So I'm researching tartan vesus plaid...

**Noel Christian Riddell** · 27th January 10, 01:13 PM

The very first google response for 'tartan versus plaid' lead me HERE to our forum:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...420/index.html

Small world sometimes.

I was just thinking, as insomniacs are wont to do, about flannel shirts and how some of them have proper tartan pattern (some grand old MacGregors, etc.), whilst others have evolved from or are perfectly separate from Scottish tradition. Just wondered about the history, the overlap, and the connections.

**Smayniac** · 5th February 10, 10:54 AM

It occurs to me, appropos of another thread here, that dress tartans lend themselves nicely to flannel shirts. Somehow the white doesn't seem out of place above the waist. I think I had a dress Gordon flannel back in high school.

Bob

**KD Burke** · 5th February 10, 12:48 PM

I'm told that the origin of the famous Madras "plaids" is that the Indian weavers were struck by the colorful tartans worn by Scottish troops and sought to imitate them in local colors. Perhaps the historians can verify?

**Noel Christian Riddell** · 5th February 10, 01:11 PM

Very interesting.

**St. Amish** · 5th February 10, 01:12 PM

I love that the classic "plaid" that is seen on lumberjack flannels is actually a tartan, Rob Roy MacGregor.

**tulloch** · 5th February 10, 02:07 PM

And that the classic "plaid" often seen on suitcases, bathrobes, flannel shirts, pants, etc. is an accurate classic tartan like Black Watch or Royal Stewart or something very close to it. Makes life interesting. I think sometimes a close match versus a perfect match might be the difference between paying royalties or not. Nice to see good patterns out there whether they come from a weaver in 19th century Scotland or a designer in 21st century Portland Oregon.