Gothic and Grunge Plaid Pants

The hardware and the cut. Straps across the thigh, D rings, chains, buckles and lacing detail, usually on black based or deeply muted setts with a straighter or wider leg. The sett alone is not enough. Without the fittings they are simply dark tartan trousers.

Black based tartans first, then deep grey, charcoal and very dark green. Black Watch works particularly well because it reads almost black at distance and reveals the sett up close. Avoid anything with strong red or yellow, since brightness fights the whole register.

The waist and thigh straps usually adjust and take real load. Decorative straps and chains across the hip are anchored through reinforced stitching so they hold weight without tearing out of the cloth. Hardware is metal rather than plastic throughout, which is what stops it snapping under strain.

A plain black top, fitted rather than loose, and heavy boots. Nothing else patterned anywhere. If you want a second element, keep it to metal rather than cloth. See punk plaid skirts and Halloween tartan for the same register in other cuts.

Fasten every buckle and clip first so nothing snags the cloth or the drum, then wash cold on a gentle cycle. Remove any detachable chains. Hang to dry, since heat can distort plated fittings and shrink the cloth around them, leaving the hardware sitting proud of the seam.

Detachable chains usually can, and are worth removing before washing. Stitched straps and anchored D rings cannot, since removing them leaves visible stitch holes in the cloth. Check the product page before ordering if this matters.