Today, April 6th, is Tartan Day. Historically, the most ancient reference to Tartan dates back to 1800 BC with the Tarim Mummies discovered in Xinjiang, China wearing Tartan leggings. Some similarities were underlined with textile remains found from the European Hallstatt culture which was predominant between 1200 BC and 500 BC.
Today, Tartan is largely associated with Scotland and has a deep historical signification. It is often seen on kilts and shoulder shawls and often paired with bagpipes in current times. Previously, belted kilts were worn by men and shawls by women. After appearing in the country in the 16th century and being banned by the 1746 Dress Act due to its promotion as a rebellion political uniform, to then being reinstated in 1782, it became the emblematic dress of Scotland. The Highlands who joined the royal regiment were exempt from the ban and, with their participation in the British imperialist expansion and to reinforce their keenship, the regiment incorporated Tartan in their uniform known as the Black Watch’s Tartan. In the 18 hundreds, United Kingdom royals such as King George IV and Queen Victoria wore Tartan, which made it of fashionable good taste throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Before the mid 19 hundreds, different Tartans were associated with different regions as they were made locally by their local weavers using the locally available dyes. Later on, different Tartans were associated with different clans, families, organizations, brands and royal personalities such as Queen Elizabeth. As a matter of fact, one Tartan you are most certainly familiar with is the Burberry Tartan, which was created in 1920 and was used originally as a lining to their iconic trench coat. It is recognized by the Scotish Tartan Authority. The historical association to regalness and authority of Tartan contributed to its use as a political statement in the 70’s by the punk movement as a form of rebellion against modern society as well as its use in private schools as part of their uniforms.
In the early 1960′, a Canadian Tartan was created by Highland Queen Sportswear Ltd., a Torontonian garment company, to highlight the, then, upcoming Expo 67 and Canada’s 100th year anniversary. This Tartan was also worn by Canadian officials to represent the country during meetings. Distinctive provincial Tartans were added later on. And, a little cherry on our Tartan journey, Montreal was gifted its own Tartan for its 375th birthday in 2017 by the Saint Andrew’s Society of Montreal, a charitable society representing Montreal’s Scottish community. It is even officially registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Tartan is often mistaken with other fabrics such as Plaid. Here is a visual distinctive picture showing Plaid on the right and Tartan on the left.
