Tartan: Romancing the Plaid

by Jeffrey Banks, Doria de La Chapelle, Rose Marie Bravo (Foreword)

William “Braveheart” Wallace did battle in it. Queen Victoria decked Balmoral in it. Madonna donned it to strut around the stage. Tartan, the beloved symbol of kin, clan and nation to the Scots, has evolved into the one of the world’s favorite fabrics. Serving as inspiration for designers of everything from haute couture to furniture, tartan mania is in full swing. Fashion world insiders Jeffrey Banks and Doria de La Chapelle have written the definitive book on tartan, bringing together a dizzying array of images to tell the story of tartan’s humble beginnings to its current status as the ultimate emblem of great taste and high fashion. In addition to chronicling tartan enthusiasts from every age–including the incomparably fashionable Duke of Windsor whose closet was jam-packed with tartan kilts–Tartan profiles the designers who’ve made tartan an integral part of their work, from punk-inspired provocateurs Vivienne Westwood, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Alexander McQueen to the more refined fashions of titan Ralph Lauren and Burberry. The perfect mix of a fashion and lifestyle book, this volume explores the global phenomena of tartan mania.

Genres: Fashion, Art, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2007

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully laid out book of tartan fashions. It is not a guide to clans or motifs but a book showing the many highly styled uses of these plaids. Most of the photos (all but a few are in color) are of clothes, but there are a few of furnishings.

The text is small and hard to read on the high grade glossy paper. This will be OK for most since the narrative is secondary to the photos.

There are pictures of old paintings showing Scottish nobles wearing the plaid, tartans in battle and members of the British royal family wearing them. There are photos of more modern era British Royals, film stars and entertainers. A large variety of styles is shown in the photos from today’s high fashion world. Ralph Lauren, Vienne Westwood and Burberry have several pages.

If you are interested in this subject, this book is a must have.

[Marianna Hofmeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photographs and just enough text to draw me in. So far, so good.

[Muffy Kroha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expensive and it doesn't really deliver- It is Ok - but not great- Maybe the world of plaid doesn't have as much to offer as I thought it would- Usually plaid inspires me over the edge but I am not jumping up and down over this one. Oh well!!! You can't win em'all!

P.S. Now that I've just flipped through it one last time before shelving it, I think it is the editing that killed it- It is visually all over the place with no logical time line- I would have preferred a time line.

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ive been wanting to read this book since it came out. I finally got a copy through interlibrary loan. One of those big coffee table glossy books that really sets a ton, and in sense, plaid and all things tartan: it's history, in fashion, the Royals and in the home. I personally find it a universal, timeless fabric. Apparently, others agree.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations (all in colour) but text is just okay.