Scottish tartans

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

International Tartan Day is celebrated on 1 July in NZ. The popularity of tartan patterns can be seen in Scottish kilts, fashion clothing, household items and advertising over the years.

Tartan, Tartans, Plaid, Kilts, Scottish, Scots, Scotland, Fashion, Designs, Dancing, Highlands

International Tartan Day is celebrated on 1 July in New Zealand and Australia. This date is the anniversary of the repeal in 1782 of the Act of Proscription 1746 that banned the wearing of Scottish national dress. Tartan patterns with criss-crossed and vertical bands in a variety of colours have been long associated with Scotland and can be traced across Europe and Scandinavia. Tartan is often called plaid in the United States. You can search by surname to find the Scottish clan and tartan at the Scottish Shop and registered tartans (old and recent) at the Scottish Register of Tartans. Over the years, tartan patterns can also be seen emerging in clothing fashion and household items.  

Image: teacosy

teacosy

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Scottish Dancing 001

Scottish Dancing 001

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: automaton

automaton

Canterbury Museum

Scottish kilts and accessories

Scottish kilts have become the national dress of Scotland  In addition to clan tartans, many tartan patterns have been developed for individuals, families, districts, institutions, and corporations.   

Image: Herbert Boucher Dobbie

Herbert Boucher Dobbie

Auckland Libraries

Image: Highland dancers

Highland dancers

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: Turakina Highland Games, 2007

Turakina Highland Games, 2007

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Kilt

Kilt

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Scottish Glengarry Cap

Scottish Glengarry Cap

Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato

Image: cap, forage

cap, forage

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: medal, prize

medal, prize

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Clothing Styles

 Over the years tartan patterns can be seen emerging in men's clothing and women's fashion. 

 MEN: 

Image: Shirt: Tartan

Shirt: Tartan

Canterbury Museum

Image: Shirt: Bush

Shirt: Bush

Canterbury Museum

Image: Woollen shirt

Woollen shirt

Canterbury Museum

Image: gown, dressing, man's

gown, dressing, man's

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Pyjamas

Pyjamas

MOTAT

Women:

Image: T-shirt plaid skirt with tie waist

T-shirt plaid skirt with tie waist

New Zealand Fashion Museum

Image: Cerise evening gown with tartan skirt

Cerise evening gown with tartan skirt

New Zealand Fashion Museum

Image: Dress: Tartan Seersucker

Dress: Tartan Seersucker

Canterbury Museum

Image: Unidentified young woman

Unidentified young woman

Auckland Libraries

Image: Tartan swing coat with raglan sleeve

Tartan swing coat with raglan sleeve

New Zealand Fashion Museum

Image: Jacket

Jacket

MOTAT

Image: Belt

Belt

Puke Ariki

Image: Handkerchief

Handkerchief

Howick Historical Village

Image: Waipū Art n Tartan Awards

Waipū Art n Tartan Awards

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Children:

household items

 Tartan has also been incorporated in an assortment of household items.  

Image: Blanket

Blanket

MOTAT

Image: Rug

Rug

Howick Historical Village

Image: King home study

King home study

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: umbrella

umbrella

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: doll, kewpie

doll, kewpie

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Cushion, Pin

Cushion, Pin

Puke Ariki

Image: Highlander sweetened condensed milk

Highlander sweetened condensed milk

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Biscuit Container.

Biscuit Container.

Howick Historical Village

Image: saucer

saucer

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: teacup

teacup

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: dip pen

dip pen

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira