The Enduring Appeal of Tartan: A Guide to Styling This Season's Hottest Trend
Tartan, checks, and plaid patterns are experiencing a resurgence in popularity this season, gracing a wide array of fashion items. From traditional pleated skirts to sophisticated tailored trousers and voluminous coats, this classic print is proving its versatility. While typically favored for autumn and winter, tartan has surprisingly transitioned into lighter iterations for summer, featuring brighter, seasonally-appropriate neon and pastel tones on airy chiffons and soft cottons. This adaptability allows for creative layering and statement-making ensembles, making tartan a prominent and non-negotiable staple in contemporary wardrobes.
The Ubiquitous Charm of Tartan: A Seasonal Fashion Report
In the bustling fashion landscape of London, the recent Autumn/Winter 2025 runways showcased tartan and plaid in their full glory, redefining traditional interpretations. Designers presented innovative approaches, breathing new life into these enduring patterns. Jawara Alleyne's collection ingeniously deconstructed classic plaids and checks, reassembling them with a punk-inspired edge, notably incorporating safety pins as a design element. Meanwhile, Talia Byre championed a maximalist aesthetic, fearlessly combining clashing checks in striking shades of blue, brown, and purple. Iconic brand Burberry, a long-standing proponent of checked patterns, delivered an abundance of tartan prints across a range of garments, including elegant pleated skirts, luxurious double-faced wool coats, and classic trench coats featuring their signature check lining, reinforcing their rich heritage.
Reflecting on the enduring appeal of tartan, British Vogue's shopping editor, Joy Montgomery, shares her personal appreciation for its unique blend of aristocratic charm and punk rebellion, a style popularized by British fashion icons like Stella Tennant and Alexa Chung in the 2010s. She envisions embracing this aesthetic with a tartan kilt, a cozy cable-knit sweater, and knee-high riding boots, humorously adding that a matching estate would complete the look. The key to successfully styling this iconic print, she advises, lies in achieving balance. For instance, pairing a voluminous tartan coat with streamlined, tailored trousers creates a compelling autumnal contrast. Alternatively, a timeless plaid mini-skirt can be given a modern edge when combined with a relaxed knit and sturdy biker boots. Layering is another effective technique, such as wearing a kilt over jeans or casually tying a tartan shirt around the waist. For those who prefer a more understated approach, subtle checks on tailored suits and scarves offer a refined way to incorporate the trend.