Fashion’s Tartan Army

OK, so when you hear the word ‘tartan’ thrown into a sentence, you’re probably not alone in picturing a man in a kilt... but not anymore!

With thanks to a few inspirational figures such as Vivienne Westwood, Agyness Deyn and her close friend, designer Henry Holland, to name a few, tartan became one of the prints of the season for Spring/Summer 08 and it looks to be staying well into the Autumn.

The eccentric partnership of Henry Holland and Agyness Deyn first experimented with tartan when Holland produced a tiered tartan wedding dress (along with eye-patch and antlers!) for London Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 08.





















Fast-forward to Paris Fashion Week, for Autumn/Winter 08, D&G featured the pattern across coats and dresses with House of Holland, Ralph Lauren and Just Cavalli echoing the movement.



















With the likes of Aggy and Gwen Stefani pioneering the look, the High Street has caught on quickly with tartan appearing across a wide range of products from dresses to jackets to shorts, all in a variety of colour ways.

The way to wear tartan differs depending on you really. Personally, I would go for one key tartan piece like this tartan trench coat from Topshop at £80.

Partner it with a simple vest, super skinny jeans and of course the standard skyscraper heels like these from Carvela (£85) for a Vivienne Westwood feel.

If even this is a little bold for you then accessories are a great way to introduce this trend into your wardrobe. We love this Tartan Flower Headband Topshop, £6

Or perhaps you could try a check shirt for a more muted attempt at the trend. Make a trip to New Look for this stunning check shirt (£14).

Alternatively, for the more adventurous, the way to wear tartan is to mix and match multiple checks throughout your outfit. Perhaps teaming a plaid prom dress, like this one from Oasis with a fitted jacket like these from Topshop, similar to the D&G look this season.

Bow Prom dress Oasis (http://www.oasis-stores.co.uk/), £70

Tartan Peplum jacket Topshop (http://www.topshop.co.uk/) , £55

Cinched waist tartan jacket from Topshop (http://www.topshop.co.uk/) , £50

Whichever way you decide to wear your plaid, just make sure it is vivid with shots of bright colours like violet, emerald and turquoise giving the whole look a younger fresher feel.

And remember; you needn’t be head to toe in plaid, make the trend work for you and your style!

Post written by:

Alexa Gilbert

(London College of Fashion)

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