| Scotland has always had a reputation for traditional | | | | decades, designer Belinda Robertson has helped to |
| fabrics, such as tartan, tweed and cashmere, but its | | | | transform the fabric's image as a staple fashion item |
| modern designers are currently coming into their own | | | | for middle-aged women into that of a must-have |
| and putting a new slant on Scottish fashion. | | | | fashion item for younger generations. She now |
| Tartan has been worn with pride for centuries by the | | | | designs for private labels in the US and Japan. |
| Scots and makes a bold statement that reflects the | | | | Cashmere is also much more readily available on the |
| nation's dramatic heritage. Today it's largely kept for | | | | high street now, which must in part be due to this |
| traditional events, or as evening dress in the form of | | | | cashmere revival. |
| kilts for men or sashes for ladies in the classic Royal | | | | In fact, in spite of its reputation for using |
| Stuart, Black Watch and Buchanan styles. | | | | predominantly traditional fabrics, in recent years, |
| It is far from being a tame option, however, as there | | | | modern Scottish clothing has really taken off. New |
| are in excess of 13,000 types of tartans to choose | | | | Scottish designers such as Christopher Kane and |
| from, in all manner of colours, ranging from classic | | | | Jonathan Saunders have succeeded in really putting |
| reds and greens to more off-the-wall yellows and | | | | Scotland on the map. |
| purples. | | | | Stocked in some of Britain's most glamorous stores, |
| Harris Tweed is another of Scotland's traditional | | | | clothes by both designers have also started |
| cloths and is something of a specialty fabric. Only | | | | numerous current fashion trends. Kane is known for |
| tweed that has been hand woven by islanders from | | | | kicking off the recent trends for animal print and |
| Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra in their homes, using pure | | | | ruffles and Saunders' dresses employ an |
| virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer | | | | eye-catchingly modern style in bold and monochrome |
| Hebrides, is allowed to use the Harris name, and | | | | shades. |
| bears the famous orb stamp. | | | | What's more, the trend of new Scottish designers |
| The fabric is largely used to make smart winter | | | | looks set to continue. The yearly Scottish Fashion |
| jackets, as it is renowned for its durability and | | | | Awards have helped to develop a buzz about |
| warmth, which is particularly useful in a Scottish | | | | Scottish fashion, to the extent that The Scottish |
| winter! | | | | Fashion Council was created two years ago to |
| When it comes to softer knits, Scottish cashmere is | | | | promote awareness of Scottish fashion design |
| among the finest in the world and comes in a variety | | | | worldwide. |
| of delicious pastel shades. Over the past few | | | | |
