{ inspiration board } Mad for Plaid

Perhaps it's the centuries-long tradition of tartan, or just the well-styled J.Crew fall collection, but there's no denying the classic appeal of plaid.

{ fast facts }

• "The English word tartan is derived from the French tiretain. This French word is probably derived from the verb tirer in reference to woven cloth." {source}
  
  
• "The word plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide, meaning "blanket," was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan, particularly that which preceded the modern kilt. In time, plaid was used to describe blankets themselves." {source}
  
  
• "Tartan may be mostly associated with Scotland, however the earliest evidence of tartan is found far afield from the British Isles ... some of them were recently discovered remarkably preserved in Salzburg, Austria." {source}
  
  
• "It has been estimated that there are about 3,500 to 7,000 different tartans, with around 150 new designs being created every year. With four ways of presenting the hues in the tartan – modern, ancient, weathered and muted colours – there are thus between about 14,000 recognized tartan variations to choose from." {source}
  
  

{ shopping list }

Leave the flannel shirts to the men. Add a dose of plaid to your closet through undeniably feminine silhouettes like this dress - perfect for work and holiday soirees. A glam clutch or classic pumps can subtly enhance your ensemble. You can even add a touch of tartan to your make-up bag with eyeshadow stamped with the iconic print.

{inspiration images via Desktop Nexus, The Independent, Market Publique, Harper's Bazaar, The Fashion-y Blog}