Tartan Vs Plaid: What Is the Difference

Plaid and tartan are both used in the same meaning in the USA but in other countries, there is a difference between these two fabrics. However, both are horizontal and vertical cross patterns at 90-degree angles. These patterns, cross each other and formed a color which is called tartan and plaid. This is the simple definition of tartan plaid, but there are some differences between the two colors. The color that has history is called tartan and the color that doesn’t have a history behind is called plaid.

In Scotland,  both colors are made in wool, but tartan has a Scottish history, but plaid is a fabric that has only a criss-cross pattern. There is no history of the plaid because the plaid is only a fabric that is not designed for the specific Scottish or Irish family. It is the fabric same as cotton fabric. We can say in simple words, the plaid is the universal fabric that is designed for everyone, but a tartan is restricted to a certain Scottish family. In order to better understand Tartan Vs Plaid: What Is the Difference, you must have knowledge of these two specific terms. In this article, we are going to discuss both fabrics in detail.

What is Plaid Fabric?

In America, the plaid means the woven design which has two or more two different colors crossing each other and forming a criss-cross pattern. The word plaid means criss-cross patterns on any fabric. It means there is no restriction on wool. If the criss-cross pattern is found in the cotton fabric then it is also treated as a plaid. So, we can say that the plaid is not always made in a piece of wool fabric.

The criss-cross patterns never come to the family or a specific history, it is just a design that you can see in many beautiful embroidery dresses. These designs mostly come with blankets, bedsheets, shawls, cushions, and other household items. The plaid is also not only designed for the Scottish people. It is the universal acceptable fabric design that is commonly used in every country of the world. We can say that plaid is a broader term than tartan.

At weddings, parties, and other places many fashion lovers wears plaid pattern pants, skirts, trousers, and jackets. A plaid shirt is also casually worn in Europe, Middle East, and Asian countries. The plaid garments are commonly used in daily routine life. You don’t need to wait for a Scottish festival or any event in order to wear plaid garments.

Brief History Of Plaid

The history of the word plaid goes back to the dark ages. At that time the plaid meant blanket in the Scottish record. The people not only make blankets with this fabric but also gloves, cushions, shirts, and other things. There was a ban on wearing plaid garments in the mid of the 17th century but thankfully that ban lasted for only 40 years.

Style Of the ’90s

The plaid shirts were the fashion style of the 90s people. There was a trend of different beautiful criss-cross pattern colors shirts and pants. This fashion is also popular in this era. If you travel to the Middle East, Asia and European countries the people also wear plaid products at shopping malls and weddings. As you know that plaid is not itself a tartan but there are too many varieties and designs in plaids that leave the mark in the fashion world.

What is Tartan Fabric?

Tartan is a pure wool fabric. Unlike plaid, it is never manufactured in cotton and other fabrics. However, in America, plaid and tartan are used in the same meaning. Every criss-cross pattern is plaid or tartan in America. In Scotland, there is a difference between these two fabrics.

As we have discussed above, the plaid does not belong to the Scottish family or does not have any history but its boundaries have no ends. The tartan is the fabric that belongs to the Scottish family and has a history behind every tartan. The tartan is also not only belongs to the Scottish but there are also Irish tartans. Furthermore, the history of tartan goes back to the 16th century where the full woolen cloth was used to cover the body. The tartan is widely used in Europe, America, Australia, and Africa region.

Nowadays, there are more than 25000 tartan fabrics registered with the Scottish registrar. At Scottish weddings, the tartan kilts for sale or trews are the premium dress. Although the plaid has wider use, study shows the tartan has a huge impact in recent years. This will be the acceptable fabric in almost every country of the world.

Short History Of Tartan

The tartaine is a french word that has the meaning cloth. This fabric is the invention of the Scottish people in the 16th century. Many military men and Scottish regiments wear this fabric at their duties. At the beginning of the 18th century, tartan was generally wearable fabric by the general public.

Do All Families Have Tartan?

No, it is not. Many Scottish families do not have tartans. There are three broad categories of tartans which are district tartan, clan tartan, and universal tartan. The universal tartans are the tartans that do not belong to the specific Scottish family. These tartans do not have any restrictions. Many non-Scottish people wear these tartans in their regular routine life. Also we have comparison of Irish vs Scottish Kilts

Tartan Vs Plaid

There are few major differences between these two fabrics

• History

The Scottish tartans have a history but there is no specific history of the plaid fabric

• Scottish Family

The Scottish tartans belong to the Scottish family but there are some tartans who do not have a clan.

• Fabric

The tartan is the wool fabric while the plaid design is made in any fabric

• Usage

The tartan is only limited to the people who know the Scottish tradition but plaid has broad usage and there is no need to have a knowledge of Scottish tradition.