Tartan

Tartan is a traditional Scottish pattern of coloured stripes crossing at right angles. Each clan had its own tartan, and many are still registered. Wool tartan is what a kilt is made of.

In everyday speech any fabric in such a check, wool or cotton, is called tartan or plaid. The stripes are the same in both directions, so the check comes out square.

Tartan: a many-coloured check of stripes of different widths, as in the photo above.

Gingham: a small two-colour check where white crosses one colour. The classic for summer dresses and shirts.

Glen plaid (Prince of Wales check): a small check of groups of fine lines, often grey, for suits. Madras: a bright light cotton check from India.

Wool tartan is warm and dense: for skirts, coats, jackets and throws. Cotton is softer and lighter: for shirts, dresses and children’s clothes. Checked cotton flannel is warm and soft, for autumn shirts.

More about these fabrics in the articles «Suiting wool» and «Cotton».

Skirts (especially pleated), shirts, dresses, jackets, coats and scarves. A check draws the eye, so one checked garment pairs best with plain ones.

Tartan is cut so the checks meet at the seams: how to do it is in the article «How to cut checked fabric».