Tartan Treats

Tartan has been a massive trend for AW13 and it's set to continue it's reign as we catwalk into a new season. Post London Fashion Week we are happy that our investment in our tartan key pieces hasn't been a complete 'fashion fad' and our new garments aren't going to  live in the bottom of our wardrobes until it's next throwback. Designers including Simone Rocha and Margaret Howell gave the tartan trend a revival honouring that Vivienne Westwood punk style with a new chic design and a fresh cut.

Bold Prints at Vivienne Westwood - London Fashion Week AW14. Image: htttp://www.londonfashionweek.com

Traditional Tartan at Simone Rocha - London FashionWeek AW14. Image: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

Independence at Margaret Howell - London Fashion Week - AW14. Image: http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

A tartan print can give a simple outfit edge without the effort. What could normally be quite a boring shift dress, skirt or shirt suddenly becomes a versatile piece that you can dress up or down for those times where we need to make a quick transition from work to play once leaving the office. It's not just staple pieces leading the way with tartan prints either but accessories also with scarfs, bags, and hair bows all adorning the tartan print. 

Obviously I haven't been able to stop myself purchasing a few tartan printed key pieces to carry me through the season. Unable to avoid the trend on the high-street it would have been rude not too, i've even managed to update  my wardrobe without breaking the bank by picking up the 'must have' red and green tartan print dress  as seen on real woman Holly Willoughby from everybody's favourite bargain fashion store Primark for just £15.00 

Primark Tartan Print Dresses - £15.00 Each - Image: http://www.look.co.uk

And because one dress isn't enough for one of the most popular trends of the season I also purchased this great blue and green tartan print shift dress from New Look for just £14.99 - But theirs a quite a funny story behind the great price...

Newlook Tartan Pront Shift Dress - £!4.99 - £22.99 - Image: http://www.newlook.co.uk

This great little dress is an age 14, YES! an age 14 years from the 915 New Look girls section, the EXACT same dress can also be purchased from the woman's section for an also reasonable £22.99, but we don't like reasonable we like a bargain and at £14.99 for the EXACT same dress it's a steal - So being short does sometimes have it's advantages we might not be able to see the front the stage from the back at a festival or reach the top shelve but we can fit into a range of kids clothing and save some pennies by doing so. 

Not one to miss out on a bargain I also picked up this great little bold tartan print boyfriend coat from edgy fashion store Ark, the coat was in the sale and reduced from £44.99 to just £22.00, a massive saving for something that is still so on trend.

Ark Tartan Coat - £44.99 - Image: http://www.ark.co.uk

Tartan Coat Teamed with workwear, Over-Sized Zara Tote and Gold Chain Detail Flatforms.

So although the tartan trend might be quite a bold fashion statement to make, it's a must for the current season and will ensure your wardrobe is bang on trend for the future seasons too. 

Take a look at Proudlock one of the cast members from my favourite
reality show Made In Chelsea who has fully embraced the Tartan trend with some bold print tailoring and his signature specs. 

Made In Chelsea's most fashionable man Proudlock a tailor made tuxedo by Clifton Suits. Image: Proudlocks Instagram @proudlock

Words Nathalie Dawe