Anarchy in the UK, joked the Sex Pistols in their destroy kilts during the Seventies. This season a very British wind is blowing on fashion, presented for the winter catwalks of Versace, Dries Van Noten and Dior. We all feel like adopting tartan from head to foot, but it’s not that easy to do.
As a modern day punkette, we dare the tartan pattern with a rebellious London connotation by featuring rock accessories, in an aristocratic version with a coat worthy of Lady Di wandering around Balmoral, or then as an all-over with a tailored suit for the most daring. Here is a small practical guide for a princely look without being banished from the fashion clan.
Slip into a large coat
Ironically, between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, it’s the American who wins (hands down) the match of the most good looking tartan coat. We do our best to avoid the first degree dowdy side of the future queen, and prefer to copy the wife of Harry by associating it with a black turtleneck and flare pants. For a more Parisian style, we switch our pumps for dad shoes that will surely sustain a busy day.
Doube face checked coat, Sandro, €475.
Laeken coat, Bellerose, €359.
Checked coat, The Kooples, €548.
Dare the tailored suit
Dare and double dare to wager on the total tailored pantsuit for a snappy style? Why not the combo jacket + skirt / pants in all the overtones (yellow, red, green, blue) and for a little calming effect, to be worn with moccasins and a beige trench coat. Easy-peasy, my dear.
Jacket (345 €) and pants (195 €), all by Claudie Pierlot.
Double-breasted jacket with checks (€39.99), miniskirt with belt (€19.99), all by Bershka.
Jacket (275 €) and pants (135 €) with checks, all by Les Petites. Available at the end of October.
Wager on a strong accessory
Perfect as a first step before becoming totally addicted to the Scottish check, the tartan accessory highlights with style an overly grey winter look. In a high boot version to go work, studded fanny pouch to give a punk touch to a trench coat, or maxi tote as stylish as the one Grannies wear. In short, the good compromise for shy types.
Padded fanny pouch with motif panther motif, Topshop, €34.
High-heel booties with tartan motif, Boohoo, €56 on sale at €39.
The Giant reversible tote bag in tartan cotton, Burberry, €1,550.
Go for a strong piece
Nothing like a blouse, a kilt or a jumpsuit to match up the trendy print of the season with your own wardrobe. Tartan will easily go by worn with plain overtones, or even as a mix and match for the most daring. The rule not to make a fashion faux-pas? With a different colour check or another print in the same tone.
Curl Check A blouse, Leon & Harper, €125.
Kilt skirt with checks, Maje, €195.
One-piece tartan Piccoli jumpsuit, Flolove, €235.
Find the inspiration
At Merci, the coolest concept-store in the Marais, the fashion space has been decorated and features a 100 % tartan selection, wildly Instagrammable! On the programme? A wardrobe worthy of Lady Di with a Roseanna orange pair of checked pants (€290), a real Lochcarron kilt (€192), a Pijama laptop cover (€48), a Scottish béret (€39), a wonderful Isabel Marant maxi tote (€650), or a fab Roberto Collina pullover in the tone (€266 ). Piece of cake!
Until the 20th of October at Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris.
Also discover the top 10 trench coats and the new brands everyone is talking about.
