Outfit Post: Tartan pants- Odjevna kombinacija : karirane hlače

Hello dear readers! In this post, I'll share an outfit that features a pair of tartan print trousers (or pants). This outfit is absolutely sustainable, as all clothing items in it are either vintage, second hand or handmade. Tartan and plaid are prints that have a special place in my heart. 

 I'm not Scottish, but wearing tartan makes me feel like a  brave heart ( reference to the movie intended). Why? I guess because wearing tartan can be a challenge especially if you want to dress it up. Tartan will definitely not make you look slimmer  but in may make you look fabulous if you give it a chance. If not, you can always chose this pattern for accessories. 

You might have noticed that I have a special place in my heart for tartan. What to say about the rest of the outfit? 3 words that make me happy: leather, turtleneck and tartan.

Well, this long coat is a faux leather piece and so is the belt. Turtleneck are my stemple piece and this one is vintage. This red cap was gifted to me, and if I recall well  it was hand made. Finally, this pair of trousers was 'borrowed' from my husband's clothes. Don't you love when clothes tell a story? We need to forget fast fashion and focus on what we have in our closets. 

Sustainable fashion matters...and that is why in 2025 I have decided to update this post originally published in 2013. I'm going to update it with collages showing you more ways to style this pair of tartan trousers. Originally, I published only one outfit, but when updating this post I decided to share more information, links and photography- all in effort to make sustainable fashion more easily accessible and understandable. 

40 WAYS TO WEAR A PAIR OF LEATHER BROWN BOOTS

A PAIR OF LEATHER BROWN BOOTS - bought in Leonardo store in 2012! 

Who knows how many times I have worn them? I searched my blog arhives and I came up with 40 confirmed wears.

1& 2) --- See two different ways I wore them in 2022, one outfit features these boots worn with black leggings, a black skater skirt, a pink cardi and a grey coat and the other worn with jeans, a camel coat, a pink t-shirt and a grey blazer.

3) See how I wore this pair of boots with a blue coat, a colourful scarf, a diy headpiece and blue jeans for a visit to Goranci in 2014. 

4) See how I wore these boots with a black suit and a white shirt in this post from 2019.

5) See how I wore these brown leather boots with a magenta coat, a pair of blue jeans and a leather basketball cap in 2018.

 See how I wore them seven different ways in this post from 2016 focused on styling boots in Winter and published in 2016.

6) here- brown boots worn with a blue dress, green scarf and a faux leather brown coat in 2014.

7) here - brown boots worn with a blue scarf, a vintage black blazer with gold threads and dusty pink skirt in a post published in 2014. 

8) here- brown boots worn with black jeans from Mango and a vintage leather jacket in 2014.

9) here- brown boots worn with blue jeans, a turtleneck dress, a leather jacket and a folklore bag in 2015.

10) here- worn with grey jeans, a blue turtleneck, and a white hand painted vintage jacket in 2014.

11)  See how I wore these brown boots with a printed t-shirt, a brown cord jacket, a yellow bag, a green tartan ski jacket and a mini skirt in 2014.

12) See how I wore these brown boots with a yellow tartan skirt and a green tartan jacket in 2014.

13) See how I wore these brown boots with a seaweed green dress, black leggings and a knit pink cardigan in 2014.

14) See how I wore these brown boots with a red blazer, a pair of dark grey trousers and a printed t-shirt in 2014.

15) See how I wore these brown boots with a black puffer and a pair of brown striped trousers in 2013. 

16 ) See how I wore these brown boots with a vintage pink dress and a black coat in 2013.

17) See how I styled these brown boots with a yellow tartan mini, a vintage pink sweater with a double collar vintage shirt layered underneath and a white faux leather jacket in 2013.

18) See how I styled these brown boots with a vintage pleated midi skirt and a cropped black and purple jacket in 2013. 

19) See how I styled these brown boots with a DIY butterfly necklace, brown striped pants and a vintage brown cord jacket in 2013 and here with a very similar combo 20) but styled with a vintage open neck grey t-shirt.

21) See how I styled these brown boots with flared jeans, a cartoon printed t-shirt, a black shirt, a denim jacket and a mustard yellow bag in 2013.

22) See how I styled these brown boots with leopard leggings, a long black cardigan and a faux leather white jacket in 2013.

