Plaid, check, tartan – whatever you call it, it’s back in season. The Tartan print, that iconic mesh of interlocking vertical and horizontal stripes, can be traced back to the Highlands of Scotland, where the checked pattern first became such an iconic winter trend. Over the centuries, the pattern has continuously appealed to designers and shoppers alike during the cold months of the year. However, such a classic print comes with its styling challenges. To help fashion your winter wardrobe, here are some of the best tips for wearing tartan that will have you calling for the check.
Start Small Not ready yet to be turning heads with tartan? Isa Arfen has you covered. Isa Arfen, the London-based brand lead by Serafine Sama, shows us that a little can go a long way. By using tartan as an accent, staple outfit can easily be elevated for the festivities. This fall, Instagram saw these simple jeans pop up in posts by influencers like Monikh Dale, Lucy Williams and Laura Jackson. Consider these the gate-way trousers to tartan.
Suit Up This one is a classic. Whether you wear the whole matching ensemble or just the blazer on its own, check works perfectly for any office dress codes, street style woes and fashion shows. This fun alternative to the office casual attire is perfect for any rising girl bosses who want to show that they mean business!
Size Matters Mixing and matching patterns can be intimidating, but check offers a simple solution. Take a big and a small print and make it work for you. With this fail-safe option for a full tartan look, layering never looked so good.
Color Combos If you have perfected mixing sizes, try mixing the colors weaving through your favorite check blazer. Tartan prints have endless color combinations, which means there are countless of colors you can pull from. Once you have the accent color, look for florals, solids or stripes in your wardrobe to match it. And if you prefer the muted tartan colors, they too like to be pair with bold colors like pink, red and yellow.
When in doubt... Just throw on your favorite coat! Check coats in check can be found at all price points and with winter’s cold breeze, they might as well be your best friend. With the variety of colors, sizes and patterns available, it is no wonder that this historic motif has become a symbol of heritage; a pattern of punk rebellion; and, today, a must-have winter trend. Bundle up because the tartan print isn’t going out of style any time soon!
