Tartan or plaid?

[TheOfficialBren]

I know that tartan and plaid can both be nouns describing a garment. That is not related in any way to the following question so please don't stray there.

Here is my question:

What defines "tartan" as a pattern and what defines "plaid" as a pattern? Similarities? Differences?

Thank you.

[McElmurry]

Tartans are defined by the order and ratios of their thread counts. I try not to use the term plaid to describe a pattern of material. Although, if someone not in the know says they like my plaid I generally do not correct them.

[David Thorpe]

All tartans are plaids (with a short "a"), but not all plaids are tartans.
To further complicate matters, some here (and elsewhere) will, upon seeing the word "plaid", assume that you mean "plaid" with a long "a", a term which means blanket and/or a usually rectangular length of tartan worn above the waist in various forms.

[TheOfficialBren]

David, much appreciated but, as stated above I am fully aware of that and specifically stated that so that the thread would not veer that direction.

[David Thorpe]

David, much appreciated but, as stated above I am fully aware of that and specifically stated that so that the thread would not veer that direction.

OK. You can disregard all but the first statement then.
Don't look for a cut-and-dried differentiation though. The two main differences between a tartan and non-tartan plaid are that a tartan usually has an identical weft and warp, and is usually symmetrical, but there are exceptions. For example, many Welsh tartans (which some do not consider to be tartans) have warps and wefts which differ considerably. Then there are the asymmetrical tartans...

[McElmurry]

In the context of your question both tartans and plaids are patterns consisting of a repeated series of straight lines intersecting at right angles overlying a solid background.

Other than the fact tartans are registered I don't see a difference which is why I generally avoid using the term plaid to describe a pattern.

[kiltedrennie]

Great question.

[MacGumerait]

I know that tartan and plaid can both be nouns describing a garment. That is not related in any way to the following question so please don't stray there.

Here is my question:

What defines "tartan" as a pattern and what defines "plaid" as a pattern? Similarities? Differences?

Thank you.

OB , I understand your question , although your question is a bit odd . I mean no offense , but let's discuss a few things .

Tartan is an adjective and plaid is a noun , in the true definition . I understand that you understand what a plaid is , as an actual garment .

Tartan is a pattern , plaid is not a pattern . Modern terms use the word " plaid " as opposed to " tartan " to describe the pattern .

So to answer your question , tartan can be defined as a pattern .... but plaid can't be defined as a pattern .

You are asking for the differences between tartan patterns and plaid patterns as a fabric , but they are two completly different items . There is really no such thing as a plaid fabric pattern , it's just a word mis-used to represent tartan .

Therefore , your question can only be answered as follows . Plaid is not a pattern , thus there is no way to correctly compare the word to tartan . All in all , there is technically no such thing as a plaid pattern .

Hope this helps . Cheers , Mike

[unixken]

Something to help put OB's use of the word plaid in context, is this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=plai...w=2000&bih=953

In U.S. vernacular, these are "plaid" shirts, and I believe OB's question is "What differentiates these types of patterns... many of which are (and many of which aren't) identical in warp and weft... from "tartans?"

OB, am I correct in seeing what you are trying to get at?

[McElmurry]

I reviewed the Oxford Dictionary online in both British and US English.

British English-Tartan
a woollen cloth woven in one of several patterns of coloured checks and intersecting lines, especially of a design associated with a particular Scottish clan

US English-Tartan
a woolen cloth woven in one of several patterns of plaid, especially of a design associated with a particular Scottish clan

Comparing the two definitions we see the word plaid in US English is equivalent to coloured checks and intersecting lines in British English.

The US and British English definitions of plaid are the same.
checkered or tartan twilled cloth, typically made of wool.
a long piece of plaid worn over the shoulder as part of Scottish Highland dress.