Plaid Vs Tartan: Learn The Difference – 2025

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Picture a roaring fire in the fireplace, a steaming mug of mulled cider, and you cocooned in a cozy plaid blanket. An image of warmth, comfort, and style – that’s what ‘plaid’ evokes! But did you know there are various types of plaids? Plaid vs tartan is one such comparison often made by people when they talk about fabric patterns.

Tartans have been around for centuries as part of Scottish culture, while modern-day checkered prints fall under the category called ‘plaid’.

In this article, we will explore why understanding the distinction between plaid vs tartan matters so much – right down to their definitions, characteristics, differentiations between countries, etc.

History and Origins of Plaid

You may have heard of the iconic Scottish plaid, but did you know its history dates back to ancient times and has been used to tell apart friends from foes in battle? Plaid is an old Scottish word for a blanket or wrap that describes a crisscross pattern of tartans or similar.

The fabric woven in these patterns was traditionally made from wool or a wool/linen mix.

Each locality had its own designs incorporating local plant-life for dyes, which became known as tartan. It wasn’t until the 19th century that this cloth was formally associated with clans. Kilts and other Highland Dress outfits are commonly accessorized with plaid worn over the shoulder – called the fly.

American usage sees plaid as any checked cloth, while they use ‘tartan’ when referring to one associated with a clan identification.

An important distinction between Plaids versus Tartans lies within their repetitive lines: whilst both contain horizontal and vertical stripes intersecting at 90-degree angles, only Tartans maintain such form uninterrupted across the fabric length!

Plaid Vs Tartan Vs Check

You may be wondering what the difference is between plaid, tartan, and check patterns. Plaids are any crisscross pattern of two or more colors. Tartans have a name to identify a community. Checks usually have a regular pattern with only two colors. Each fabric has its own distinct characteristics that make it unique.

Tartans should always have an identifiable name, appear irregularly throughout, and can be designed online, while check fabrics tend to feature regularly repeating stripes. Plaid, on the other hand, often features repetition in some sections but not necessarily across the whole length.

Different Criss-cross Patterns

Beyond the iconic Scottish blanket, criss-cross patterns come in many different varieties. From traditional tartan fabrics to checked cloths of two or more colors, plaid patterns have been used for centuries as a way to identify clans and kilt outfits.

Local plant life is often used to create dye for these colorful pieces, like the fly plaid draped over shoulders, arisaid plaide worn by women, and shepherd’s or drummer’s plaid popularized by pipers.

Plaids are versatile; they can be simple checks with regular patterning but also incorporate clan identifiers into intricate designs that never lose their unique charm across generations.

Definition and Characteristics

Discovering the definition and characteristics of criss-cross patterns can be a delightful journey, from traditional motifs to dye techniques. Fabric types range from simple checks to intricate designs with pattern recognition tied to specific clans.

Kilt styles like the belted plaid and piper’s plaid incorporate these patterns in unique ways, while tartan fabrics have their own distinct ‘sett’ pattern. The word ‘plaid’ refers to both the cloth itself and an accessory worn over Highland dress outfits, while tartans are associated with specific clans and registered with authorities for design protection.

Plaid as a Fabric or Material

Feel the warmth and comfort of traditional Scottish fabrics, like wool or a wool/linen mix woven with crisscross patterns of two or more colors. Plaid is an old Scottish word for a blanket or wrap with three overlapping but distinct meanings.

It describes the pattern, fabric in those tartan-style patterns, and types of garments. Tartans should always have an identifiable name associated with a clan and appear irregularly throughout, while check fabrics usually feature regularly repeating stripes.

Plaids differ from tartans in that their sett pattern is not necessarily present across its whole length. They can be used as both a garment accessory and cloth material using dyes from local plant-life to create unique colors.

Plaid has been incorporated into Highland dress since the 16th century when it helped differentiate friends from foes in battle due to its association with clans.

Plaid as a Garment or Blanket

You’ll be wrapped in warmth and comfort with a traditional garment, like the belted plaid or fly plaid, that will leave you feeling as cozy as can be! Plaids are not only used for cloth materials but also for garments like blankets.

The Scottish plaid has been worn since the 16th century and comes in various styles such as arisaid, shepherd’s, or piper’s plaids. These garments were originally used to differentiate friends from foes during battles due to their clan associations.

Woven fibers of wool or wool/linen mix give these plaids durability, while local plant dyes create unique colors, making each garment one-of-a-kind.

