16 Ways to Wear Plaid - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

What is the most famous plaid? ›

Tartan plaid is most certainly the most famous and recognizable member of what we consider today as the plaid family. This pattern is most likely the first that comes to mind when thinking of plaid since we see so many historical tartans (and variations of them) in the world today.

The Lowdown: Plaid might not be exciting on its own, but when combined with other plaids, it becomes an eye-catching, statement-making look. To get the ultimate use of your plaid mix, apply the rule of opposites — opposite sizes, patterns and colors — and throw in a contrasting color if you're feeling more adventurous.

Use complementary or matching colors with plaid flannel shirts to create a put-together look. Aim to match with corduroy leggings or even jeans with elements of the colors in your plaid top. It helps to choose plaid that has some overlap, so you can double up on basic tees and tanks to match multiple plaid patterns.

Plaid Becomes Popular

Plaid's popularity surged in the 1970s, and even when its significance diminished in the late 80s it still became a favorite of punk rock fans.

The plaids that we associate with Christmas are Tartan plaid. But plaid in some form has been around since the 8th century BC. The different colors and patterns of tartan began based on which dyes and materials were available for the weavers.

Outside of Scotland, tartan is also known as "plaid" (particularly in North America), however in Scotland, a plaid is a large piece of tartan cloth, worn as a type of kilt or large shawl.

Don't be afraid to mix different plaids in your outfit.

“Just be sure that there is an anchoring commonality that helps the two plaids make sense together, such as similar color palettes or the same plaid pattern (tartan and tartan, buffalo check and buffalo check, windowpane and windowpane, etc.).”

A large, simple plaid looks perfect when paired with a smaller, busier, more colorful plaid. You can't go wrong with black on black so try pairing with stripes or more plaid in black, white, or grey. Like all pattern mixing, the key to pairing plaids is to mix complementary colors and tones.

Although the name buffalo plaid might trick you into thinking it's an American invention, do a little digging and you'll find that the buffalo plaid is actually the MacGregor Red and Black pattern.

Red Royal Stewart

It is the most popular and most recognizable tartan. Pairs well with the holiday season because of its colors.

Does plaid make you look bigger or smaller? ›

Don't you just LOVE plaid? It's one of those classic patterns that will always be around, especially this time of year. Because of the often larger, bolder horizontal and vertical lines, the effect can enlarge the figure... looking like bricks on a house.

If the hem is short and straight, it is likely made to be worn untucked. In fact, it may not look good at all if tucked in. In contrast, if the hem is uneven and has a longer front or back, it is made to be tucked in and will look good that way.

We need comfort.

Plaid is an historic pattern that has been used for centuries. It is a pattern associated with coziness, since it usually covers thick, insulated, cold-weather gear like blankets and scarves.

Flannel clothing would hold up against harsh weather and arduous work. The gritty images of railroad workers and lumberjacks in plaid flannel shirts working on these massive projects were popularized through the media and became synonymous with the American prospector.

Scottish families have carried this tradition, but in the fashion world, these patterns somehow will never go out of style. Suffice it to say, this is probably one of the Scottish's legacies in the fashion world. That said, we probably have no idea just how many types of plaid patterns there are to date!

Mini-check is a very small, even sized checkered pattern. It is typically one color with white, and although it is similar to gingham, it is much smaller. Mini-checks are more casual than stripes, but dressier than large checks.

The Scottish plaid was traditionally woven from wool or a wool/linen mix, and it's this cloth or material that the word tartan first described.

Madras Plaid

It is very colorful and bright, thanks to its colors, such as orange, white, and yellow, that represent its origin. The pattern is also commonly found on lightweight, airy cotton fabrics, perfect for summer clothes and blankets.

To be precise, the pattern we know as plaid is actually called “tartan.” Tartans are weaves of alternating bands woven at right angles, while “plaid” originally referred to the heavy woolen clothes that bore this pattern. Scots would use them as blankets or would sling them over their shoulders.

