The Tartan Skirt

This floor-length tartan skirt is an exploration of personal history, cultural heritage, and sustainable craftsmanship. Made from 100% heavyweight wool, the garment takes inspiration from traditional British countryside attire—practical, enduring, and grounded in natural materials. The navy and blue tartan evokes the school uniform I wore growing up in England, weaving a sense of familiarity and nostalgia into the structure of the piece. By referencing both Scottish tartan and British rural fashion, the design becomes a quiet conversation between past and present, tradition and reinterpretation.

Tartan itself is a fabric steeped in significance. Historically associated with Scottish clans, each unique pattern once served as a visual marker of identity. During the 18th century, tartan was outlawed in the wake of the Jacobite uprisings—a suppression that only strengthened its symbolic power. Its revival marked a reclaiming of culture, and today, tartan continues to represent legacy, resilience, and belonging. By integrating this fabric into a modern silhouette, the skirt honors this lineage while offering a personal reinterpretation rooted in memory.

Equally important to this piece is its material integrity. The choice of wool is intentional: a natural, renewable, and biodegradable fiber that speaks to the values of slow fashion. Unlike synthetic alternatives, wool is breathable, durable, and thermally efficient—making it a responsible choice for both wearer and environment. Its weight and texture bring a tactile warmth to the design, reinforcing the skirt’s connection to both nature and necessity.

This garment is designed not only to be worn, but to be remembered. It exists as a layered expression—of history, of place, of material care—and reflects a belief that what we wear can hold meaning far beyond the surface.