Plaid

Plaid: What You Should Know

The art of plaids… Plaid is an informal term for cloth patterns in which the squares of fabric are laid out in a series of alternating colors or in alternate stripes or patterns, as the basis for various decorative objects.  See it in a new light… Plaid patterns have a long history. The earliest known records of plaids date to the reign of Henry VII, when he commissioned the painter Matthew Boulton to paint a series of panels of plaids, and the artist's depiction of medieval England continues to fascinate. Plaid was also used as an identification mark for a soldier in the late 1500s.  It has since come to mean any pattern or patterned cloth, although the precise word is difficult to define.  It seems to have originated in Scotland, where it is associated with the clothing of Highland clans, but is found mainly in modern Scotland, and in Ireland, where it means the fabric of the clothing worn by Highland clans. Plaid seems to have gained momentum in the Victorian period, and was popularized by Victorian-era designers with its use in textile fabrics and clothing. Plaid on the World Stage — Wikipedia For information about the history of Scottish plaid, see this BBC article. Plaid — Wikipedia Plaid is a type of multi-colored geometric design with a strong Scottish accent; the word plaid is a shortened form of the term 'plaid' used for multicolored stripes, often in stripes, checks, or patterns, which are laid out in alternating groups, often in overlapping layers. Plaid originated in northern Scotland, but has made inroads into other parts of the UK as well. The plaid pattern can be made in more than one color and usually has a wide stripe length and wide variety of colors. Plaid uses the same design pattern over and over again as a source of inspiration, or as a pattern for design.  Plaid is closely associated with its association with Scotland, and was a popular style of clothing during the 17th and 18th centuries.  It was also popular in many parts of America during the 19th century.  The word plaid is Scottish in origin and derives from the Celtic word for a 'check', 'plied', which can be translated as 'a plaid'. The term plaid was first used in 1796 by Benjamin Harrison, who is said to have used it as a name for a 'national' type of garment.