23) See how I styled these brown boots with navy flared trousers and a magenta coat and in another outfit 24) with a pattern turtleneck, a black blazer,  black cord jeans and a magenta coat in 2020

25 ) See how I styled these brown boots with wide navy trousers, a burgundy faux leather jacket and a striped shirt in 2020

26) See how I styled these brown boots with jeans, a brown long leather jacket with a faux fur hoodie, an overused tartan scarf, and a camel bag in 2019.

27) See how I styled these brown boots with a pair of brown striped flared pants, a long black denim jacket, a faux fur scarf and a knit beanie in 2013.

28) See how I styled these brown boots with a camel coat, an olive green vest and navy trousers in 2021.

29) See how I styled these brown boots with flared washed out jeans, a white shirt and a grey coat in 2021 when I also shared 30) this styling featuring the same boots and jeans, but a different black coat.

31) See how I styled these brown boots with a skater dress, black leg warmers and a camel coat in 2021.

32) See how I styled these brown boots with a peplum dress, a burgundy faux leather jacket, a black coat and leggings in 2020.

33) See how I styled these brown boots with a grey suit (blazer and pants) in 2020.

34) See how I styled these brown boots with straight cut jeans, a purple sweater with a white shirt layered underneath and an aviator jacket on top in 2020.

35) See how I styled these brown boots with a vintage pepita blazer, a statement belt, vintage flared jeans and a sweater dress in 2013.

36) See how I styled these brown boots with a dark navy vintage mini skirt, a striped top and a long pink cardigan in 2013.

37) See how I styled these brown boots with a black turtleneck, a long black faux leather coat, a black statement belt, a red beanie and a pair of tartan trousers in 2013.

38) See how I styled these brown boots with a blue and white vintage shirt, blue jeans, and a long beige puffer with a hoodie in 2013.

39 - 40)  Two outfits I shared in 2025, one is composed out of a blue jumpsuit and brown coat, the other from a camel coat paired with black flared leggings.

41) Brown boots worn with straight cut jeans, a white ruffled tunics and a long floral cardigan i  2022.

Above you can see the pattern more in more detail. It's predominately grey tartan pattern with some red touches. As you can notice, I wore a red crocheted hat that matched those red details. I also wore a number of items I will continue to wear for years to come (and I'm writing this from the perspective of future Ivana now, the one that put in the effort to updating this post).

So, let's break down this outfit. How these clothing items can be worn again or reworn.

THIS LONG FAUX LEATHER COAT that was old and second hand to start with served me well for years, but I have actually upcycled it eventually turning it into a number of hand made necklaces, bracelets and other things. 

You can read more about that by following the link below:

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-diy-statement-faux-leather-necklace.html

...and more information from that post:

My history of making necklaces goes way back to my early teenage years and to some extent even to my childhood, but today we shall speak only of faux leather necklaces. Honestly, I would probably need a book  sized post if I were to talk of all the ways I have made necklaces over the years, so let's limit the subject somewhat for the sake of brevity. I started making necklaces from recycled leather back in 2014 and documented it on my blog a number of times. What I have been using to make these faux leather necklaces hasn't changed ever since- I got all the material I needed from a second hand faux leather coat! In fact, you had the chance to  see me wear it back in 2013. This faux leather coat was second hand so it was sustainable to start with. Actually, the coat was one of the pieces left over after a clothes fundraising charity thing I organized with friends back in 2011.  Anyhow, I wore this coat until it was all worn out- and then I made tons of necklaces from it. What is more, I only used the bottom of the coat and I might convert the top into a cropped jacket some day- if I manage to find. I misplaced the top of the coat at some point in time, but I digress.

You could say this faux leather coat was recycled to perfection. I cannot believe how many necklaces, belts and brooches I was able to make from it over the years.  One of the benefits of having a fashion blog is to able to keep track of these things. I tend to forgot these little DIY projects of mine. When I browsed my archives, I was truly surprised not just by how many necklaces I have been able to made from this coat over the years but how durable they were. I have made alterations on some of them recently (like this one). The alterations were made either because the sewing elastics I used were worn out (because they were probably super old when I used them in the first place) or because I wanted to upgrade the design. This necklace being an example of both, I'm really happy to show you how this alternation turned out. 

