A Lesson in Plaid

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetI’ve acquired quite a collection of plaid/tartan skirts at this point, but I think this one is my first “new” plaid skirt. I guess it’s pretty obvious at this point that I only buy vintage and thrifted clothes as a general rule, but every once in awhile I stumble across some vintage-inspired pieces on the internet and cannot pass them up – this vibrant plaid skirt being one of them. One could argue that you don’t need 5 different tartan/plaid skirts that reach about the same length, but if you know what you like and what suits your taste (and there are just so many different colour variations and styles!!!), then why not own an assortment? (says the clothing hoarder). What about you guys? Is there an article or style of clothing you are constantly drawn to?

A fun little fact – to tell the difference between a tartan and a plaid (yes, there is a difference) you look to the pattern running vertically and horizontally. If the pattern running vertically is exactly duplicated on the horizontal axis, then we are in tartan territory. You will notice that the skirt I am wearing is indeed a plaid and not a tartan, as the pattern, colour and size are not the same in both directions. Anyways, I’m sure some of you already knew this, but I didn’t for the longest time and thought it would be nice to share the knowledge. Knowledge is power. (said a curly, ginger-haired animation from the 1970s)

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 preset

Processed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with n3 presetButton-down & cardigan: thrifted
Skirt c/o Larmoni
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Tights: old pair of ballet tights

18 thoughts on “A Lesson in Plaid”

  7. Lucy in the Sky says:
    Reply

    Your outfit is just lovely and the skirt is so vibrant! I am completely with you on that. You can never have enough plaid or tartan skirts in your wardrobe. I continue to buy and stack them up in a pile in my closet and hope to have them in almost every colour of the rainbow to mix and match with outfits.

    Like

    • Larkspur Vintage says:
      Reply

      You are right that certain tartans were claimed by a clan, but as I understand it, their kilts were always tartan, in that the pattern was duplicated both horizontally and vertically, unlike a traditional plaid. Although, in North America, tartan and plaid have essentially become synonyms now. I liked this quote when I was reading up on this “All tartans are plaid, but, not all plaids are tartan”

      Like

  9. Bronwyn says:
    Reply

    i always thought Plaid was just the american word for tartan, its very interesting to learn that there is a difference. i love your outfit and your photos – do you use a high iso to get that effect?

    Like

    • Larkspur Vintage says:
      Reply

      yep! I had no idea for the longest time as well! and yes, I do often use a high ISO. I play around with it a bit, but these particular photos were set to a high ISO. Can tend to get a bit grainy, but sometimes I like the effect.

      Like

  10. Pingback: 2015 Outfits: January – June |

Leave a comment