By Carrie Sanderson October 09, 2021

Here at ScotlandShop we are passionate about creating high quality products made from the finest tartan fabric woven in Scotland. Although kilts are what you might initially think of when tartan clothing is mentioned, we actually create a multitude of different garments, including a range of tailored clothing for both men and women. Today I will be talking through 5 of our favourite tailored items and how to style each one. Read on to be inspired...

For the Gentlemen

Statement Suits

I couldn't possibly start with anything other than our Tartan Suits, the outfit you are guaranteed to make a statement in, however the tartan you choose will determine just how many heads you'll turn. To create a striking outfit we recommend the Edinburgh or Anderson Modern tartans, or for a more subtle style we love Black Watch or Lindsay Modern. However, we also love mixing and matching tartans, check out our Tartan Suit Style Guide for advice on how you can fully embrace the tartan suit. As well as having over 500 tartans to choose from, every detail of your suit is customisable to match your personal style, you can choose your garment linings, lapels, pockets and buttons to create a truly bespoke and unique item. Have fun with it, mix it up and find your clan connection!

Black Watch 3 Piece Suit Black Watch 3 Piece Tartan Suit

Now to pick the perfect accessories to style up your suit, and luckily today trends dictate that the rules surrounding suits have become much more flexible and you can really wear any accessory your heart desires. Our favourites: pick out the colour of a stripe with a tie, or bow tie for more formal occasions, add personality with a set of cufflinks or Tartan Brogues with a contrasting leather. If you prefer the casual style, swap out the brogues for some tartan trainers! However, accessories aside, what is paramount when styling a tartan suit is the fit. Fit is everything, and guarantees our beautiful fabric hangs perfectly and your best features are shown off to best effect. To make sure you get the measurements correct, book an appointment with one of our tailoring experts, either in our Edinburgh or Albany Store, virtually via Video-Call.

Sharp Trousers

If you don't feel like braving the full 3 piece tartan suit, why not nudge yourself into the tartan hype with a smart pair of trousers? These might just be one of the most versatile garments a man can have hanging in his wardrobe, with endless styling options available. Whether you combine your trousers with a matching tartan jacket for a formal look or tone it down by pairing with a blazer in a coordinating colour to your tartan. Or create the ultimate casual style by sporting your trousers with a graphic t-shirt and trainers (tartan of course!).

Tailored Trousers Moodboard Elliot Modern Tartan Trousers


Now for the accessories... There is nothing more fun than a set of tartan braces, old school meets the modern world whether you are wearing a tartan jacket or not, snap them on in replacement of a belt and you will have the full tartan ensemble!

Classic Waistcoats

Over the past few years waistcoats have slowly been making their way back into the mainstream fashion scene with thanks to Tommy Shelby and his gang of Peaky Blinders. However, at ScotlandShop we have always thought a waistcoat is a staple item every man should own. We have 7 different styles to choose from so you are bound to find one which you will love, if you need help choosing or even measuring be sure to book an in-store or virtual appointment to be talked through the options.

Waistcoat Selection L-R: Waistcoat with Straight Cut Bottom in Fraser Red Modern | Waistcoat in Fraser Hunting Modern | Double Breasted Waistcoat with Horseshoe Neck in Patriot Modern | Bias Cut Waistcoat in Flower of Scotland | Waistcoat with Horseshoe Neck in Fraser Red Ancient | Waistcoat with Lapels in Fraser Red Modern

The primary function of a waistcoat is to provide both a sense of depth and formality to an outfit. The best way to wear a waistcoat, therefore, is beneath the jacket of a suit. - Teo van den Broeke and Harvey James, GQ

Obviously, you can wear your waistcoat whichever way you desire, however there are a few pieces of key style advice we would recommend you follow. Our first nugget follows on from what Teo and Harvey say, a waistcoat is best when paired with a suit. As huge tartan advocates we obviously think it looks amazing as part of a full tartan suit, but for those of you who would only like to dabble in the tartan scene why not team your tartan waistcoat with a plain coloured suit, pick out a base shade or stripe from your chosen tartan. Secondly, make sure you wear your waistcoat with a smart shirt, you don't want to lessen the effect of your beautifully tailored garment by wearing it with a t-shirt!

Flower of Scotland Tartan Waistcoat Men's Wool Bias Cut Waistcoat in Flower of Scotland Tartan

Whichever waistcoat style advice you take away from this blog, remember one thing; never do up the bottom button. Why is this a rule you ask? Well there are few different reasons circulating, however the one believed to be correct is that King Edward VII was too fat to be able to do up the final button, so the rest of his court copied him to make him feel better about his body image. So if you want to dress like a King, leave that bottom button unfastened. Just one final and my favourite styling tip; have the bottom buttonhole stitched in a contrasting colour for an extra unique finishing touch.

Laid-Back Shirts

Did you know Tartan Shirts were one of the first tartan pieces of clothing to enter the mainstream fashion scene? They were first worn by lumberjacks at the beginning of the 20th Century and slowly trickled down to the high streets, becoming the popular garment we know them as today.

Mac Kenzie Dress Tartan Shirt Moodboard MacKenzie Dress Modern Tartan Shirt

Easy and comfortable to wear, and effortlessly simple to style. Wear your tartan shirt with your favourite blue jeans and some brown boots, maybe even tartan boots if you feel like coordinating, and you are good to go! This product is so versatile you can wear it year round, come rain or shine, just make sure you switch up your paired clothing and accessories depending on the season.

