Some preferences for a certain style or clothing item are already set very early in life. Here I share my love story for tartan and how you can style tartan in general the easiest way.
- A too big tartan pleat skirt got it started
- Different Personal Styles need different Plaid size
- Wrap tartan with big safety pin
- Further plaid skirt replacements
- Plaid blazer and mixing prints and patterns
- Which weave works when?
- Stylish Monday – Mad for plaid
Disclosure: This post has affiliate links.
A too big tartan pleat skirt got it started
My love for tartan goes back to my childhood. My Great-aunt and Godmother “Tante Berta” gave me a great green tartan pleat skirt that I wore all time in winter from kindergarten to second grade. She was of the Great War generation and always bought clothing for children too big so the child could “grow into” them as she reasoned it. Thus, this skirt was first a little (way) too large.
Therefore, my mother had taken a pleat in on the left and right side of the skirt. Later when this was too tight, she let one out and then again later, she let out the other. I loved that skirt especially with a white turtleneck. I remember that for a school photo I wore this skirt with the white turtleneck. My mother was later upset that I hadn’t reminded her that the photographer would come that day to school. I liked the look how she had styled my Bristish Classic outfit. She was uspset because she had to pay for a portrait of mine that was black and white as she said.
Different Personal Styles need different Plaid size
My Mom coordinated the skirt with tops in colors of the pattern. That’s the easiest way to create a nice working look. Did you know that the you look the most sophisticated in plaid when you wear the pattern that reflects your personal style?
Wrap tartan with big safety pin
Once I had grown out of the skirt I wanted a new one. It was not before fourth grade that this happened. My second tartan skirt was actually more authentic because it actually was a wrap skirt. It was closed by a big safety pin, two leather buckle closures and a hidden button at the waist band. The skirt was winter white wool background with red, hunter-green, blue and yellow with some black. I used to wear it with red, black, green or blue turtleneck sweaters, winter white tights and Mary Janes or lace loafers.
Further Plaid Skirt Replacements
The brown skirt in the photo above was the third tartan skirt I owned. I loved it so much that I bought a similar in fuchsia with purple. It has a bias cut with slight A-shape. The fifth plaid skirt was similar to the second, but just in winter white, blue and black weave. I got it in Fairbanks when there was still an Eddie Bauer in town. 🙁
The photos below show one of my current pieces in the classic Burberry pattern in pink styled for the office.
Plaid Blazer and Mixing Prints and Patterns
As the photos above illustrate the multiple color fabric works also well with stripes and even with floral and leopard. There is no reason to limit yourself to the Scottish way to wear the fabric. Try a to style a plaid dress for the holiday work party, or wear a checkered sheath, blazer, coat or even boots. The options are nearly endless.
In the outfit below, for example, I wore my Burberry wool blazer for the commute. Thus, two tartans at once. Underneath the blazer I wore a floral silk top and a leopard printed cotton cardigan as seen in the photo above. The black tights and shoes ground the mixing of print and patterns because it occurs in all three other pieces. The wild combination of patterns and prints works as they are all in the same color family and have different size.
Learn How to Dress for Success in Midlife with my book. Buy it now.
Which Weave Works When?
This classic color weave comes in various sizes and hence has different vibes and matches with different personal styles. Thus, it is a great thing for everyone, yearround and an eternal classic. In spring, gingham looks fresh and season appropriate. In summer, a flanel plaid shirt knotted around the waist is a perfect stylish coverup when dressing an outdoor concert. In the cold season, a tartan blazer or skirt are great business casual style.
GNW Luxe top, Kieselstein Cord belt, Hermes buckle, Pendleton wide Glen check trousers, Antonio Melani booties, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and statement necklace (all own)
Tahari glen check blazer, Harley Davidson booties, Modalu Pippa tote, updo with barrette, leopard tight, and Aires skirt (all own)
London Jean white denim boyfriend jeans, Hermes collier de chien leather wrap and bangle, hair jewelry, Modalo Pippa bag, Madonna True or Dare floral patent leather pumps, and gingham shirt c/o Whistle River
Cape worn over a Vittura shearling coat, Hipstik tights, Vince Camuto suede boots, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, hat and 3.1 Philip Lim tote (all own)
Ruby Belle sheath dress, GNW Luxe wool cashmere sweater, GNW tights and Antonio Melani booties (all own) and DIY brooch worn on the waist
Pendleton wool pleated skirt, L.K. Bennett boots, Kieselstein Cord belt and three horses buckle (all own) and blouse c/o Ethyl Clothing
When buying the classic flanel shirts make sure they don’t look like the top of your PJs. In general, carefully look at any type of checkered clothing and learn buying plaid to not look cheap.
Stylish Monday – Mad for Plaid
Given the versatility of this phantastic weave, my style blogging friends and I chose to feature it in this month’s Stylish Monday collaboration.
Join Suzanne from Ask Suzanne Bell, Robin from Hello I’m 50ish, Michele from IG chelle, Andy Schwartz from Pearls and Pantsuits, Julie Augustyn from Fashion Friends and Trends, Nancy Baten from Nancy’s Fashion Style, Nina Andersen from Sharing a Journey, Cindy Scruy from the Middle Sister Blog here on wordpress.com, Emma from the Style Splash, and me at the
and show us how you wear your plaid. Also see how they style theirs.
Get the support, motivation, and tips to look to your best in life. Subscribe to High Latitude Style. Deep inside you know when I can do it you can do it too.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
© 2013-2021 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved
