Plaid seems to become an especially appropriate pattern, not just for the holidays. Albeit, something about the mix of colors crossing over a dominant background seems particularly festive. Tartans came into being as the descendants of regional patterns marking out the various locales of ancient Scotland. Over time, they grew associated with the Scottish clans, to the point that most of the major clans had one or several tartans to its name. The Royal Stewart Tartan, as its name suggests, was the tartan of the House of Stewart, and reached significant heights as a symbol of power in unison with its famous bearers.
The House of Stewart rose to prominence at the end of the 13th Century, when it secured peace with England through a marriage union with the House of Tudor, thus claiming an inheritance with the English throne. The line produced a number of kings, many that ruled both England and Scotland; however, the Stewarts also presided over the famous interruption in the English monarchy, when the Republicans under Oliver Cromwell tried and beheaded King Charles I. The House became extinct in 1807, but it left its legacy upon Great Britain- and ensured the popularity of its personal tartan.
The Royal Stewart tartan is extremely popular, especially around Christmastime, and it’s not hard to see why. With a red background overlaid by wefts and warps of black, white, blue, and dark green, it has the colors of the Christmas season, from red bows to dark trees to twinkling blue lights. Nonetheless, there are few bold and confident fashionmisters who are not afraid to wear them any time of the year. It can work as both an accessory and a main piece, as a scarf or a pair of pants or sometimes even a sport coat. As it is a very bold pattern, its companion pieces should be paired down, so look for pants in brown or gray, shirts in white or light blue, coats in gray or black. This royal regalia speaks loudly enough on its own- it doesn’t need to be amplified.
