Fall-winter 2017 fashion: Plaids are everywhere

The predominant Fall-Winter 2017 trend is a contemporary, practical take on Scottish history

December 05, 2017 04:24 pm | Updated December 06, 2017 11:40 am IST

 Aditi Bhoopal Pradipak sports a Scottish plaid stole

Aditi Bhoopal Pradipak sports a Scottish plaid stole

The Scots traditionally used heavy cloaks in ‘tartan’ or plaid-like patterns woven in wool to ward off winter chill. Plaid is now interchangeably used for tartan, which denotes chequered patterns in specific colours. Tartans were identified with certain clans and communities in Scotland and Scottish military uniforms in the 18th century incorporated tartans or plaids. It was much later, in the 19th century, that plaids became a fashion statement in the West.

Look around and you’re likely to come across chequered-patterned shirts, trousers, skirts and accessories, and one might associate the word ‘plaid’ to the check than with the composite whole of a weave and pattern. If one were to look at the trend merely through the pattern of checks — gingham, Madras and Chettinad checks also gain prominence in the Indian context.

 A casual look in jeans and plaid shirt

A casual look in jeans and plaid shirt

Early this year, global design houses showcased plaids as part of their Fall-Winter 2017 creations, the effect of which has spilled over to retail stores across the globe. Raf Simon’s plastic and plaid coat, a red and green plaid coat designed by Victoria Beckham, plaid duster coats and skirt suits by Michael Kors, bags by Tory Burch, formal plaid trousers by Alexander Wang all caught attention on international runways. Burberry came out with an entire collection — laminated tartan wool trench coats, tartan wool cashmere ponchos, shirts, scarves, caps, clutches and even rucksacks.

Several brands adapted the tartans/plaids to suit the Indian context with wool and cotton blended collections. The red, black and green plaids are making their presence felt as shirts, stoles and the cotton-blend black and white ginghams as tunics, overlays, skirts and trousers.

“In the northern part of India where winter is intense, it makes sense to have shirts, jackets, skirts and dresses the way plaids are meant to be — in wool or twill. In the south, being practical, we could opt for plaid accessories such as stoles, shrugs and jackets to layer up in the evenings,” says designer Aditi Bhoopal Pradipak.

 A plaid clutch designed by Hyderabad-based label ‘Dragobfly by Megan’

A plaid clutch designed by Hyderabad-based label ‘Dragobfly by Megan’

Stylists of Bollywood actors have been playing up the plaid style statements and Instagram has several images of leading actors in dresses, casual shirts and jackets.

“Plaids have a definite vintage vibe about them. Black, white and red are the most popular colours but now we find them in shades ranging from blue to fluorescent yellow,” observes designer Ishita Singh. She suggests short plaid dresses teamed up with boots or sneakers.

Dresses in plain, solid colours can be teamed up with Scottish plaid stoles draped like a jacket and Obi belt. If you are thinking twice on spending on woollen plaids that may not be used after January, look out for an Indian take on plaids: “Chequered malkha fabric can be used to make kurtas for men and women. Use the Madras check patterned fabric for sari blouses. You can also try box-pleated gingham skirts, high-waist trousers, culottes or paper-bag trousers. Since gingham has the smaller check pattern and uses cotton-based fabric, it will hold good for most part of the year,” says Aditi.

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