What Is Plaid? {Fabric Patterns, How It Looks, Types}

Learning what is plaid fabric and how it differs from check and tartan will make you a better dressmaker, tailor, interior designer, or certified fashionista. Whatever your reason for learning these different patterns, correctly identifying them is a piece of knowledge worth gaining. That is especially true since the plaid pattern has a long history and has been one of the most popular patterns for a long time.

What Is Plaid Fabric?

Plaid is a type of fabric with a checked pattern. The plaid pattern generally features color bands or stripes that intersect each other, forming a particular shape. You can find plaid patterns that are either part of the fabric weave or printed on the fabric.

The most commonly used fabrics with plaid patterns can either be types of cotton, wool, or a combination of both. On the other hand, flannels with plaids are usually used for making cozy and casual shirts for men and skirts for females. Lastly, thicker fabrics with woolen yarn are usually used for plaid kilts and jackets.

Plaid vs. Check vs. Tartan

Having a square shape and stacked appearance, people often confuse the terms plaids, checks, and tartans. They only have minor differences, so you must have a keen eye for detail to identify them.

Checks or checkered patterns are simpler than plaids and usually appear like tiles or miniature boxes. In comparison, regular or modern-day plaid patterns typically consist of vertical and horizontal stripes that don’t usually have the same colors. The squares don’t always have to be symmetrical, as they may vary in the bands’ widths.

On the other hand, you can consider tartan as a sub-category of plaids and have perfectly symmetrical stripes. It is regarded as the original type and originated from Scotland. It’s actually a traditional Scottish outfit worn by males. Each of these outfits looks different; others even have emblems. In North America, the terms plaid and tartan tend to be used interchangeably.

The Different Types of Plaid Fabric

Now that we’ve already determined the difference between what is plaid, check, and tartan, let’s talk about the various types of modern-day and tartan plaids. Unlike the checkered pattern, there are only a few types of plaids, even if there are two primary sub-categories.

1. Modern Plaid
2. Tartan Plaid Patterns

Modern Types of Plaid Patterns

There are four kinds of modern-day plaid, which are similar to some check patterns. The most famous ones are:

1. Gingham
2. Houndstooth
3. Madras
4. Tattersall
5. Buffalo

1. Gingham

The gingham plaid pattern dates back to the mid-18th century and originated in England, specifically Manchester. It has thick and large lines that create small, transparent squares. Thus, when you wear fabrics with gingham plaids, you portray a casual and fun personality.

2. Houndstooth

Believed to have originated in Scotland, the houndstooth plaid pattern dates back to 300 B.C. It’s one of the most popular plaid types and is the easiest to identify since it’s one-of-a-kind. Each square has layers of sharp edges patterns consisting of a shape that looks like a dog tooth.

3. Madras Plaid Patterns

Originated in the 1800s and named after the old name of the City of Chennai, India, Madras is a regular plaid made of off-kilter, quirky, asymmetrical patterns. It is very colorful and bright, thanks to its colors, such as orange, white, and yellow, representing its origin. The pattern is also commonly found on lightweight, airy cotton fabrics, perfect for summer clothes and blankets.

4. Tattersall

This type of modern-day plaid dates back to the 1700s and got its name from Tattersall’s horse markets in London. It was popularly used in the blankets used on horses, but today, it’s more famous in casual garments. It’s one of the most common plaid patterns you can find, particularly on cotton and flannel shirts.

5. Buffalo Plaid

Buffalo plaid is a type of plaid pattern typically consisting of large blocks of two alternating colors, often red and black. This buffalo check pattern is characterized by its bold, simple stripes that create squares on the fabric. Thanks to its striking and easily recognizable design, it’s a popular choice for winter clothing and outdoor gear.

The Tartan Plaid Types

Also known as Scottish or traditional plaid, tartan is perfect for a classic look and style. Different Scottish clans use different combinations of colors and stripes. Of course most of you would have seen a Scottish kilt with a tartan plaid. The main six different kinds of tartan plaid are:

6. Black Watch
7. Clan Wallace
8. Lindsay
9. Royal Stewart
10. Balmoral
11. Scotland Forever

6. Black Watch Tartan Plaid

Also known as Campbell and one of the most popular types of tartan plaid, you can easily identify the black watch from the other variations. It comes in navy blue, hunter green, and black tones that exude the Scottish Army vibe. It has a dark, moody look and subtle depth that make it perfect for womenswear, menswear, and fabric-made items for your home or office interior.

