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I used to think plaid was strictly reserved for the hot latte and crunchy leaves season, with Luke Danes as the only exception. But guess who decided to pay us an early visit this year? Alright, so, is a plaid summer a smash or a pass? I’ll tell you everything you need to know to be able to decide.
Where Did Plaid Come From?
Image source – Scotland’s Enchanting Kingdom
Plaid has been around for a very long time. Like, ‘way before your great-grandparents were born’ around. As remarkably noted in the 99% Invisible podcast, “Lumberjacks wore plaid. Punks wore plaid miniskirts. The Beach Boys used to be called the Pendletones, and they wore plaid with their surfboards. So many different groups have adopted plaid that it almost doesn’t mean anything anymore.”
But it wasn’t always like this. Plaid used to be called ‘tartan’ and was used to decorate the clothing of the people of Scotland. The Scotsman who lived in the highlands would wrap themselves in a cloak-like garment, and that was basically plaid. Now, to clear up any confusion, tartan is a pattern or design, and plaid is a garment with tartan patterns on it.
The Dress Act of 1746 banned the highland clothing of tartans as a way of suppressing rebellion by the Hanoverian Empire. The ban lasted for over 30 years. This is when plaid spread to England and became fashionable. And, because the English ruled over India, the plaid influence took hold of India. Soon, other nations followed suit.
A Plaid Summer
Image source – Acne Studios
Designers from Tommy Hilfiger to Acne Studios made plaid feel fresh and fun again. If we talk about plaid dresses, they make me feel put together and elegant. Midi or mini, puff sleeve or strappy plaid makes them surprisingly breezy. It’s an instant polished look without a lot of effort.
Next, we’ve got plaid tops. Designers are layering them over tanks, tying them around the waist, or basically any non-dad way. Bottega Veneta styled them as jackets and blouses, whereas Acne Studios went with a plaid button-down and a bow skirt. I’m so picking up what they’re putting down.
Moving on to the plaid pants, they’re wide, lightweight, and almost pyjama-looking. I saw a baby blue gingham pair the other day, worn with a circle neck tee and sneakers. So, I’m in love. You could also opt for plaid shorts, there are a lot of cute ones.
If plaid outfits aren’t your thing, try plaid accessories. Scarves, handbags, totes, scrunchies and even sunglasses with subtle patterns can elevate your everyday looks.
What do you think? Are you wearing plaid this summer, or are you still emotionally tied to florals? Let me know in the comments. And, yes, I am aware that my Luke Danes bias is showing, but I don’t care because I am who I am.