See another way to style this coat HERE in 2013 and HERE in 2012! 

5 POSTS ABOUT MOSTAR CITY CENTRE, OLD TOWN & OLD BRIDGE

1. https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/06/visit-old-city-centre-and-old-bridge-in.html

2. https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/10/new-outfits.html

3. https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2021/04/outfits-4-being-tourist-in-mostar.html

4. https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2019/04/how-to-wear-levis-jeans-when-spring-is.html

5. https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2018/03/pencil-drawing-making-of-outfit-post.html

TWO MORE AMAZING DESTINATIONS NEAR MOSTAR: BUNA AND RUJIŠTE

BUNA- A GREEN OASIS NEAR MOSTAR 

April 6th, 2013

November 28th, 2016

May 16th, 2017

June 10th, 2018

January 24th, 2018

May 18th, 2018

March 20th, 2019

March 27th, 2019

September 14th, 2019 

RUJIŠTE- NICKNAMED HERZEGOVIAN HIMALAYA

1. RUJIŠTE (TRAVEL POST) 2013

2. VISIT RUJIŠTE, A MOUNTAIN OASIS NEAR MOSTAR (A SUMMER VISIT 2019)

3. WINTER DESTINATIONS HERZEGOVINA: MOUNTAIN PRENJ RUJIŠTE 2019

4. TRYING OUT A NEW HIKING TRACK, RUJIŠTE, HERZEGOVINA 2019

5. WINTER FAIRY TALE AT HOTEL SNJEZNA KUCA , RUJIŠTE, PRENJ MOUNTAIN 2020

6. SUMMER VISIT TO RUJIŠTE (2020)

MORE POSTS ABOUT MOSTAR CITY 

RECENT  SPANISH SQUARE MOSTAR HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MOSTAR ! FAREWELL TO SUMMER FROM MOSTAR CITY  2018 STREET ART MOSTAR , 2016 STREET ART , 2021 STREET ART and also here , here and here.   STROLLING MOSTAR CITY 2021  

OLDER  1. You can see Mostar from the bird perspective in my previous posts (here, here and here). 2. One of my favourite streets in Mostar here and here. 3. Musala bridge (also known under its old name Tito's bridge here and here) 4. You can see photographs of Mostar's Catholic cathedral here.5. You can see images of Mostar and its famous Nertva river here, here and here. 6. You can see the surrounds of one of its most iconic catholic churches here.7. You can see both photographs of old bridge and my drawing of it here. 8. Another one of my favourites when it comes to streets here. 9. You can see photographs of Croatian cultural centre/theater here , here , here , here and here. 10. You can see photographs of the main city park here here, here, here and here.

11. You can see images of Spanish square here, here , here , here and here. 12. You can see photographs of Custom's bridge here and here. 13. You can see photographs of the new bridge here and here. 14. A few photographs from old city centre (2018) here. 15. What to wear for sightseeing Mostar in summer here.

16. This post is focused on 7 outfits I wore but you can see many of Mostar's attractions there as well. I suppose the same can be said for most of my outfit posts. 17. Mostar as an Easter destination (2019) here.

18. Mostar dinning and cafe recommendations here. 19. Hiking options in Mostar here. 20. My drawing of Mostar old bridge here. 21. University campus in Mostar here. 22. How I have fallen in love with Mostar here.

POST UPDATE 2024- VISIT ARTIFICIAL LAKE MOSTAR -https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/08/sights-to-see-places-to-visit.html

LET ME SHOW YOU HOW I'M A TURIST IN MY OWN TOWN

EXPLORE MOSTAR WITH ME

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2015/11/travelling-is-state-of-mind-putovanje.html

EXPERIENCE SUMMER IN MOSTAR 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2013/06/summer-sunday-outfit-post-ljetna.html

EXPERIENCE MOSTAR AND BUNA 

Speaking of Mostar, the capital of Herzegovina, one shouldn't forget other visit worthy locations in this region. Herzegovina is simply perfect. I will link a few up for those who might be interested, so don't worry.

