Make a bold statement with tartan
October 30th, 2008We see tartan, or Scottish “plaid” every year and this season is no exception. It’s trending a little more at the moment because of the strong ‘80’s revival and, for the most part, I’m enjoying the vogue.
I adore tartan skirts, scarves and shoes. I’d love to get a funky red tartan pencil skirt to wear with my biker jackets but haven’t found one yet. I like some tartan dresses, and also quite like the idea of tartan skinnies. Tartan coats and jackets can be fun and daring if the cut and colours are flattering.
But I’m not into tartan blouses, or button-down shirts. They bring back bad teenage memories of shoulder pads, dreadful frills, lurex thread and barn dances. If tartan tops in the 80’s weren’t bad enough, they continued to be one of my dreadful looks through the early ‘90’s when I sported the grunge vibe with an oversized tartan shirt and Doc Martens. It’s a look I can’t do again.
Tasteful tartan pieces make bold statements, which is probably why I’m attracted to them. Ignore what the magazines say and wear only one tartan piece at a time (the same way you would wear ruffled items and animal print). I’ll give tartan another bash if I find that pencil skirt. Does tartan tickle your fancy?
Jackets, skirts and shoes in tartan appeal to me more than shirts. The latter are too much of a blast from the past.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:22 am
I LOVE tartan! This might be inherited though, as my great-grandmother, grandmother, mom and me all love and wear this print. I almost bought this jacket:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2981100/0~2376780~6009391~6013451~6013455?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6013455&P=1
But I decided the wool blazer just wasn’t practical for my climate. I love this dress though, and might pick it up when it goes on sale (if they still have it in my size):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2998012/0~2376780~6009391~6013451~6013455?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6013455&P=1
I want my plaid to have a little edge to it.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I have a cute red tartan Coach purse that makes an occasional winter appearance. One Christmas my husband and I and five children all had matching red tartan sleepwear. That was a fun experience! But we don’t see too much tartan in Florida. I think a red tartan skirt for you would be adorable!
October 30th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I’m currently on the lookout for a nice pair of tartan shoes - preferably in grey or chocolate brown. I too believe they are a great way to add more excitement to an outfit, and honestly can’t understand why anyone would want to pair 2-3 prints at any given time. I alreay own a lovely plain skirt so I think the shoes are well in order!
October 30th, 2008 at 7:53 am
As a self-confessed neutrals addict, I find it amazing how much tartan appeals to me. I do have a salmon and blue plaid shirt from Gap (with ruffles on the front) and worn under a jacket or vest, it gives just enough hint to be interesting without being overpowering. I find the only way to make it look not country-barn-dance-like is to pair it with an otherwise tailored, classic outfit.
I would love to find a buffalo-size black and white jacket. I saw one I loved online at Forever 21, but I’m in Canada and when I went to the store when I was in the US, they didn’t have it in yet.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Delicious. I love, love this look!
October 30th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I love tartan. I recently got a beautiful grey plaid jacket that I adore, I am not sure if it’s tartan or not ( is tartan a type of plaid?). I was also looking for a while for plaid ruffled blouse, but couldn’t find one I really loved so decided to skip it. I am really tempted by this skirt you have posted here
October 30th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Just got back from Scotland where tartan is king! Sadly though I did not buy a tartan skirt.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I SO agree - tartan tops are far too 80s, and not in a fun, retro way. But I love it in smaller doses. Just landed a Ralph Lauren tartan skirt a few weeks ago and I adore it!
October 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Normally I’d definitely agree with you on the tartan button-down hatred, but I have to say that if I pair it with a dark, solid sweater vest (the key here is covering a lot of the plaid) I love wearing a tartan button down with a tuxedo-shirt styled front. What do you think?
October 30th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I love tartan skirts and dresses, and can totally see the potential in tartan skinnies (probably not on my curvy bum, though - somehow I think that dark denim skinnies are as far as I’ll take it personally.) I used to have tartan skinnies (that I sewed myself!) in the 80s and felt very fab.
Tartan shoes would be fun, too, though I shouldn’t really be tempted by yet another new pair of shoes
I’m totally with you on tartan shirts and blouses. I’ve been there, many moons ago, and don’t have any intention of repeating the look. And I haven’t found any of the tartan shirts I’ve seen in magazines, whether on models or celebrties, to be flattering. I kept thinking these gals would look so much better in something else…
Now a tartan waistcoat might be another way to go…
October 30th, 2008 at 8:47 am
I’m going to have to play the devil’s advocate and say that I really do NOT like tartan, especially in tops. It’s a look that I find unappealing and unflattering.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Nice to know there are other tartan lovers out there. Jessa, you are completely entitled to NOT prefer the look. Thanks for sharing the advocate of the devil with us.
Ana, the Nordies tartan dress is in my shopping basket. Coincidence! I’m taking it out though because it won’t be warm enough to wear on it’s on with boots and hose. But now I can enjoy it on you – it’s perfect for your Winter climate.
Rhonda, thanks for reminding me about fabulous tartan handbags. I almost brought one home from HK but forgot to go back to French Connection at the last minute. Blast!
