Hop on board as Fashion Club takes you on a tour of plaid, the hottest textile this season, from its checkered past in Scotland to the runway hit it is today.

Before there was plaid, there was tartan plaid. Dating back to the 16th century, Scottish Highlanders wore plaid to identify their clan. It was a symbol of patriotism. In fact, in 1745 it was banned for 37 years in an effort to wipe out the clan system. In any case, it is one textile that has always represented strength and security. This is a colored print of the raising of the Gordon Highlanders from the National Museums of Scotland.

Then in the late ‘70s the punk scene hit and plaid had a whole new meaning with the anti-establishment movement. Vivienne Westwood embraced the look in her fashions with slashed seams and safety pins. It reared its head in the ‘90s with Nirvana and the grunge scene. It’s still a hot look in rock. Here is Katy Perry performing at T in the Park Music Festival in Scotland over last summer.