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Tartan outfits, and tartan vs plaid
A red tartan mini with a fur-cuffed jacket. A gold tartan gown split over white ruffles. A navy tartan maxi with a baker boy cap. Tartan is the one pattern that works from school run to black tie — once you know how the colors are built.
Tartan vs plaid
Every tartan is a plaid, but not every plaid is a tartan. Tartan is a woven pattern of crossing horizontal and vertical stripes in set widths and colors, repeated identically in both directions; many are registered to Scottish clans, regiments or places. Plaid is the broader word, used in North America for any crisscross check — tartan, gingham, buffalo check, windowpane and madras all count.
In practice: if the pattern has several stripe widths and three or more colors that cross to make new shades, it is a tartan. If it is two colors in even squares, it is gingham or buffalo check.
Classic tartan color combinations
- Royal Stewart: red base with navy, green, yellow and white lines.
- Black Watch: navy and dark green with black — the quiet one.
- Dress Gordon / yellow tartans: navy and green crossed with a bright yellow line.
- Burberry-style check: camel with black, white and red.
- Pastel tartans: pink, lilac, mint and baby blue for a softer, modern look.
Minis and short tartan
Long skirts, gowns and tailoring
How to color tartan
- Pick the base color first — red, navy, green or gold — and fill the tartan piece with it.
- Add the tartan pattern in the app; it lays the crossing lines over your base.
- Keep everything else solid. A black top, black boots, one metal. Tartan next to another print fights.
- Echo one line color in a small accessory — a yellow bag with a yellow-line tartan — to tie it together.
Royal Stewart
- Tropical Red
- Navy
- Olive
- Lemon
Red base, navy and green lines.
Black Watch
- Navy
- Olive
- Ink
- Lemon
Navy and green with a thin yellow line.
Gold tartan
- Gold
- Ink
- Ivory
- Burgundy
Mustard and black for evening.
Color The Tartan Edit in the app
Frequently asked
What is the difference between tartan and plaid?
Tartan is a specific woven pattern of crossing stripes in set widths and colors, repeated in both directions and often tied to a Scottish clan or place. Plaid is the broader term for any crisscross check, so every tartan is a plaid but not every plaid is a tartan.
How do you style a tartan skirt?
Pair it with solid pieces in one of the tartan’s own colors — a black knit, a navy sweater or a white shirt — and add tall boots or loafers. Avoid a second print.
What colors go with red tartan?
Black, navy, forest green, white and cream all work, because they are already in most red tartans. Gold jewellery and a black leather bag finish the look.
Are there tartan coloring pages?
Yes. The Tartan Edit in the Color the Look app has ten tartan outfit coloring pages for iPhone and iPad, and the app’s tartan, plaid, gingham and buffalo check patterns fill any outfit in one tap.