Check patterns are much simpler than plaids—think checkerboards! Checks are always symmetrical, consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical lines that form equally sized tiles. So, while plaids create a cross-hatched look, checks resemble miniature boxes.

What is preppy plaid? ›

Preppy describes those that attend private preparatory school, where they wear uniforms of PLAID. So naturally plaid is perfect for you prepsters. You don't want to look like you're actually dressed for school, so pair your plaid with non-uniform-like pieces such as denim.

The plaid pattern, especially if the colors are burgundy or green, fits right in with a fall wardrobe. Plaid is also popular in the Winter and Spring seasons. In the Fall, you can wear plaid alone or layered with other clothes.

A sport coat with a plaid pattern has an undeniable look that's both subtle and eye-catching. A suit like this can be paired with any occasion like a wedding or party, from casual to formal. A plaid suit is a great look for a wedding or a more formal event. But they are not an ideal sign for an everyday suit.

One color plaid is a great choice, better even if you floral patterns matches each other. In a room you can balance both and the result can be very elegant and calm. Or go for the more extravagant, playful look. Mix and match colors, sizes of the patterns and even textures.

One of the simplest ways to mix patterns is to layer patterns with two different scales. Pairing a small-scale print with a large-scale pattern allows the smaller scale to work as a neutral. In this way, a skirt with a tiny floral print can work with a large-format plaid flannel for a grunge look.

Pick out a neutral-toned top or some neutral bottoms to act as the base of your outfit. Then, layer your plaid garment over top to add an extra burst of color! Choose neutral-colored shoes to finish off your look. You might wear a black tee and jeans with a brightly-colored plaid flannel with black boots.

The plaid, specifically the tartan, has a vibrant history. If you begin tracing it, the plaid can symbolize loyalty or even rebellion (as in the case of The Dress Act of 1746). The fact remains, the plaid is not just a simple pattern of the fabric, it's a symbol of a country's identity and rich history.

With origins dating back to the 1800's in Scotland, this type of plaid was originally brought to America in the form of warm blankets. Later popularized by Woolrich and traditionally red and black, buffalo plaid consists of two colored yarns woven in stripes to create large intersecting blocks.

Today, Madras plaids are always used on lightweight cloth, most commonly for summer button-down shirts and shorts. Madras fabrics will often feature bright, vibrant colors, woven into a pattern that resembles tartan.

A dark plaid mixes perfectly with caramel colors, emerald green, and classic navy.

What is the difference between plaid and checkered? ›

Plaid patterns are generally more complex, while check patterns are much simpler. Checks are always symmetrical patterns, wherein, the inter-crossing horizontal and vertical lines form even-sized tiles or squares.

In the early 1970s, boys' trousers came in bright colors and bold patterns. Plaids and stripes were especially popular and many had matching vests, often belted (Fig. 27). These elements were worn with brightly colored button-down shirts and sometimes with a matching jacket.

Rule #4 Use plaids and prints with caution

Plaids and large prints can be distracting in a photo. If you choose to have a plaid or print rather than a solid color top be sure to choose subdued patterns. If two or more people are wearing plaids or stripes it's important that they work well together.

In people with PLAID, the granulomas do not occur in warm regions of the body, such as the armpits and other skin folds. In many people with PLAID, immune system function is reduced, leading to recurrent infections such as frequent colds, ear infections, or bouts of pneumonia.

Burberry is one of the most sought-after luxury brands on the resale market. This English company rose to popularity in the late 1800s for their water-resistant trench coats made of gabardine. In the 1920s, the company introduced a distinct tartan plaid, sewing it within the lining of their popular trench coats.

These describe the crisscross pattern of tartans or similar; the fabrics or cloth woven in those tartan-style patterns; and a type of traditional garment worn in various styles. In Scotland, the word plaid is seldom used to mean a tartan-like fabric.

Royal Stewart is the most popular plaid, according to the Scottish Register of Tartans and was originally the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and The Royal House of Stewart. Traditionally, Royal Stewart should only be worn with the permission of the Monarch.