Plaid has been around for centuries. But is it a design, a textile, or both? Where did it come from and why does it have such great staying power in the fashion and design world? From shows like “Forever Plaid” on Broadway to the iconic lining of the London, England based Burberry brand, it goes without saying that as a culture we’ve been inundated with plaid for a long, long time! The origins of the plaid archetype itself come from the Scottish Tartan, which is most commonly associated with plaid. Think of bagpipe player’s kilts and you’ll know what I’m talking about. This well-known red and black pattern traditionally features crisscrossed horizontal and vertical lines of yarn that create that recognizable crisp look. Many plaid garments are made of wool or wool blends, so this pattern and texture is totally associated with the winter months, especially around the holidays. Though the pattern is considered traditional, designers today use a range of variations on it to create interesting garments for year round wear. Other examples of plaid patterns might include summery Madras, which is a very light weight cotton fabric with a checked design, and to a lesser degree Gingham that has equal sized bands in a simple woven pattern, and Tattersall which has wide bands alternating with narrow bands of contrasting colors.

We’ve all worn something plaid at one time or another. Take for example, the flannel shirt. This is a go-to item for lumberjacks and college students alike!  The very term “flannel shirt” usually brings to mind almost any shirt with a plaid or the aforementioned “tartan” pattern that is constructed of the soft cotton fabric.  During the winter months, it’s a good idea to scan the racks at Goodwill for a great looking plaid flannel shirt. This is a wonderful layering piece and can give anyone a little bit of that “Northwoods” feeling when worn with jeans and hiking boots. Practical as well as stylish, look for a colorful pattern that suits you and it could become a go to item for your wardrobe this season!

Now let’s take on the kilt! This skirt was a military garment that featured the plaid pattern associated with the region, or the area soldiers came from in Scotland.  This is also a common item in many other European countries for military wear as well. Over here stateside we tend to see the red-and-black pleated plaid skirt as part of a girls private school uniform. No matter what its origin, the plaid wool pleated skirt is a staple of women’s classic fashion. 

A little tougher to wear, but still viable for the bold fashionista, is the plaid sport coat, cardigan or tailored jacket. This topper was taken to extremes in the 70s when polyester versions of this over-confident pattern were used to create loud suits that were the realm of sketchy-used car salesmen and are now considered extremely tacky!

A great way to incorporate plaid in some more subtle ways would be a fabulous wool scarf or hat. The pattern always gives whatever outfits you’re wearing it with a classic quality. Plaid accessories like shoes, handbags and belts will also offer you options for creating just the right look for your personal style. Whenever I walk by the racks of garments at Goodwill, I frequently stop for anything plaid. It is a solid player in the fashion game, and just like any good teammate it always has your back!

No matter what you look for at Goodwill, the one thing you’ll always find is a good neighbor. During this holiday season and all year round your local Goodwill organization is doing something of value for your community and that plaid scarf, or other item you just purchased will not only add some style to your look, but more importantly impact the life of someone less fortunate.