Patterned clothing has always been popular amongst men and women looking to display a little personality in their wardrobe or accessories. The most popular types of patterning (besides pin and chalk stripes) are plaid, paisley, herringbone, and houndstooth. In men's clothing, these patterns adorn everything from socks to shirts to luxurious suit jackets with equanimity and style.
What is Plaid? Plaid Shirts, Ties, and Blazers
Plaid is a pattern consistenting of intersecting bands (horizontal meeting vertical) of various colours – in Scotland as well as many other places in the EU this pattern is known as tartan. While clan connotations and the distinguishing features between ancient, modern, and muted are largely bereft of aesthetic consideration for most retail fabrics, it is interesting to note.
Plaid is typically displayed on flannel or cotton work-shirts and casual collared shirts for men – from retailers such as Mark's. It is also quite commonly found on neckties, and in this instance, the particular tartan or plaid pattern displayed on the tie may be quite intentional – similarly to the personal tartan worn on a kilt.
Plaid is normally not matched with regards to colour, and most plaid shirts are best worn with casual cargo pants or with denim jeans. Due to the rather loud patterning, plaid neckties are commonly worn with plain, white cotton shirts and a solid colour suit or blazer.
Plaid patterned blazers, loud and ostentatious, are sometimes worn by sports persona Don Cherry – although they are not commonly worn in either a dress casual nor formal circumstances in present day.
What is Paisley? Paisley Neckties, Linings, and Dress Shirts
Paisley, as an aesthetic motif, originates in India – though it draws the name paisley from the town Paisley in Scotland. Paisley is a teardrop or pear shaped pattern often accompanied by intricate detailing both within and without of the pear-shapes.
Paisley is typically shown on neckties, their most prominent use in men's fashion. Paisley neckties remain excellent choices for men looking for a bold and prominent showpiece – for example, a lustrous, large gold paisley print emblazoned on a jet black silk tie. Paisley is also often present in the linings of men's suit jackets and blazers.
When paisley is worn on dress shirts, it normally comes in two distinct flavours. More commonly in today's fashion marketplace, muted paisley or tonal paisley designs are incorporated into dress and collared casual sport shirts, using near colours to rely on a subtle note. Bold and colourful paisley shirts can also be found, however they are less common and tread a delicate line between designer kitsch and corny and crude.
Nicholas Morine - Nicholas Morine Bachelor of Arts, English Language & Literature Master of Philosophy, Humanities (Candidate) Memorial University ...
