Elevate Your Style with 22 Iconic Tartan Plaid Pieces

There are certain style elements that become classics, and tartan plaid is definitely one of them. With a noble legacy that can be traced back to the 14th century Scottish highlands, this familiar pattern is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. From Burberry scarves to Celine kilts, tartan has been reinvented in a variety of clothing, home textiles, and more. Bring a touch of this timeless motif into your lifestyle, with our selection of 22 sophisticated tartan pieces. 

Most Classic Tartan Patterns

Tartan —  a traditional Scottish pattern of crossing vertical and horizontal lines in varying colours and widths — is known for its infinite versatility. It is said that there are over 7000 unique patterns or “setts” exist, each denoting a clan, a family group, or a place. There is even a tartan registry board recording exactly how many threads each colour crosses. Discover our selection of classic tartan patterns spanning a variety of styles, from formal to edgy. 

Bomber jacket in intarsia wool

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A bomber jacket gets cozied up for winter with intarsia knit wool and cashmere, featuring Burberry’s signature check in warm browns. The leather zip pull and chunky rib trim lend a rugged edge.

Shop Burberry $1650 CAD

Soft shoulder tweed blazer

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Crafted from merino wool and cashmere, and spun on family-owned Elgin Mills, this tweed blazer presents a feminine version of the brand’s men’s Soft Shoulder Jacket with a soft construction and tailored silhouette.

Shop Johnston of Elgin $1395

Tailored coat in virgin wool

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A nipped-in shape and slightly flared hemline bring a vintage ladylike sensibility to this knee-length coat in virgin wool from Ballantyne, whose legacy in Scottish tartan dates back to the 19th century.

Shop Ballantyne $1211

Pleated tweed midi skirt

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Crafted by expert skirt-makers at the Kinloch factory in Edinburgh, this pleated calf-length skirt comes in a tartan or tweed of choice, detailed with two leather buckles and hand fringed edge.

Shop Kinloch Anderson £310

Kilted above-the-knee skirt

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Perfectly preppy, this beige kilted skirt features the traditional DAKS House Check inspired by heritage designs. Buckle straps and above-the-knee length lend a modern spin to be paired with a crisp button-down for work, or a leather jacket for the weekend.

Shop Daks £345

Dropped shoulder coat with tartan lapel

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A colourful tartan lapel and lining pop unexpectedly on this cream felted wool coat, featuring an oversized silhouette, dropped shoulder, and double-breasted front.

Shop Harris Wharf London $370

Pleated Men’s Kilt

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Menswear kilts aren’t limited to bagpipe players and Highland dancers! Celine brings this long-standing fashion to the modern man with a classic tartan kilt finished with black leather buckles. Wear it over a pair of jeans for an edgy twist on tradition.

Shop Celine

Cashmere tartan scarf

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Designed in collaboration with the last remaining artisanal mill in the Highlands, this cashmere scarf features a deep midnight blue and burgundy tartan, inspired by the clan behind John Smedley’s legacy.

Shop John Smedley $516

Elegant Glen Check

Glen check or Glenurquhart Check, also known as Prince of Wales check, originally began as a variation of classic tartan plaid and later became popular in its own right. The name refers to an irregular black and grey pattern featuring four dark and light intersecting stripes. The famous pattern was created by the Prince of Wales Edward VII, who had a reputation for being one of his era’s most finely dressed individuals.  Compared to bolder, more vibrantly coloured traditional Scottish tartans, glen check has a restrained quality, lending itself to classic and understated style. 

Glen plaid wool blend coat

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This clean-lined cashmere and wool blend coat features a glen plaid in warm brown and cream tones with a single-breasted button closure. The versatile length works with trousers, skirts, or sweater dresses and boots.

Shop Paul Stuart $1187

Glen plaid blazer in Italian wool

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In Ralph Lauren’s signature style, just a hint of red and marigold peek through the tan glen plaid in this Italian wool blazer, finished with peak lapels and buttoned cuffs.

Shop Ralph Lauren $349.99

Cape style wool jacket

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Featuring a Prince of Wales pattern in tan and brown check, this double-breasted wool jacket has a sweeping cape design and vented back for dramatic flair. Pair with slim-fitting bottoms to balance the voluminous style.

Shop Monse $1443

Merino wool and cashmere scarf

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A striking Black Watch tartan, showing blues, yellows, and whites on a black background, is reclaimed in this extra-long fringed scarf that takes its cue from the traditional patterns of Mackintosh’s Scottish home.

Shop Mackingtosh $335

Wool blazer with Prince of Wales motif

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Crafted in Perugia, Italy, this virgin wool blazer has a tailored shape, front pockets, and a taupe Prince of Wales pattern. Contrast the conservative design with feminine details such as a ruffled blouse or a leather skirt.

Shop IBLA $626

Cashmere scarf in Prince of Wales pattern

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Woven in Northern England at historic mills that date back over 250 years, this sumptuous fringed scarf is made from fine cashmere fibres, showing a subtle Prince of Wales pattern on dark grey.

Shop Rampley & Co. $228

Wool jacket with trompe l’oeil detail

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Sculptural trompe l’oeil detail along the front gives unique character to this Prince of Wales print wool jacket. Dropped shoulders and horn button fastenings complete the piece.

Shop Alexander McQueen $2149

Men’s glen plaid wool blazer

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Brown and orange glen plaid warm up this classically cut men’s wool blazer from Engineered Garments, which specializes in a refined, creative take on workwear and sportswear.

Shop Needle $403.2

Unique Takes on the Plaid

Today’s designers take their creative lens to reinvent the traditional tartan plaid in unexpected materials and styles. Vibrant plaids and checks pop up in clothing, accessories, and even home objects. Enjoy our selection of unique approaches to this time-honoured heritage.

Gore-Tex rain hat with tartan lining

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A tartan lining and straps peek out playfully from under the brim of this slouchy bucket hat from London’s famous hatmaker, outfitted in waterproof Gore-Tex for rainy-day play.

Shop Lock & Co $196

Vintage wool throw blanket

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Woven in a traditional Foxford check in a vintage yarn, this olive and gold throw blanket captures a piece of Irish history: it is a reproduction of the specially commissioned blanket presented in 1922 to General Michael Collins, one of Ireland’s greatest political icons.

Shop Michael Collins $184.95

Tartan wool and leather gloves

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These striking gloves go from accessory to outfit spotlight with their dual-textured combo: a fine tartan wool back meeting smooth hairsheep leather at the palm. Fine Scottish cashmere lines the inside for extra warmth.

Shop Dents $160.8

Tartan stick umbrella

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Keep dry with this sophisticated stick umbrella, showing a Gordon Dress tartan canopy and a traditional Whangee handle. A logo-engraved plaque, stamped logo and gold-tone cap add distinguished touches.

Shop Mackingtosh $172

Tartan travel mug and earmuffs gift set

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Cozy and stylish aren’t mutually exclusive in this toasty gift set, an eco-friendly bamboo and corn travel mug dressed up in navy Barbour plaid, and a pair of soft faux fur earmuffs to keep warm on the go.

Shop Barbour $50

Tweed tote with canvas straps

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Wide cream canvas straps lend a casual vibe to this roomy tweed tote in a forest green and black plaid, topped with leather handles; perfect for work or errand running.

Shop Rue de Verneuil €250