7. Clan Wallace Tartan Plaid

In terms of what is plaid with a great history, the Wallace is one of the types that will come to mind. Wallace is a Scottish term that originated from “waleis”, an Ancient French word. This pattern has small squares and is common in 3M brands. You’ll find several variations, but there are five common ones, namely:

• Wallace Red Modern: This Wallace tartan plaid dates back to 1842 and has vibrant scarlet red, yellow, and black combinations of colors. Although the ancient version has more of an orange tone than red.
• Wallace Green or Hunting: The Wallace hunting sub-category of the tartan plaid has muted colorways, as it’s commonly worn in the past for hunting adventures. The modern variety has yellow stripes with bottle green and navy blue squares, while the ancient one is mossy green.
• MacFarlane White and Black: The MacFarlane is the dress variation of the Wallace tartan plaid and has been around since 1842. Although the older version comes in red. When used in clothes and accessories, this type of Wallace tartan plaid is perfect for special and formal evening events or occasions.
• Wallace Blue Dress: As another dress variation of the Wallace tartan, this is also perfect for special occasions and formal evening wear, thanks to its bright or light tone. Aptly named, it has a blue color mixed with white and is popularly worn by highland dancers.
• Wallace Memorial Centenary: Although not recognized by the Wallace Clan, Christine MacLeod, born in the same village as William Wallace, designed this plaid. Thus, it’s also known as MacLeod of Lewis, loud MacLeod, or MacLeod dress tartan. It is one of the boldest patterns that will make you stand out in the crowd when you wear clothes with this design.

8. Lindsay Tartan Plaid

When it comes to what is plaid, one of the easiest to recognize is the Lindsay tartan pattern which has a flexible and sophisticated style. It was first seen in 1120 and is a famous pattern for many types of skirts, uniforms, and jackets. It is also used for home interior fabrics. This tartan plaid has maroon and deep green colors.

9. Royal Stewart Tartan Plaid

You can also easily recognize this type of tartan plaid because of the contrast between the red base color and blue, white, green, and bright yellow stripes. It was initially designed for the British and Scottish monarchies; hence, the word Royal in its name.

Like the clan Wallace tartan plaid, the Royal Stewart also has a variation: the Dress Stewart tartan plaid. It’s a popular pattern for school uniforms, but you can find clothes meant for classy, dress-up events and traditional and fashion-forward interior fabric-made items.

10. Balmoral Tartan

Since commoners were soon able to wear the Royal Stewart to express their loyalty to the Royal clan, the Balmoral tartan plaid was born in 1853. Historians say that Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, designed it. Only them and the queen’s piper could wear it for a long time.

Nowadays, you can find multiple items with this pattern. You can easily recognize it because of its gray, red, and black colors and background with twisted white and black yarns, giving it a rough granite texture.

11. Scotland Forever Tartan

Aptly named, this type of tartan plaid screams Scotland. Its white and blue colors indicate one of Scotland’s flags, while the purple and green colors represent Scotland’s glens and hills or mountains.

This is more modern and produced in the country’s weaving mills than the other tartan plaids. It is also more universal since, even in the past, anyone, whether they have Scottish blood or none, can wear it anytime and anywhere. There is also an older or antique variety with muted gray shades instead of navy blue.

What is Plaid Fabric Used For?

Plaid fabric is used for various items, including clothing and home decor and upholstery.

• Plaid patterns are also common in bedding, including sheets and comforters.
• School uniforms tend to feature plaid heavily, particularly for skirts and jumpers.
• Plaid shirts are particularly popular, with flannel often used for its warmth and comfort.

What is Plaid FAQs

What is plaid color?

Plaid patterns can feature a wide range of colors, and there isn’t a specific set of “plaid colors.” The choice of colors in a plaid pattern depends on various factors, such as the intended use of the fabric, fashion trends, and whether is a modern or traditional plaid.

In Conclusion

Many fabrics exist, and some of them have patterns, including checks and plaids, that can add color and style to your home or office interior and attire. Plaids and checks are often confused because they both have square patterns. However, plaid patterns appear more complex than checkered ones.

Plaid also has two categories: regular or modern-day and tartan or traditional plaids. You can differentiate them through their line symmetries and colors. These two main kinds of plaids are further divided into several sub-types.

The traditional or tartan types were usually first worn by certain clans or royal families, while modern-day plaids got their names from their place of origin or how they were initially used. All plaids have a long history, making them one of the most exquisite patterns.

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• Checkered Patterns
• Fabric Weaves
• What is Gingham?