Check Please

Every seasonal cycle the fashion industry churns out a set of familiar trends: Breton stripes in spring, cable knits for autumn, floral prints for high summer. This winter, a traditional trend has once again struck the industry, good old fashion tartan. Filtering down from fashion week catwalks to the humble high street, tartan has been worked into clothing and accessories.

M&S's 'goth chic' take on the tartan trend

According to Daily Record stylist Julia Hannah, tartan is one of those trends that pop up year after year: “the catwalks of Paris, Milan, New York and London are filled with plain and checks…What other trend do you know that’s worn by rock stars and country gents (alike)”.

 Celine getting checked out for AW13

Rock stars, country gents… Conservative MP’s. Alongside Karl Lagerfeld’s over-sized tartan coat for Chanel, Moschino’s tailored suiting and Celine’s washed-out check colour palette, my favourite incarnation of this trend so far has to come Home Secretary Theresa May, who sported a Vivienne Westwood Anglomania trouser suit at the Conservative party conference this month, showing that head-to-toe tartan can be done with aplomb. I also love how someone with such right wing politics has embraced the very liberal leanings associated with the VW brand.

Theresa May, rocking head-to-toe Anglomania

What works for clothing however, doesn’t always translate well onto watches. I have seen several attempts to incorporate tartan into watch design, with highly commended efforts coming from both Swatch and Kolor. The outstanding contribution to interpreting this trend however, must go to the tartan Queen herself, Vivienne Westwood.

Swatch's take on the tartan trend

As an iconic strain of the Vivienne Westwood DNA, tartan is a key part to the Anglomania and Red Label collections with the  Exhibition tartan being the most popular. Tartan has been used on VW’s watches since the first collection in 2011 but the look has been toned down to have a more classic feel for AW13.

Here’s a few of my top picks:

 L-R Ravenscourt £225, Maida £225, Exhibitor £199

Each strap is individually cut from lengths of the Exhibition tartan printed leather, giving each a unique pattern placement and colour. The Exhibitor, named for the Exhibition tartan is the most commercial of the three looks and would look really strong worn with an all black ensemble and  bright red heels.

A small injection of tartan is definitely an easier way to interpret this seasonal and trend without committing to all over check and coming over all square eyed. So do like a Tory MP and get the check style for this AW season. 

You're guaranteed to need it again next year.