Scottish tartan: our outfit exclusively for you

It seemed to have slipped into the maze of our wardrobe. Instead, after many years, more specifically from the magnificent 90s, the Scottish fabric, tartan , is back in fashion.

Scottish tartan: the origins

The origins of the Scottish tartan (tartan term that derives from the French tiretain ) can be found far back in time. In fact, the first information on this fabric dates from the sixteenth century, but its history seems more ancient. In fact, it is said that this typical woolen fabric with geometric weaves  was conceived in the distant eighth century BC and the origin of the motif seems even more incredible: Xinjiang, China . Probably this fabric arrived in Scotland before Christ through some commercial exchange with China.

However, it is in Scotland that this motif has enjoyed great success and over time has become a national symbol: spread between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries among the inhabitants of the Highlands, the different colors of the motifs made it possible to distinguish the inhabitants by region, district and clan .

Martin Martin  in his ” A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland” , published in 1703, described that tartans could be used to distinguish the inhabitants of different regions. So each clan had a different tartan motif.

Although today the tartan has different colors and patterns, it was originally conceived as a solid color pattern.

After the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British government banned the use of tartan among the Jacobite Gaelic clans. In 1765, after the war, it was reintroduced into the uniforms of the Highland Regiments .

In 1815 the Highland Society of London asked the clans what their tartan was and thus the official link between a clan and its tartan was established.

Today about 4,000 motifs are registered, although on the market there are between 600 and 700.

Making the tartan

This design is obtained with threads of different colors that are repeated with a defined pattern, the same both in the warp and in the weft, called  sett . The weave of the loom for weaving tartan and twill and the blocks of color are repeated vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines which, intertwining, give the appearance of new colors.

Scottish kilt: Official symbol of Scotland

One of the garments made with Scottish tartan and kilt . Over the years this has become the symbol of Scotland and one of the typical clothes worn by the locals, especially on the occasion of important events such as a wedding, funeral or solemn public events. The kilt is worn mainly by men as a sign of belonging to the homeland.

The original kilt is usually accompanied by:

  • A sporran,  a handbag worn around the waist;
  • A pin, to join the two ends on the front;
  • Sgian dubh , a small dagger stuck in the sock.

Curiosity: originally the kilt was known as “feileadh mor” which from Gaelic translates as ” large kilt “.

Our outfits: Moschino Vintage

For our Scottish tartan outfit , we are pleased to host an old acquaintance in our magazine: Alessia Tresoldi , Italian model and fashion influencer known on Instagram as @ Alefe24 , who shows us how to combine this typical wool motif, back in fashion. ‘year.

Specifically, Alessia wears a Moschino Vintage suit , consisting of gillet and skirt with brooch, back in vogue this Autumn-Winter, thanks above all to a brand like Moschino, always attentive to the latest trends in fashion, which recalls the fabulous with style 90’s.

Here is the winter outfit worn by Alessia and which we advise you to emulate if you want to stay warm but at the same time without giving up on appearing in the latest fashion: