Women's Tartan Plaid Dresses

A pinafore or a shift, for everyday wear, because both keep the sett flat and let the pattern read cleanly. A wrap works well too and adjusts at the waist. What tartan does not suit is heavy gathering or ruching, since a sett distorted across folds turns into visual noise rather than a pattern.

A skirt, considerably. The sett is broken by whatever you wear above it, so you control how much pattern is showing. A dress commits to a full run of tartan from shoulder to hem, which is a stronger look and a less flexible one. See preppy and schoolgirl for the skirt equivalent.

Yes, and at a Scottish wedding it will read as entirely appropriate rather than as a costume. Choose a muted or weathered sett unless the couple has asked for a specific tartan, and avoid the bride's family sett unless you belong to it. Add a sash only if the wedding calls for one.

A plain cardigan, a solid blazer or a long coat in a colour pulled from the darker tones of the sett. Nothing patterned. If you want a belt, take it in a single leather tone that matches your shoes. Tights should be solid rather than textured, since two patterns on the leg and body compete.

Bust at the fullest point, waist at the natural crease, hip at the widest, and the finished length from the shoulder down to where you want the hem. Take all four over the underwear you intend to wear. Length from shoulder rather than waist matters here, since a dress is one continuous measurement.

Premium acrylic woven to the sett rather than printed. The pattern runs through the cloth so it cannot fade off the surface, and it holds a pressed line at pleats and seams. Acrylic is also lighter than heavier traditional cloth, which matters in a garment worn against the whole body.