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The Tailor's Art

 

 
Introduction
Creation of the Man’s Suit
The Suit in the 19th Century
Men’s Dressing Gown and Waistcoat Fabrics
Tartan
Passementerie
Men’s Accessories in the 19th Century
Neckties and Cravats
Men’s Accessories in the 20th Century
Tailoring for Women
Appropriating the Dandy
Contrast Between the Modern Suit and Feminine Fashion
Mid-Century America: Conformity in Suburbia
Mid-Century Humor: Conversational Textiles
Counterculture Menswear
Contemporary Tailoring for Men
Menswear Fabrics - A Glossary
 

 

TARTAN

Tartan is a multicolor check or plaid twill woven wool fabric associated with often-romanticized notions of Scottish identity. Contrary to popular belief, specific tartan patterns, such as Dress Stewart and Black Watch, can not be empirically linked to specific Scottish clans or families. Still, tartan has played an important role in the history of Scottish nationalism. By 1600, tartan was a distinctive part of Highland dress, but after 1745, when the Highlanders supported the Stuart prince “Bonny Prince Charlie” against King George II, the wearing of tartan was forbidden. The rebel nature of tartan can be traced back to this time. This illuminates tartan’s appeal to the punk rockers of the 1970s, and to fashion designers in search of subversive style. Paradoxically, tartan can also be conventionally fashionable and, in addition to being a favorite for both men’s and women’s clothing, it is widely used today for interior fabrics.

 

 
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All photographs by Irving Solero, courtesy of the Museum at FIT, unless otherwise noted.