Tartan: banned, repealed, revered.
Tartan might be one of the most enduring materials to exist, but its history is flawed and complex. Banned, repealed, and widely regarded as a symbol of rebellion. It’s a material with over 7000 official iterations, and a rich history that’s seen it adopted by generations of non-conformists across the globe.
Whilst its origins can be traced back to central Europe, it’s famously associated with Scottish heritage. Thrust into infamy after its ban in the 18th century in a bid to control the Highlands, Scots caught wearing any form of tartan faced imprisonment or deportation. And so, tartan’s legacy was set in motion, weaving its future as a symbol for rebellion.
Thirty-six years later, the ban was overturned, but by this point, the material had gone global. Heightened by the loophole clause set out by the British Empire, Scottish soldiers who were willing to fight were allowed to wear tartan, and soldiers were deployed around the world. Soon, tartan garments and patterns were seen en masse. And in England, the adoption of the fabric by those of Scottish sympathies thrust tartan firmly into popular culture, becoming a fashionable statement of self-expression.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Scottish Clans began to claim and create unique tartans of their own, as a symbol of belonging and a cultural identifier. This became a tradition within Scottish culture and a prominent marker in the fabric's backstory.
Fast-forward to more recent times, and tartan’s future was being carved out on and off-stage, in ripped and tattered looks worn by iconic punk band, The Sex Pistols. The fabric became synonymous with punk culture and a defiant middle finger to the establishment, whose adoption and creation of a Royal tartan was met with ripped and repurposed DIY pieces throughout the 1970s.
Its undeniable impact was echoed on the runways of major designers, and in the streets, becoming a signifier of the collective mood of the period. Tartan’s place in subculture was firmly cemented.
Today's story is no different. Tartan continues to be reinvented, ripped up and worn as both a badge of rebellion and a marker of identity. Enter the George Cox Tartan Skipton, our signature Made In England silhouette is emblazoned with the MacLeod tartan, a direct homage to the George Cox family lineage.
A statement of true originality, the Skipton is a 70s silhouette and the flagbearer of subcultural style. For the first time in its design history, it features a fully embossed all-over MacLeod tartan, available in our signature Oxblood and Black. A bold statement of self-expression, and a knowing nod to that unmistakable non-conformist spirit.
Shop the Tartan Skiptons and our new styles below: