Plaid-tastic
Time to put a fresh spin on a really old fall and winter fashion
By Erin Loomis 12/03/2009
A lumberjack, a schoolgirl and a grunge garage rocker from Seattle walk into a bar. What do they have in common?
Nothing — except a keen sense of fall fashion!
It may be accidental, but these crazy characters are all in sync with one of this fall’s hottest trends. Plaid is back, which shouldn’t be too surprising. Traditionally, plaid rears its head about this time every year. Once there is a chill in the air and holiday gatherings to attend, something about plaid screams “Wear me! I’m cozy! I’m festive. I look good on Scottie dogs and people alike!”
Plaid’s cheerful demeanor and use in adorable mini-dresses, cozy fitted flannel shirts and cropped coats this season is a bit ironic due to the fact that it has a somewhat checkered past (pun appropriate, but not really intended).
Plaid, or more specifically, the classic tartan pattern characterized by sets of lines crossing at right angles, was popularized in and is generally associated with Scotland, wrapping paper and Catholic school uniforms. However, this hip fall style has been a must-have for Celts and other various nations since about 200 BC.
In fact a 3,000-year-old mummy was recently discovered wearing tartan leggings. Talk about old styles making a comeback! H&M is currently carrying some totally cute, inexpensive plaid leggings that can easily spice up any holiday ensemble.
Originally, the specific patterns and colors found in traditional plaid garments were representative of certain regions in Scotland, catering to the tastes of locals and utilizing dyes and fabrics found nearby. This would be like if Pasadena had a local textile plant that specialized in a certain color pattern and fabric weave. Anywhere you went, people would know you lived in Pasadena just by looking at your ensemble.
Later on, these patterns became more specific, with certain colors and patterns representing and identifying individual families, or clans. At that point, people would be able to identify you down to who your folks were and who you hung out with by counting stripes and paying attention to color combinations — not unlike modern street gangs. In fact, clan-specific tartans were outlawed at one point in an effort to stop feuding between the groups. Sound familiar?
So next time you are out shopping for that pleasant, cozy holiday ensemble, perhaps take a moment to appreciate that it’s no longer illegal to rock plaid.
And when people give you grief for dusting off your favorite wooly flannel from 1992, remind them that it could be a hell of a lot older, untie it from your waist, turn off the Nirvana and go shopping.
It’s time for a fresh spin on a really, really, really old fall trend. Seriously, get some new plaid already; even mummies are hipper than you.
Contact Erin Loomis at madeupbyloomis@gmail.com.
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