Whether it’s draped over your shoulder at a Highland Games event or snuggled up on your couch at home, a traditional tartan blanket is perfect for any occasion!

Garment Style	Description
Belted Plaid	A long piece of fabric fastened around the waist with excess material thrown over one shoulder
Fly Plaid	A smaller section of fabric pinned onto jacket lapel with excess material draped across back
Arisad Plaid	Traditional women’s dress style made by wrapping an open-ended rectangular length around upper body leaving arms free

Table: Different Styles Of Scottish Garments.

Tartan: Meaning and Characteristics

Experience the unique characteristics of tartan, a fabric woven with patterns of colored check boxes and intersecting lines associated with a clan. Tartans have their roots in Scotland’s Gaelic language, where plaid originally meant ‘blanket’.

The traditional weave is made from 100% pure worsted wool, which is dyed using natural plant-life for color.

Each local area had its own favorite designs to differentiate friends and foes in battle, becoming known as tartan. Clan Scotweb even has an online design service so you can create your own! Check patterns are another form of plaids that usually consist of two colors instead but still feature crossed horizontal and vertical lines forming squares throughout the cloth.

While all tartans are technically plaids, not all plaids can be called a true tartan – only those registered by Scottish Tartan Authority qualify! Plaid remains an accessory to Highland Dress outfits; draped over one shoulder or snuggled up on your couch at home, it’ll keep you warm no matter what occasion!

Plaid in the US and UK

You may be familiar with the terms plaid and tartan but unsure of how they differ. In the US, plaid refers to any checked cloth of two or more colors, while in the UK, it generally means a long rectangular-shaped piece worn over one shoulder.

Tartans are distinguishable by their patterns, which can include stripes forming squares throughout. These should always have a recognized name or history behind them and must be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority for authenticity when purchasing! It’s important to understand that all tartans are technically plaids, though not all plaids can qualify as true tartans.

Understanding the Differences

Understand the difference between a tartan and a plaid – the former is registered by the Scottish Tartan Authority with unique, historically inspired patterns, while the latter is characterized by two-color check designs that are sure to keep you cozy in modern times.

Traditional tartans were woven from wool or wool/linen mix using natural plant-life for dyes, while plaids of any crisscross pattern can be found in many forms today.

Tartans have repetitive lines throughout that don’t change. Plaids differ as their sett pattern isn’t always present.

Kilts feature an over shoulder ‘plaid’ made from pure worsted wool. US citizens use ‘tartan’ for clan-associated plaid designs.

Checks feature regular patterns usually of two colors, but unlike true tartans, they cannot provide clan associations or traditional history.

Purchasing and Ordering

When it comes to shopping for plaid and tartan fabrics, you have many options. In the UK, shops like MacGregor and MacDuff offer a range of traditional plaids for purchase. In the US, look for tartans associated with specific clans or opt for generic plaid designs.

Many online retailers allow customization of tartan patterns using services like Scottish Tartan Design Service. Remember that true tartans are woven from wool while plaids can be any crisscross pattern in various forms today.

Cloth Types	Pattern Names	Ordering Options
Wool Tartan 100% Pure Worsted Wool Kilt Fabric	Black Watch Clan Tartan	Purchase a Plaid from Shops Like MacGregor & MacDuff (UK)
Poly-Viscose Adult Kilts – Modern Hybrid Blend	Heritage of Scotland Tartan	Some Plaid Can Be Ordered Online (US)
Muted Colors & Traditional Patterns	Royal Stewart Red	Customize Your Own Designs Using Scottish Tartan Design Services.

Why Knowing the Difference Matters

It’s important to know the difference between plaid and tartan for a variety of reasons.

Plaids, which are any crisscross patterns of two or more colors, can be used to show clan identity or simply for fabric choice when styling an outfit.

Tartans have a specific set pattern that must always be present and should also have a recognized name with history behind it. They need to be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority before purchase if you wish them to retain authenticity.

The repetitive nature of these designs in tartans makes them easily recognizable – something that cannot necessarily occur with regular plaids due to their lack of sett patterning throughout the cloth length.

So understanding this distinction is key not only when selecting your fabrics but also in recognizing various clans’ traditional patterns at events like Highland Gatherings!

Being knowledgeable on this subject allows us all access into Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, making sure we appreciate both the importance behind each design as well as its aesthetic appeal too!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)