How to Wear Women's Tartan Trousers

Personally, I am rather a big fan of a pair of Plaid Pants, they are so easy to dress up or dress down, no matter the event you're attending, which is why today I am going to be taking a closer look at one of our more unique women's tailored garments. We girls haven't always been able to wear trousers, so I will be exploring when they first entered the fashion scene, and of course providing you with my top tips on the best ways to style them!

Did you know that during the 18th and 19th centuries women could actually face jail time for wearing pants? It seems hard to believe given how women dress in the 21st Century! Women would dress in pants to impersonate men, so they could join the army and many were even successful in their endeavours (the men were not best pleased when they found out). It wasn't until the turn of the 20th Century that trousers became semi-acceptable garments for women to wear. This movement was started by Coco Chanel who incorporated aspects of men's tailoring into her designs. 

Women in 1918 working during WWI - Public Domain

However, they really lost their shock value after both world wars, as women had spent the past few decades wearing pants to carry out the men's jobs while they were at war. Fast forward to the present day and more often than not, you will see a woman wearing some form of pants, whether that be jeans, leggings or culottes, choosing them over a skirt. Cue the tartan pants...

Plaid Pants or Trews date all the way back to 1538 and were first worn as a way to protect against the cold throughout the winter months, however they were primarily worn by men. Historically worn to celebrate and recognise Highland culture and tradition, as years have gone on plaid pants have been adopted as a fashionable garment worn by people not only all over Scotland, but all over the world. However, it wasn't until 1970 that plaid pants finally become an acceptable garment for women to wear! 
 

Although tartan can be seen appearing in fashion throughout the decades, it wasn't until the 1970s that it really hit the mainstream and was picked up by major fashion houses and world renowned designers, and strutted on international catwalks. Not only was this the first time tartan can be seen in women's trends, but it is also the first time we can see the pattern being used to make women's plaid pants. Some of 70s pant styles have come right back around and can be seen in today's fashion trends!

This might be one of the biggest decisions you make when choosing your plaid pants. There are so many routes you can go down, either stick with the traditional and select your family tartan (if you don't know it, we can help you with your search with our Ancestry, Clan and Tartan Experience). Alternatively, you could choose a tartan that has a pattern and colours you are drawn to and co-ordinate well with your wardrobe.

If you like to make a statement with your clothing then the bold and bright colours of the Culloden Ancient might be up your street, or if you like to take a more subtle approach to dressing then the cool brown and blue hues of the MacKay Weathered are maybe more your style. We have over 500 tartans so the tartan trouser world really is your oyster!

If you are looking to mix up your workwear, then we have two styling options for you to incorporate your new tartan trousers into your office wardrobe. Plaid pants paired with a blazer in either a matching tartan to create a suit or a harmonizing colour creates the ultimate workwear look. Or, lose the blazer and opt for a smart white shirt instead and let the trousers do the talking. When wearing your trousers to the office we would suggest choosing one of the more classic tartans such as Black Watch or Thompson Camel, so they are easy to co-ordinate with your existing workwear wardrobe.

So you want to wear your tartan trousers for a picnic in the park or even a day of shopping? Then you will be looking for a casual, yet sleek, way to style your pants and there is nothing more casual than a basic plain t-shirt. This is one of our favourite ways to dress down your pants as it is so understated but put together at the same time! However, if the good old Scottish weather isn't on your side, a Cable Knit Sweater or even a cardigan looks equally stylish. We recommend sporting a pair of trainers, brogues or chunky boots to really secure the casual look.

Finally, the all important styling of the plaid pants for evening wear! After investing in such a beautiful and high quality garment, you want to make sure you are able to wear it for all occasions, and evening wear is definitely no exception. If you want to take your pants into the evening for a night on the town, we think a nice camisole or blouse is all you need. Stick with neutral colours, such as black or white, to keep it really sophisticated. Add a few pieces of jewellery for a touch of glamour and a pair of high heels to really elongate your legs (bonus styling points if you choose a tartan pair!). Lastly, throw on a leather jacket to create the perfect dinner date outfit. The beauty with the leather jacket is that it is guaranteed to go with any tartan, since it is such a classic item.

There you have it, a full round up on our ever-popular Women's plaid pants! We would love to see pictures of how you style your pants, whether you follow one of our suggestions or style it with your own personal flair. Tag us on Instagram, message us on Facebook or email us. And if you need any help with measuring or selecting your tartan then book one of our Virtual or In Store Appointments and one of our experienced members of staff can answer any of your queries.