How to look expensive? Just add tartan!

Scotland is having a fashion moment. Miu Miu has just launched Miu Balmoral – a curated collection inspired by the late Queen’s Balmoral wardrobe (think Argyle knits and wax jackets).

Chloe sent kilts and sweeping tartan coats down the catwalk in Paris, while Loewe’s tartan comes in the form of jumpers, and Burberry’s autumn/winter offering included bold kilts.

Dior’s cruise show took place at Drummond Castle in Perthshire and paid sartorial homage to all things Scottish with kilts, tartan and tweed. 

Last month, Taylor Swift donned an edgy black and yellow tartan corset dress from the collection for the MTV music awards show.

All of which is good news for those of us who want to look like we’ve dressed in the latest designer must-haves – but haven’t the bank balance to match.

Because this season, if you want to look pulled together and subtly expensive, all you have to do is incorporate a little Scottish style into your wardrobe.

Here’s how to do it…

Tartan made 2024

Tartan was originally given the high fashion treatment in the 1990s by Westwood and McQueen.

For a 2024 update, enter Celia B. The Spanish designer has taken the traditional fabric and reimagined it in this year’s viral shape, the cocktail co-ord.

Celia B’s tartan co-ord can be worn with tights underneath and loafers by day in autumn, then to Christmas parties in a couple of months with gold accessories – see our model’s look here.

With a flattering shirred bodice and kick flare hems, its tartan is flecked with subtle, opaque disc sequins that shimmer in the light.

Trophy dress

Dress, £189, houseofcb.com; cardigan, £79, nobodyschild.com; boots, £59.99, newlook.com

You heard it here first: you’re going to see tartan dresses everywhere this season.

And I don’t just mean designer ones like Loewe’s £2,700 version. Pink City Prints’ ‘Ruby’ dress (£195, pinkcityprints.com) is a great alternative. 

Our model wears a slightly smarter version by House Of CB – its bodice features corsetry (light and comfortable, don’t be alarmed) that makes its silhouette extra feminine, its waist extra nipped and its skirt extra swooshy.

Highland bling

Dress, £185, sisterjane.com; bag, £80, shoes, £130, and earrings, £38, all boden.co.uk

Accessories are an easy way to inject some subtle Scottish appeal into an otherwise simple look. 

Miu Miu’s £1,290 tartan tote out of reach? Try Mrs. Alice’s tartan shopper (£158, mrsalice.com) – it’s roomier and features on-trend scalloped edges.

A tartan scarf adds just enough Rupert the Bear-inspired charm to jeans and a jumper – Hicks & Brown’s scarves are as soft as those triple their £89 price tag (hicksandbrown.com).

Boden’s tartan flats feature a bejewelled buckle that looks extra cool when clashed with casual denim.

Argyle style

Coat, £255, mariadelaorden.com; jumper, £35, marksandspencer.com; trousers, £295, bellahoskyns.com; bag, £190, apatchy.co.uk

This traditional Scottish knitting pattern – it was named after the 17th-century tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll – has been co-opted by high fashion in a big way this season. 

Miu Miu’s Argyle knit is £1,560, Prada’s is £1,290, while Loewe’s takes the biscuit at £1,650. Great Scot!

Thankfully M&S’s £35 homage comes in a pleasingly autumnal caramel tone with pumpkin orange and sky‑blue detailing. M&S also has an extra-prim cardigan version (£35) that’s positively queenly.

Need for tweed

Jumpsuit, £59.99, mango.com; shirt, £89.95, schoffelcountry.com; jumper, £45, riverisland.com; Bag, £158, mrsalice.com

Nobody can deny tweed will for ever be the country set’s camouflage. But, in tones other than brown, you won’t look like you’re off deer-stalking. Mango’s jumpsuit is a marbled grey tweed that’s very Chanel.

Tweed is a practical choice – cold city mornings stand no chance against a fabric designed to withstand freezing grouse moors. 

Throw River Island’s tartan jumper over your shoulders for extra Scottish flair – at £45, it’s the perfect dupe of Helmut Lang’s £550 version.

Wax lyrical

Coat, £179, joules. com; jacket, £198, and trousers, £130, boden.co.uk; loafers, £32.99, newlook.com

When the late Queen was offered a new Barbour coat to celebrate her 2012 Jubilee, the monarch opted to have an old one re-waxed instead.

And that sums up the magic of this season’s Scottish look – the pieces at its heart are staples you’ll wear for years to come.

For a budget-friendly option, head to Joules. Its Epwell coat, as worn by our model, offers a smarter take on the usually stinking-of-dog wax jacket that’s perfect for the city.

Kilty pleasures

Jumper, £18.99, hm.com; kilt, £245, broraonline.com; boots, £66, riverisland.com; bag, £250, jasperconran.com

Forget everything you think you know about kilts. This season they’ve been reimagined in flattering, modern style.

The key to nailing this trend, and avoiding frumpy librarian territory, is to ensure your kilt has a sexy side split. This allows for an elegant flash of leg when worn with sheer black tights.

Burberry’s autumn/winter collection featured bold red and green tartans, but muted colours work better off the catwalk. 

Try Brora’s understated version. Pair with a satin shirt and loafers for the office, and hiker-style boots at the weekend.