WHAT TO SEE IN HERZEGOVINA? THESE TWO FORTRESSES AND NATIONAL PARKS- 2023 //AMAZING CITIES TO VISIT IN HERZEGOVINA-2019  // PROTECTED AREAS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA- 2019

MORE TARTAN INFORMATION CITED FROM BRITANNICA 

tartan, cross-checkered repeating pattern (or “sett”) of different coloured bands, stripes, or lines of definite width and sequence, woven into woolen cloth (sometimes with silk added). Although such patterns have existed for centuries in many cultures, they have come to be regarded as peculiarly Scottish and a quasi-heraldic Scottish family or clan emblem. Most clans have had but one tartan. When it was bright, a second, muted pattern called a hunting sett (often gray-based) was used for everyday wear on the moors and in the mountains.

Great significance and antiquity were long claimed for many Scottish family or clan tartans, but the meagre references to “tartan” that can be gleaned from 15th- and 16th-century writings are somewhat dubious. Tartans are better dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. From the earliest known painted representation of the Highland dress, John Michael Wright’s Highland Chieftain, all that can be learned is that a small cross-check, or “tartan,” pattern was adapted to use in kilt, plaid, and hose about 1660. The chieftain is believed to be a Campbell, but the pattern that he wears bears no resemblance to that of any Campbell tartan (or any other established tartan) of today. The 18th century does provide a substantial number of portraits forming a reliable pictorial record of some tartans, but there is still little consistency; and portraits dating from the latter half of the 18th century show the Highland gentleman wearing such tartans as pleased him in colour and design, including different garments of unrelated tartans.

Highland dress and the tartan were proscribed after the Jacobite uprising of 1745 (i.e., 1746–82). However, the Highland regiments of the late 18th century wore tartan; therefore, uniform military tartans came to be designed. The largely military revival of the tartan seems to have reached a peak during the state visit of George IV to Edinburgh in 1822. The following three decades saw undiminished interest and produced an imaginative and systematic recording of “clan tartans.” Intermittent efforts to denigrate this systematization as mere myth-making have been futile: 200 years of the combined efforts of artists, writers, publishers, manufacturers, and tailors have created a tradition and firmly established the tartan as a Scottish badge.






*tar·tan ¹  (tärtn)

n.

1.

a. Any of numerous textile patterns consisting of stripes of varying widths and colors crossed at right angles against a solid background, each forming a distinctive design worn by the members of a Scottish clan.

b. A twilled wool fabric or garment having such a pattern.

2. A plaid fabric.

---

[Middle English tartane, possibly from Old French tiretaine, linsey-woolsey, probably from tiret, a kind of cloth, from tire, silk cloth, from Latin Tyrius, Tyrian (cloth), from Tyrus, Tyre.]

* from online English dictionary

A sada po naški ( najkraće moguće): dolčevita, karirano i koža imaju za posljedicu sretnu mene:) Nisam iz Škotske (odakle ovaj uzorak potječe), ali u njemu se uvijek osjećam hrabro. (kao ekipa iz filma Hrabro srce) Možda zato jer kombinirati karirani uzorak može biti pravi izazov. Nije baš da će vas ovaj uzorak učiniti mršavijim, ali mislim da može izgledati sjajno ako mu pružite prigodu. Moguće ga je uvijek nositi i u obliku modnih dodataka (nakit, šal itd...) ali ja ga volim baš u obliku odjeće, ne samo modnih dodataka.

THE HISTORY OF TARTAN  (cited from wikipedia)

 Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan [ˈpɾʲɛxkən]) is a patterned cloth consisting of crossing horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, forming repeating symmetrical patterns known as setts. Originating in woven wool, tartan is most strongly associated with Scotland, where it has been used for centuries in traditional clothing such as the kilt. Historically, specific tartans were linked to Scottish clans, families, or regions, with patterns and colours derived from local dyes. The earliest surviving samples of tartan-style cloth are around 3,000 years old and were discovered in Xinjiang, China.

Tartan became a symbol of Scottish identity, particularly after the 16th century, despite bans following the Jacobite rising of 1745 under the Dress Act 1746. The 19th-century Highland Revival popularized tartan globally, associating it with Highland dress and the Scottish diaspora. Today, tartan is used worldwide in clothing, accessories, and design, transcending its traditional roots. Modern tartans are registered for organisations, individuals, and commemorative purposes, with thousands of designs in the Scottish Register of Tartans.

