[Noel Christian Riddell]

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]

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]

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]

Very interesting.

[St. Amish]

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

[tulloch]

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.

[fluter]

Originally Posted by St. Amish

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

MacGregor red and black, according to the chief. Apparently his forebears did not always get on with Rob Roy. He puts the name down to marketing.