Difference Between Plaid & Flannel

A simple plaid pattern.

Flannel is a fabric, while plaid is a pattern. Confusion between the two might arise because flannel often bears a plaid pattern. Historically, flannel was made from wool, but modern flannels are often made with combinations of cotton, silk or synthetic fibers instead. The pattern known as plaid in the United States is actually called tartan in Scotland, where it originates. It consists of criss-crossing vertical and horizontal stripes of various colors.

Tartan and Plaid

In North America, the word "plaid" refers to a pattern of intersecting horizontal and vertical bands in several colors. In Scotland, this pattern is known as "tartan." In Scotland, "plaid" means a cloth of tartan that is hung over one shoulder.

History of Flannel

Flannel dates back to the 1600s, when it was first produced in Wales. Historically, it was made from wool. Starting in the 20th century, flannel-like fabrics were made using combinations of cotton and silk, and later, synthetic fabrics as well.

History of Tartan

Tartan was first made in Scotland in the 1500s. It grew in popularity over the next few centuries, and different patterns became associated with different regions or different clans. In the Victorian era, tartan became popular with the British nobility, and eventually came to be associated with the aristocracy and military.

Flannel and Plaid/Tartan in Popular Culture

Due to its warmth and comfort, flannel was originally popular with farmers, lumberjacks and others who typically worked outside in colder climates. During the 1990s, flannel became a symbol of grunge music, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Plaid, or tartan, also gained a new following in the late 20th century, though with a more political motive. Because tartan was considered a symbol of the aristocracy or military, it became an expression of anti-establishment sentiments to wear pieces of tartan in an unconventional or disrespectful way, such as sewing a patch of tartan into a jacket. During the 1970s, tartan became a symbol of the punk movement in Britain.

References

• Scottish Tartans: Introduction to Tartan
• The Free Dictionary: Definition of Flannel
• Apparel Search: History of Flannel