Casual Jackets

Fathers Bomber Anderson Modern Tartan Bomber Jacket

Our Tartan Bomber Jacket is the newest addition to our Men's Tailored Clothing Collection and by far one of our favourite jackets, due to its easy wearability and the beautiful quality, authentic wool fabric we use to make it. It just feels good when you pull it on. We introduced this to the collection as we know how good it feels to have a great jacket as a staple in your wardrobe, ready to shrug on and make a simple outfit look a little bit special. The Bomber, or Flight Jacket as it is also known in its illustrious history in the fashion world, is made using our heavyweight 16oz tartan fabric, so you can be sure it will keep its sharp shape and chic style for years to come, no matter how much you wear it. Our favourite tartan for this garment is Anderson Modern (as pictured above) however you can browse our selection of over 500 tartans and choose your preferred pattern. If you would like even more styling tips for this handsome jacket and to discover its origins, Monja spills all in her Style Guide.

For the Ladies

Stylish Jackets

Our 2 Button Tartan Jacket is a must have in any woman's wardrobe, as it can be styled an endless amount of ways. ScotlandShop founder, Anna, always has a tartan jacket hanging in her office ready for impromptu meetings or visitors. Pair with tailored trousers in a matching tartan (we can make these for you, too), comfortable heels and a plain blouse and you have an outfit fit for the office. For a slightly toned down look for an evening on the town, wear with plain coloured trousers, heels and a matching tartan bag. Or, some classic blue jeans and boots can create a put together outfit with minimum effort, for those of you who don't like to spend too much time outfit planning.

Mac Lean of Duart Womens Jacket1 2 Button Fastening Tartan Jacket MacLean of Duart Modern

Our Tartan Jackets are made from our lightweight pure wool tartan fabric, woven in Scotland, so you can trust the quality and are guaranteed a nice soft handle. If you are worried you will overheat while wearing this beautiful garment, Phoebe Gormley of Gormley & Gamble has a few words of wisdom on the subject of this sustainable and breathable material:

"There’s a common misconception that wool is a hot fabric, which is wrong. Shepherds in the Arabian Desert wear light-weight wool because it’s a cooling fabric."

Chic Waistcoats

As a garment traditionally designed for men, the waistcoat has slowly been trickling down into mainstream women's fashion over the fast few years, firmly cementing itself as a must have piece. This is another versatile item you should definitely add to your tartan collection.

MacDonald Trouser Suit Women's Tartan Waistcoat in MacDonald Lord of the Isles

Forget the notion that waistcoats can only be worn as part of a suit. Put a casual twist on the tailoring attire by pairing with classic blue jeans, leave the matching jacket out of the ensemble if you really want to keep things casual (but store close at hand in case you need to create a conservative look last minute). However, if you want a more formal look, follow our style advice above for tartan jackets by wearing your tartan waistcoat with a shirt and high waisted wide leg trousers picking out a key colour in your tartan. Of course, you can go traditional and show off your waistcoat with a pair of trousers in the matching tartan for a chic, streamlined look.

Patriot Weathered Womens Tartan Waistcoat Patriot Ancient Women's Tartan Waistcoat with Satin Lapels

Don't forget our waistcoat is another product you can completely customise - add satin lapels and buttons for a touch of luxury or inject some personality with lining and stitching in a contrasting colour.

Elegant Coats

After Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, wore a gorgeous Black Watch Peplum style coat on a Royal visit to Scotland, our customers went so crazy with requests we knew we had to create our own version, and 'The Kate Coat' was born. Although this coat is an investment, you can be sure it will last for years to come due to the exquisite craftsmanship carried out by our very talented seamstresses.

Kate Coat Moodboard The Kate Coat in lsle of Skye & Scotland Forever Tartan

Our favourite way to wear this gorgeous coat is with a Mini Kilt in a matching tartan and a cosy Lambswool Sweater, the perfect outfit for a winter's day. Add a cashmere scarf in a harmonising colour for extra warmth!

Capricious Capes

If you are searching for the perfect piece to switch up your outerwear for the winter season, look no further than our Tartan Cape. Capes are an amazing product as you have the option to layer as much or as little as you desire, so they can be worn no matter the weather. And sizing is so easy!

"Whether you love a classic check or a timeless tartan, capes are just another way to iterate on those style tentpoles in a way that feels fresh and new" - Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country

Tartan Cape Fraser Red Weathered Tartan Cape

Construct an on trend look by wearing with a sweater, your favourite jeans and boots, preferably knee high to modernise the outfit and create a real statement. However you decide to style your cape, make sure as a rule of thumb whatever you wear on your bottom half is well-fitting, otherwise you run the risk of looking frumpy due to the top-heavy nature of the product.

Eye-Catching Jackets

Let your clothes do the talking with our Longline Tartan Jacket, the final product in our top tailoring picks.

Match the coat to your autumn wardrobe by choosing the Stewart Hunting Modern tartan, full of beautiful olive greens with a subtle hint of pink. The tartan is statement enough, so underneath keep your outfit pretty simple by choosing colour blocking pieces. However if your heart is drawn to the tartan, pair with our Celtic Wrap Skirt in the matching tartan. Trust us, you will turn heads. For more Tartan Coat inspiration check out our style guide and to view our range of options take a peek at our Winter Coat Guide.

Stewart Hunting Weathered Longline Jacket Moodboard Stewart Hunting Weathered Longline Jacket

Whichever garment (or garments) you decide to order, remember each one is made to your measurements to ensure the perfect fit, combined with the finest tartan fabrics, traditionally woven here in Scotland, with over 500 tartans to test your decision making skills. Speak to our team if you would like a product or tartan you can't find on the website, as we may well be able to make it for you. Stay tuned for our next blog on how to style our collection of Tartan Kilts and Skirts!