Meena, you are so right about tartan shoes adding excitement to an existing outfit. It’s that no-brainer “texture-thing” again.
Tanya, your new Zara jacket qualifies as Tartan, which is a type of check (or “plaid” if you’re American). It’s gorgeous!
Charle, I do not have a hatred for tartan tops or blouses. It’s a personal “can’t do it again thing” and not a general dislike . I have a general dislike for maxi dresses which I feel don’t look good on anyone. But your ensemble choice sounds interesting and I say go for it.
Ha Antje! I too sewed a pair of turquoise and red tartan skinny pants myself in the 80’s. I wore them with suspenders *cringe*. I have a pair of cream and black checked skinny pants which I love (and you’ve seen). It’s those I would love in red tartan. Your tartan waistcoat sounds like a fab idea.
Sal, the tartan fabric on your new RL skirt is smashing. I’d love to see you shorten it to either mid-calf or just below the knee. That way we get to see more of pretty you. Uber hip and funky with those new tough biker boots!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I live in the Pacific Northwest, come from Scottish heritage, and went to college during the grunge era. I thought plaid was a staple. My mother wore a Stewart (our family) tartan wool shirt every day every winter because my dad refused to turn up the heat. In the early 90s I bought a plaid bra that I wore peeking out of a black plunging-V shirt to go dancing.
I have a tartan belt (royal Stewart) that I pull out this time of year. I would love a tartan jacket or vest or new skirt. I, too, will skip the blouses though.
I also love argyle, but that’s a whole ‘nother subject.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Angie, on the subject of tartan, do you have any advice on styling a Burberry kilt? Years ago I wore it with a black sweater set and low-heeled knee-high black boots.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I can take in doses. Like recently purchased gray/black/white tights to wear under short skirt and black suede boots.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I didn’t like tartan and argyle when I was younger, and now I feel like I’m discovering it for the first time. I’m also kicking myself for donating a knee length wrap tartan skirt from Gap that I got years and years ago. It was wool, it was lined, it fit me well… until it didn’t (a simple alteration would probably fix it). Eh, what was I thinking. That’s why I should make exceptions to the “keep or toss” rule.
In the meantime I drool over this blazer, and tell myself that it’s not right for my pretty pear shape anyway.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3004872?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=plaid+in+Women%27s+Apparel&origin=searchresults
In the end, I’ll probably get a scarf or something small.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Tartan appeals to me if it’s in relatively subdued or unusual colors, and in moderation as a skirt or accessories. I have one tartan skirt in a pleated kilt style that was a souvenir from a trip to the UK (the background color is ivory, and it has blue, tan, and black stripes). It’s one of those things that is currently too small for me, but that I’m holding on to in anticipation of getting thin enough to wear it again! I would love to have a tartan scarf, pashmina, or shoes. I agree with Angie on tartan blouses–too 90’s grunge. The lumberjack look never suited me anyway and even in the 90’s I never wore it. With regard to menswear, though my thinking is almost the reverse. I think men look great in plaid shirts but they should forget about plaid pants, ties, or shoes. I wonder why that is?
October 30th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Been there, done that so much I was once the queen of plaid so much so that even today my sister-in-law sees a plaid and thinks of me. Won’t do it this time around and hope S-in-L doesn’t gift me with a tartan shirt.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I have a tartan scarf that I love!
October 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2988745?refsid=233015&refcat=0%7e2376776%7e2374327%7e2374337%7e6004084&SourceID=1&SlotID=1&origin=related
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2988745?refsid=233015&refcat=0%7e2376776%7e2374327%7e2374337%7e6004084&SourceID=1&SlotID=1&origin=related
Lordy Lordy. I’ve been missing out here. I had no idea there were these gorgeous plaids out there. I never paid attention to them. When I saw all the pictures posted here I went bananas. I love the 2 LAMB pieces I posted but it sure would be tempting to wear them together. Probably not a good idea. Thanks for opening my eyes to the beauty of tartan.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2988750?refsid=233014&refcat=0%7e2376788%7e6002242%7e6007533%7e6007540&SourceID=1&SlotID=2&origin=related
Skirt came through twice on the last one. I meant to post the beautiful jacket and the skrt.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Love those Jessica Bennett pumps…and on sale too! Sadly, not in my size! Oh, and tartan sounds so much more chic than plaid!
Nice work!
October 30th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I love plaid, but I feel like I can only wear during the holiday season. I have a red plaid tank top/jumper that I wear over a black turtleneck and dark wash jeans over the holidays. I just feel festive!
A red plaid pencil skirt sounds swell, Angie. Good luck finding one! I did see this one on a recent plaid search on shopstyle… http://www.intermixonline.com/jump.jsp?itemID=22863&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C5%2C37&iProductID=22863 Far too pricey for me, but maybe someone else could afford it!
October 30th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I absolutely love plaid! I just picked up a blue tartan wool peacoat by Kensie yesterday and already wore it all over the place today (the temperature is dropping much sooner than usual in Southern Ontario). It makes an outfit much more interesting than my usual black or charcoal winter coats, so I’m excited to wear it this winter (a nice change from my typical attitude of hating winter coats). I also love plaid button downs, I must admit. My dark pink plaid flannel fitted shirt is a Christmastime favourite.
