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Tis’ the season! Can you believe it? Christmas is just five short days away! YAY!

This is the time of year when it really is just too much fun to embrace all the traditions of the season… one of them being the wearing of The Plaid!

Okay, so maybe we are prone to think that plaid is reserved for sweet, angelic five year-old girls in little patterned dresses with gigantic bows in their hair. Not so! Just because you might be a few years (or decades) beyond elementary school doesn’t mean you can’t embrace plaid in all its glory!

To better appreciate plaid, let’s start with a history lesson... How was plaid (technically, “tartan”) born and why is it so popular?

Well, I learned a lot on the Smithsonian’s website. Plaid was created by the Scots (those historic herders of the ‘‘wee woolies”) from individually-died threads of sheep’s wool that were then woven together. And guess what? The first tartan dates back to 3,000 years ago!!! Each region had its own pattern and you could distinguish where someone was from by their tartan. (Such colloquialisms were pretty descriptive, too. A “loud Macleods” tartan was vibrant yellow and black!)

It’s almost too easy for us to run to a Nordstrom rack and find an assortment of colors and prints to choose from, but to consider how a pairing of colors and patterns has 3,000 years’ worth of history, family, tradition and culture behind it is, well, just mind blowing. Especially in an era where we might feel a lack of meaning behind why we wear what we wear, plaid can serve as a reminder that we can get more personal and intentional with our clothing choices.

So… I must say I’ve been LOVING wearing plaid this season. Between navy and forest green plaid pants, and emerald and red plaid shift dresses… it’s truly ignited that warm spark to the season for me. I’ve seen so many creative plaid designs that I’d like to share a few with you. Especially if you’re unsure what to wear this Christmas season and you’re feeling a little “blah”.... Let plaid serve as inspiration for your festive Look!

Here are a few of my favorites: