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With the huge popularity of the BBC programme Traitors, Scottish style is once again dominating the world of fashion.
Tartan is being highlighted as never before by heritage brands like Dior, Ralph Lauran, Burberry and Barbour – but if you're attracted by the romance and heritage of this soulfully Scottish design, how do you wear it in a way that is more boutique and less Bay City Rollers?
We enlisted the help of House of Bruar, the Scottish retailer and clothing label that has been quietly producing exceptional pieces in traditional pure wool tartan for over 30 years.
Creative Director Tom Birkbeck, who manages the creation of two seasonal clothing collections each year, gave us some helpful tips.
Choose your colour carefully
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"Tartan is about so much more than bright red Royal Stewart, though of course that's an iconic colour. Blackwatch tartan is a great place to start because the palette of black, navy blue and bottle green looks great with other pieces. A tartan with ‘muted’, ‘ancient’ or ‘weathered’ before its name will be one where the colours have been toned down to give a more subtle washed country look. Other tartans combine brightness with a muted base. Our own 'Atholl Modern' tartan has a dark Blackwatch base, but with a stunning red overcheck. The options are endless - it can be an expression of your personality – or even your mood."
Start with a single piece
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"If you want a full tartan outfit, go for it, but the easiest way to introduce tartan into your wardrobe is by choosing a highlight garment or accessory you love, and working around that with different pieces bringing out the key colours. Perhaps this will be a pair of tartan trousers teamed with a relaxed lambswool slipover and white shirt. You'll get compliments on your trousers but you won't feel self-conscious."
Consider a tartan tweed
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"Pure wool tartan tweed is a great way to wear a heritage tartan check, but introducing a different, more rustic texture into your dressing – really perfect for Autumn and Winter. Our Collection features a stunning tweed based on a Stewart sett but using really pared down country colours, and with a brushed finish that lifts the fibres. We've used this within a stunning ladies coat and a lumber jacket for men amongst other pieces – an incredibly subtle way to bring Highland style into your wardrobe. Suppliers like Harris Tweed Hebrides and Lochcarron of Scotland do a particularly amazing job with their pure wool tartan tweeds, so they are absolute mainstays for us."
Play fast and loose with fabric
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"Traditionally, tartan has been woven in Scotland and Britain from pure wool, in a worsted 2/2 twill weave. Everyone should own a piece of traditional tartan cloth, but if you love the pattern, there is no reason to restrict your collection to just traditional fabrics. This year we have an evening-focused range in tartan taffeta, which has the classic slub-weave texture that's reminiscent of Princess Diana's 1980s style. It's important to respect the heritage of this design, but it also has to be fun!"
Don't stop with your own wardrobe
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"Tartan isn't just for you! My wife and I love dressing the kids in brushed tartan PJs for Christmas morning. You can even add it to your home – our beautiful pure wool tartan throws draped over a bed or an armchair can lift an entire space. And once you’ve finished your home, why not deck out your beloved dog? We have an incredible range of tartan tweed dog coats, here modelled amazingly by Charlie, who belongs to a long-standing employee!"
Make it personal to you
House of Bruar (Image: Supplied)
"Tartan has always been about Scottish and clan identity, and it's still wonderful to wear your own clan or regimental tartan, but there are so many different sentimental and style reasons to choose a piece. You could be wearing an amazing Blackwatch jacket because the tartan symbolises bravery, and perhaps that boosts your confidence when you wear it. You could be wearing a Campbell of Cawdor piece for romantic reasons because of its history of the joining of two clans. Or maybe you just really love the colours in a particular design. Wear it proudly in a way that feels right for you."
TheHouse of Bruar's Autumn & Winter Clothing Collection is available online or in-store now. Situated 10 miles north of Pitlochry on the A9, the store offers country clothing from a variety of renowned brands, alongside its own exclusive designs. There is also an award-winning Food Hall, spaces for antiques, Scottish art, gifts, and a dedicated whisky shop, along with a 600-seat restaurant, Lobster Fish & Chip Shop and Scottish Ice Cream Parlour. The 11-acre estate adjoins the Falls of Bruar, a renowned beauty spot with a scenic circular walk.