When is a Plaid a Tartan? (2024)

FAQs

What makes a plaid a tartan? ›

Both plaids and tartans are woven of stripes that meet at 90-degree angles. Tartans have an identical pattern of stripes running vertically and horizontally, resulting in overlapping square grids. Regular plaids are not necessarily the same in both directions, with variation in color, size, and/or pattern of stripes.

We follow Scottish tradition which sees tartan as a pattern with a recognised name, associated with a clan, family, or other community. So plaid is useful as a term to identify all the other tartan-like patterns that have no such association or heritage.

One of the main differences between Irish and Scottish kilts is the tartan pattern. Scottish kilts are often associated with clan tartans, which are unique patterns that represent different Scottish clans. Irish kilts, on the other hand, often feature plain colours such as green or orange shades.

kilt, knee-length skirtlike garment that is worn by men as a major element of the traditional national garb of Scotland. (The other main component of Highland dress, as the traditional male garb of Scotland is called, is the plaid, which is a rectangular length of cloth worn over the left shoulder.)

Tartans are almost always symmetrical, with the pattern (known as the 'sett') repeating in the same sequence both vertically or length-wise (the 'warp' on a weaving loom) and horizontally or width-wise (the 'weft' on a weaving loom). The colours visually mix into a composite shade where they cross.

A - For the purposes of the Register, the definition of 'tartan' is that contained within the Scottish Register of Tartans Act (2008) Section 2: 'A tartan is a design which is capable of being woven consisting of two or more alternating coloured stripes which combine vertically and horizontally to form a repeated ...

34 American states have their own tartan, along with 630 other tartans for American companies, cities, military organisations, fire departments, schools & universities, Highland games, sports teams, private individuals, police forces and a diverse range of other organisations including famous names such as the FBI, the ...

But here's the big take-away: there's no rule to stop you wearing any old clan or family tartan! That idea's a myth. Scottish tradition is all about welcoming outsiders into our community.

It has become so much part of the Burberry image that it has been trademarked and can now be regarded as a Corporate tartan. The basic sett remains the same even with official Burberry colour changes. Scottish Tartans Society thread count slightly different K24, W24, K24, LT84, R8.

Tartans on Outlander clansmen

The main “Outlander tartan” pattern is made of brown and blue-grey blocks and stripes, and has two additional variations. One of them has fine yellow and red stripes throughout the pattern, being the “Fraser” tartan, worn for the first time by Sam Heughan for his wedding.

Can non-Scottish people wear kilts? ›

One of the great things about kilts is that they are versatile and can be worn by anyone, regardless of their background. Non-Scottish grooms and groomsmen can wear kilts just as well as those with Scottish heritage.

To be faithful to Scottish tradition, only those descended from the Houses of Breadalbane, Cawdor and Loudoun should wear the tartans belonging to those houses; all other Campbells and members of other Campbell septs should wear Ancient or "plain" Campbell tartan, which is composed of threads of only three colors: blue ...

During the 18th century, Highland regiments in the British Army were known to wear kilts without anything underneath, which is where the term "going regimental" comes from. This practice was considered a display of toughness and masculinity, as well as a way to maintain mobility and comfort during battle.

The Jacobite risings demonstrated the dangers to central government of such warrior Highland clans, and as part of a series of measures the government of King George II imposed the "Dress Act" in 1746, outlawing men and boys wearing items of Highland dress including kilts (although an exception was made for the ...

In North America, plaid and tartan are used more or less interchangeably. Meanwhile in Scotland some checks are recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans. The simplest way to disentangle and remember this is that the word plaid can describe almost any criss-cross pattern.

History of the Imitated, Iconic Burberry Tartan

In the 1920s, the company introduced a distinct tartan plaid, sewing it within the lining of their popular trench coats. Today, this pattern is one of the most recognized symbols in fashion.

Plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide meaning 'blanket', was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan, which could be worn several ways: the belted plaid (breacan féile) or "great kilt" which preceded the modern kilt; the arisaid (earasaid), a large shawl that could be wrapped into a ...

The difference between plaids and checks lies in these repeating patterns. Checks are two colors and have the same stripe pattern in the warp and the weft. The finished cloth is always symmetrical. Plaids have more than two colors and more variety in their stripe layouts.

Originally, tartans were used to identify different clans and their respective territories. Today, tartans are still worn, but their use has expanded beyond just clan identification. Tartans are now commonly worn as a symbol of Scottish heritage and pride.