October 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Those shoes are to die for.
I wear tartan - my hubby’s.
I knew we were serious when he gave me a scarf in his clan’s tartan. Then a year or so later, his mom gifted me a tote bag in the same tartan. Then a little while after we got engaged, I lucked out and found the family tartan in flannel PJs and got everyone a pair.
And of course my hubby wore his kilt when we eloped!
October 30th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I LOVE tartan! Much more than traditional plaid.
The pencil skirt got linked twice; do you happen to have the link for that beautiful tartan jacket Angie?
October 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hilarious, Dana!
You’re right , Lannie. Tartan coats are a nice change and hide dirt well. Not that you should be wearing a dirty coat, but you know what I mean.
Sweet story, Shiny. I adore a man in a kilt.
Lena, you’ll wear that lovely tartan jacket well. Oneirix, we’ll fix that link. It’s from ArdenB.
http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=137&subCategoryId=578&productId=13932&ref=ab_aff_pf_k108283&source=pf
October 30th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Oh yes, Laura, it’s interesting that you asked about the Burberry skirt. Which style is it? I matched up a Burberry skirt with a top the other day.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Angie, it’s the classic Burberry plaid kilt, and hits just above the knee. It’s about 10 years old now but I assume they still make them!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Oooh lovely. I’d pair the Burberry kilt with a sleek sleeved black knit-top, (tucked into the kilt) and bring on the edge with black opaques and black heels.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Oh no! There are no more in my size!
Perhaps I’ll find some other pretty tartan trifle. 
October 31st, 2008 at 4:27 am
This season I am looking for a tartan skirt that is blue or brown based, so it is a bit more neutral. I have found one, but I am waiting for it to go on sale as it is expensive. I love the colour mix of bright red tartans, but I have vivid memories of the eighties and feel I am too old to wear a bright red tartan shirt again.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:39 am
I like tartan–though I’m never sure what makes plaid tartan opposed to another kind of plaid. I don’t think I’ll be buying anything tartan this season though. I am steering away from trendy pieces for monetary reasons. But, if I were to splurge, it would most likely be an accessory or shoes. (Loved the shoes in the blog entry). How about scarves?? Is tartan (or any plaid) stylish for a scarf? I have a cashmere brown plaid scarf that I put out of service because I thought it was dated.
October 31st, 2008 at 4:45 am
My mother-in-law just gave me a vintage tartan skirt (she bought it in England in the 60’s) that is just gorgeous! I wish it was a pencil skirt though - it’s more of a calf-length A-line. Does Tartan work in all seasons? I always think of it as a late fall/Christmas time look…
October 31st, 2008 at 6:46 am
Loved these shoes too, tried the link in Angie’s blog but they were sold out in my size. Did some searching and Shoes.com has these adorable Jessica Bennett “Gellar” shoes in the blue/grey and also in a very sharp red/white plaid still available in many sizes:
http://www.shoes.com/Shop/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1074928
Use coupon code: entshoes09 for 20% off and the cost is less than Zappos!
October 31st, 2008 at 7:52 am
Thanks Angie - I will try your suggestion with the kilt and post photos!
October 31st, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hi Angie,
First time for me responding to your post.
Thank you for all the valuable information you share.
Are we blessed or what?!
I was lucky enough to be in Edinburgh, Scotland this
past summer. I bought a light grey/stone and black plaid
cape. I was not sure about it at the time but the color is great
for me as I am fair skinned and blonde.
I bought it at a factory outlet that is on Burlington Street if anyone is interested/going to Edinburgh. Lots of tourist stuff there alsonot just clothes, local products too;shortbread,jewlery.. and all less $$ than you
would pay in the center of Edinburgh.
Kellee
October 31st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I love tartan. That said, I agree with you Angie. Even though I was only 5 years old at the end of the 80s, the tartan shirts do not appeal to me. I prefer tartan in a sophisticated look or even a funky look, but not the country style that these shirts bring to mind. They look like some flannel shirts I wore in high school, which are now reserved for riding horses in the fall and winter. I could see a tartan shirt looking good, but only if it was paired very carefully. Currently I own 5 tartan skirts ranging from mini to mid-calf. Someday I would love to have a shawl in my family tartan (which is extremely difficult to find), but those are too expensive for my poor-college-student budget.
Sal, I love your new skirt!
Antje, I love the idea of a tartan waistcoat. Yum!
Shiny, I’m jealous that you have a husband who is brave enough to wear a kilt.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I love tartan skirts - the actual “kilt” look, with side pleats, buckles, above knee or even shorter. I wear them with simple black turtlenecks (or warmer sweaters), black tights (or hose) and knee high black boots.
December 12th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Found! Red tartan pencil skirt at and affordable $17.80!
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=btms&product_id=2056864113&Page=1
February 17th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
i recently bought a tarten seater vest. it is quite bold. i was wondering if anyone could suggest what to wear underneath that wouldn’t look horrible or foolish? any help would be lovely.