Enjoy a highland fling with tartan

Published on Thursday 31 August 2006 12:04

IT was Vivienne Westwood who first transported tartan from the depths of the rural Highlands and made it commercially fashionable back in the 90s with her iconic mini kilt and tartan corsets. Few designers have followed in such spectacular form.

But this autumn it's all set to change as tartan makes a bold statement on the fashion front, from nods towards romantic Highland to modern street style, with every designer, from Bottega Veneta to Alexander McQueen, celebrating this iconic piece of Scottish heritage.

Even the uber sleek Moschino paid homage to all that is Celtic, with Scottie dogs on the invites to the autumn winter 2006/07 catwalk show, pre-show drinks poured from kilted bottles and a whole clan of male models dressed in, yes, tartan. The fashion also highlighted its new-found passion for all things Scottish, with strapless tartan dresses with rows of kilt buckles, tartan skirts worn with neat little knitted cardigans and statement tartan capes.

However, nobody does it better than Westwood herself and, when her collection came to the Capital back in April for the inaugural Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, her show was brimming with all that was tartan.

From minis and lace kilts on men through to dramatic Grecian one-shouldered tartan dresses, rouched tartan floor-length skirts with bustles and fishtails and a stunning wraparound black and white tartan cocktail dress.

And now the tartan fashion army has hit the high street.

"It is a popular trend for this winter," says Edinburgh fashion stylist Laura Wilton, "but I would advise people not to follow the catwalk trends literally - dilute it. So, don't go head-to-toe in tartan. And only the confident can get away with it on their top half.

"Instead, what you'll find on the high street is an abundance of cute, sassy mini kilts which will look great with a plain, understated fine knit, opaque tights and flat pumps. For the more sophisticated look, try the range of pencil skirts or subtle tartan wide legged trousers, again teamed with a fine knit. Or do as I will do, and funk up your winter wardrobe with a tartan coat that works with everything that is 'in' this season."

Black and red tartan is big in George at Asda, with short shift dresses, kilted minis, pinafore dresses and wool peplum jackets. If going bold isn't your thing then try the subtle approach with the colourful check fashions seen in swing jackets or full length coats. Also check out Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Warehouse for mini kilts, shift dresses and tartan coats.

Dorothy Perkins has also put plaid on parade with red tartan mini kilts with a naughty under-layer of lace and even bold red and yellow tartan tights. Houndstooth swing coats, pencil skirts and cropped jackets are available also. Alternatively, try Wallis, Next and Principles for subtle tartan fashions.

And for glamorous tartan to rival the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Moschino head to the Jesire concession in John Lewis, where you'll find statement formal suiting, chic coats and sleek pencil skirts.

But if you prefer to keep your wardrobe classic and simple, do as Laura suggests and funk it up with a tartan coat from Topshop or Designers at Debenhams. Or simply accessorise with an outsized tartan scarf from Topshop, Jenners or John Lewis. And if you need any more persuading to have a Highland fling this autumn, listen to Harriet Quick, fashion expert at Vogue: "The British sartorial influence - Arran knits, sharp tailoring, tweeds - is very big internationally right now."