30 Seriously Cool Tartan Pieces We’re Loving Right Now
Fashion often returns to the tartan trend – we’d go as far as saying it’s actually a neutral. This season is no exception with high-end brands like Gucci and Loewe embracing the trend, and London-based cool-girl favourite, Damson Madder, bringing a punkish spirit to the heritage print.
Tartan is one of those fashion trends that feels traditional and modern in the same breath. Its versatility and cultural identity within fashion are vast, having been traced in some iteration way back to 3000 BC. But what we love the most and find continually flattering about tartan is that it’s fashion’s ultimate contradiction – a versatile, so loved fabric that it’s been worn by everyone from The Queen to the Sex Pistols. It can feel both punk and grunge, as well as prim and proper and you’ll find just about every type of garment, every season, in the much-loved Scottish cloth somewhere.
A fabric so versatile, so loved, that it’s been worn by everyone from The Queen to the Sex Pistols – tartan is the ultimate fashion contradiction.
We couldn’t run a story on tartan without mentioning the late great Vivienne Westwood. The designer was the grande dame of the Scottish weave – in a contemporary sense – working it into her iconic punk aesthetic, onto shoes and accessories, and into period drama-worthy corsetry – remember that iconic moment of Naomi Campbell tumbling down the runway dripping in head-to-toe Westwood tartan? She even designed and registered her tartan designs and there is no doubt that today’s designers flirting with the print have been influenced by Westwood at some point. This season’s return to the trend feels like a timely, sentimental cap tip to the icon.
Although a failsafe look in the day – a boyish tartan shirt paired with straight-leg denim and chunky loafers is a go-to – tartan can also feel really romantic in the evening. A dress made up of frothy layers of taffeta and puffed sleeves – we’re looking at you, Molly Goddard – or a tartan co-ord in punchy colours by La Veste will ensure you stand out in a sea of little black dresses. It’s also an ideal look if you have an upcoming Burns Night Supper in the diary.
Scroll to shop our edit of tartan pieces this season…
La Veste’s tartan co-ords in punchy colours will ensure you stand out in a sea of little black dresses.
A boyish tartan shirt paired with straight-leg denim and chunky loafers is a go-to for daytime dressing.
London-based label, Damson Madder, bring a punkish spirit to the heritage print.
Caro Edition’s belted tartan blazer is a modern girl’s nod to the iconic styles of Vivienne Westwood.
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