design has now become a symbol of chic contemporary style.

    With woven lines in vivid color, a tartan pattern can add just the right amount of detailing and texture to your look. Our curated collection plays into some of tartan’s most popular evolutions, from the Royal Stewart tartan, the personal favored by Queen Elizabeth II, to the cheeky Chambridge, a bright and colorful checked palette. Allow yourself to be tantalized by tartan’s inevitable appeal.

  • What is Tartan?

  • Model wearing tartan button-down, slim fit jeans, leather boots, leather belt, and cashmere turtleneck.

  • Known as an interlocking series of stripes woven together, tartan style can take on many forms with varying changes in width, color, and patterns. Tartan is made from alternating bands of pre-dyed threads that are woven at right angles to each other into a simple twill, creating its recognizable tartan plaid graphic.

  • TARTAN ORIGINS

  • Model wearing tartan pants, satin button-down, cashmere sweater, leather belt, and suede pumps.

  • While the roots of tartan and its woven origins go way back—the oldest tartan on record comes from the Taklamakan Desert in western China, 1200-700 BC—the history of tartan is mainly associated with Scotland garb from the third or fourth century. This fabric of choice often designated a distinctive clan. The tartan of the Scottish Highlanders became synonymous with the ideals of friend and kinship.

    In the mid-1800s, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert fell head-over-heels with Scotland and turned tartan fashion on to the world. Used at Balmoral castle in the U.K., it appeared in the curtains, chair covers, and tiling, cementing its place as a patterned fabric to be cherished and shared.

  • TARTAN STYLE

  • Model wearing tartan pants and shirt, crewneck sweater, suede pumps, and leather top handle bag.

  • Whether it’s for every day or for a more elevated look, tartan’s versatility rises to every scenario. The Royal Stewart tartan, one of the best-known and the favorite tartan of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It delivers a head-turning graphic when worn as a chic pant with a gauzy blouse and slingbacks.

    Deep and moody, the Black Watch tartan looks proper and polished for her with a buttoned-up tailored shirt paired with a black blazer.

  • Model wearing tartan button-down, slim fit jeans, and reversible leather belt.

  • With its recognizable pattern of red and green checks, the MacGregor Ancient tartan rose to prominence in the 1800s. This bold pattern takes on a softer edge when cut into a women’s blouse with lightly flared sleeves and puffed detailing. Pair it with a flowy black skirt for maximized effect.

    Bright blues, deep greens, and shades of black make up the extremely popular and easily recognized Clan Campbell tartan, a stately choice for men’s trousers. Made of 100% wool, our holiday selection is perfect for day to night.

    An easy-to-wear pant becomes a statement all its own when it’s Chambridge, an eye-catching tartan plaid alternating bands of yellow, blue, and red. Keep the rest of the look simple, a metallic sweater or cream turtleneck do the trick.

  • TARTAN TODAY

  • Model wearing tartan pants, cashmere turtleneck sweater, and leather sneakers.

  • With more than 7000 variations, celebrated tartan designs are everywhere, from accessories and homewares to celebrity closets. Effortlessly worn by stars like Charlize Theron, Michael B. Jordan, and Sarah Jessica Parker, tartan style revels in its role as an A-list fashion staple.

    Enliven this season with a design that has lasted through the ages to be enjoyed in every aspect of life. The merry tartan plaid, in mixes of red, green, black, and gold, is one to turn to for an engaging roster of parties, toasts, and merriment. Top to bottom and all accessories in between, holiday tartan fashion is one jolly way to dial up a festive mood.