Mad for Plaid

Sequin Black Watch Plaid Handbag

I have always loved plaid. I came to love it even more living in Alexandria, Virginia for many years. Alexandria was founded by Scotsmen and the biggest event of the year is the Scottish Walk, always the first weekend in December. The weekend always included a gala where tartan was the preferred attire. I would wear a black watch tartan strapless silk taffeta gown.

Tartan Accessories

Scarlet Rhinestone Pointed Toe Loafers in Solstice Plaid

 

Tartan is such a classic choice for winter and the holidays. These are really pretty choices. (And they are all 40% of this weekend). I would wear these loafers above with slacks and a cashmere sweater. Many of these picks are great for gift giving.

Tartan and Tulle for the Holidays

Collection Tiered Tartan Ball Gown Skirt

This skirt is utterly my taste. Tulle from my dancing ballet for 20 years, tartan from decades in Alexandria, Virginia with its Scottish heritage and wonderful Scottish Walk Weekend. I used to swag my front door and windows in wool tartan for the Scottish Walk. 

The Ladylike Trend - Black Watch Tartan

Black Watch Chloe Dress

I became a tartan fan living in Alexandria, Virginia for many years. Alexandria was founded by Scotsmen and the biggest event of the year is the Scottish Walk, always the first weekend in December. The weekend always included a gala where tartan was the preferred attire. I would wear a black watch tartan strapless silk taffeta gown.

Black Watch is one of the most famous and popular tartans ever‚ recognized the world over. In 1725, the Black Watch was formed by companies from Clans Campbell‚ Fraser‚ Munro and Grant with their warrior natures to guard and protect the Highlands‚ and authorized to wear their kilt and bear arms.

Here are some wonderful black watch choices for fall.

The Ladylike Trend - The Corduroy Dress

Brown Corduroy Clifton Dress

 

I love corduroy for the fall. It is so comfortable and such a classic and just gets better over time. I have found a great cord dress that will be your go-to choice for everything.

Tabletop Christmas Trees

Blue and White Chinoiserie Tabletop Christmas Tree

 

Two's Company now has three versions of its classic tabletop Christmas tree. A tartan version has been added to its collection. These trees are perfect for the mantel, dining table, entryway table, or anywhere in the home. 

Mad About Plaid

Royal Stewart Tartan Jamie Dress

 

I am crazy about tartan. I lived for many years in Alexandria, Virginia that has very strong Scottish roots. My favorite event of the year was always The Scottish Walk, the first weekend in December, that was three days of round the clock Scottish festivities including a heather and greens sale, a Scotch whisky and food tasting gala, and a wonderful parade. For the gala, many men would wear tuxedo jackets with authentic kilts, and many women had gorgeous tartan gowns. I had a floor length strapless silk taffeta gown in Black Watch tartan that I loved. It had a matching stole too.

Tartan Love

Alexandria's Scottish Walk

I really miss the Scottish Walk in Alexandria, Virginia that takes place the first weekend in December. But that doesn't mean I won't be incorporating tartan in my home and wardrobe for the holiday season here in Florida. Here are some great choices. BTW, tartan looks fantastic with blue and white Chinese porcelain.

Tartan & Chinoiserie

Tartan DIY

 

I love bringing tartan elements into my home for the holidays. Tartan looks amazing with blue and white Chinese porcelain. Here is an easy and elegant idea - cover some books in tartan wrapping paper. Use them on your coffee table, entryway console table, bookshelves.... And of course it's a wonderful choice for wrapping gifts. 

Chinoiserie Christmas

Dana Mahnke - Indigo Home Shop

A front door wreath with hand made and hand painted blue and white Chinoiserie ornaments and tartan is absolutely perfect.

Scottish Walk Christmas Weekend

It is Scottish Walk Christmas Weekend in Alexandria, Virginia, my absolute favorite. Today will be filled with bloody marys, the parade, brunch, tartan, heather, a Potomac River parade of boats decorated for the holidays, and Scotch.

I also love combining Chinoiserie and tartan for holiday and winter decorating. Here is a lovely example by Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren

A Chinoiserie Christmas - Day 8

Ralph Lauren

Nobody does a better job at combining tartan and Chinoiserie than Ralph Lauren. This bedroom is a wonderful mix of tartan plaids, white linens, a blue and white Chinoiserie lamp, and classic art and furniture.

A Chinoiserie Christmas - Day 7

New England Home

 A wonderful entryway that combines tartan and Chinoiserie with a tartan blanket on the wicker waking stick stand and Chinoiserie touches that include a red Chinese lantern, blue and white ginger jar, and a blue and white double gourd vase. I am off to a friend's for Bloody Marys at 9 am before the Scottish Parade at 11 am. Lots of tartan today.

A Chinoiserie Christmas - Day 6

Ralph Lauren Home

To help celebrate the 46th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in my beloved Alexandria, Virginia, this weekend I will feature tartan and Chinoiserie. This is also a wonderful choice for the holidays.

I am looking forward to lots of Scotch, wearing tartan, gorgeous weather for the parade on Saturday, and lots of good food, friends, and fun.

Scottish Walk Parade 2015

Scottish Walk Parade 2015

Scottish Walk Parade 2015

Ralph Lauren Home

Ralph Lauren Home

Tartan and Chinoiserie

Ralph Lauren

Tartan & Chinoiserie

Southern Living

A bamboo Chinoiserie bar cart and tartan curtains are  a great combination.

Tartan & Chinoiserie

Charlotte Moss - Elle Decor

Chinese porcelain and a tartan blanket are a great pairing in this room by Charlotte Moss.

Tartan & Chinoiserie

Atlanta Homes

A wonderful mud room that combines tartan and Chinoiserie.

Tartan & Chinoiserie

This coming weekend is a great favorite of mine, the Scottish Walk Christmas Weekend in Alexandria, Virginia. My thoughts have turned to how much I love the combination of tartan and Chinoiserie as I focus on swathing my home and myself in tartan for the festivities. Here are some pictures of past Scottish Walks.

Baby It's Cold Outside - Tartan & Chinoiserie

With much of the country shivering under an arctic blast, I decided to switch gears today. It was 7 degrees when I walked my dog just now and I live in Virginia, not Minnesota. Schools are canceled today because of the cold! Only my dog loves it - she is a Tibetan Spaniel and the breed is from the mountains of Tibet and she can't get enough of the cold weather.

Instead of #8 of my top ten Chinoiserie trends for 2014, we will take a look at the warm and toasty combination of tartan and Chinoiserie. This is a wonderful pairing - classic, traditional, and timeless. The undisputed masters of combining tartan and Chinoiserie are Ralph Lauren and Scot Meacham Wood/The Adventures of Tartanscot. I love tartan - I have two Pinterest boards on tartan here and here. Want to follow me on Pinterest? Click here.