While often linked to Scottish heritage, tartans exist in other cultures, such as Africa, East and South Asia, and Eastern Europe. They also serve institutional roles, like military uniforms and corporate branding. Tartan patterns vary in complexity, from simple two-colour designs to intricate motifs with over twenty hues. Colours historically derived from natural dyes, such as lichens and alder bark, are now produced synthetically.

The English and Scots word tartan is possibly derived from French tiretaine meaning 'linsey-woolsey cloth'.^[1][2][3] Other hypotheses are that it derives from Scottish Gaelic tarsainn or tarsuinn, meaning 'across' or 'crossing over';^[2][3] or from French tartarin or tartaryn (occurring in 1454 spelled tartyn)^[4] meaning 'Tartar cloth'.^[1] It is unrelated to the superficially similar word tarlatan, which refers to a very open-weave muslin similar to cheesecloth. Tartan is both a mass noun ("12 metres of tartan") and a count noun ("12 different tartans").

Today, tartan refers to coloured patterns, though originally did not have to be made up of a pattern at all, as it referred to the type of weave; as late as the 1820s, some tartan cloth was described as "plain coloured ... without pattern".^[5][6] Patterned cloth from the Gaelic-speaking Scottish Highlands was called breacan, meaning 'many colours'. Over time, the meanings of tartan and breacan were combined to describe a certain type of pattern on a certain type of cloth.^[6]

The pattern of a particular tartan is called its sett. The sett is made up of a series of lines at specific widths which cross at right angles and blend into each other;^[6] the longer term setting is occasionally used.^[7] Sett can refer to either the minimal visual presentation of the complete tartan pattern or to a textual representation of it (in a thread count).^[6]

Today tartan is used more generally to describe the pattern, not limited to textiles, appearing on media such as paper, plastics, packaging, and wall coverings.^{[8][6][9][10]}

In North America, the term plaid is commonly used to refer to tartan.^{[11][12][13][a]} Plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide meaning 'blanket',^[16][b] was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan,^[c] which could be worn several ways: the belted plaid (breacan féile) or "great kilt" which preceded the modern kilt; the arisaid (earasaid), a large shawl that could be wrapped into a dress; and several types of shoulder cape, such as the full plaid and fly plaid. In time, plaid was used to describe blankets themselves.^[12] In former times, the term plaiding^[20] or pladding^[21] was sometimes used to refer to tartan cloth.

The English and Scots word tartan is possibly derived from French tiretaine meaning 'linsey-woolsey cloth'.^[1][2][3] Other hypotheses are that it derives from Scottish Gaelic tarsainn or tarsuinn, meaning 'across' or 'crossing over';^[2][3] or from French tartarin or tartaryn (occurring in 1454 spelled tartyn)^[4] meaning 'Tartar cloth'.^[1] It is unrelated to the superficially similar word tarlatan, which refers to a very open-weave muslin similar to cheesecloth. Tartan is both a mass noun ("12 metres of tartan") and a count noun ("12 different tartans").

Today, tartan refers to coloured patterns, though originally did not have to be made up of a pattern at all, as it referred to the type of weave; as late as the 1820s, some tartan cloth was described as "plain coloured ... without pattern".^[5][6] Patterned cloth from the Gaelic-speaking Scottish Highlands was called breacan, meaning 'many colours'. Over time, the meanings of tartan and breacan were combined to describe a certain type of pattern on a certain type of cloth.^[6]

The pattern of a particular tartan is called its sett. The sett is made up of a series of lines at specific widths which cross at right angles and blend into each other;^[6] the longer term setting is occasionally used.^[7] Sett can refer to either the minimal visual presentation of the complete tartan pattern or to a textual representation of it (in a thread count).^[6]

Today tartan is used more generally to describe the pattern, not limited to textiles, appearing on media such as paper, plastics, packaging, and wall coverings.^{[8][6][9][10]}

In North America, the term plaid is commonly used to refer to tartan.^{[11][12][13][a]} Plaid, derived from the Scottish Gaelic plaide meaning 'blanket',^[16][b] was first used of any rectangular garment, sometimes made up of tartan,^[c] which could be worn several ways: the belted plaid (breacan féile) or "great kilt" which preceded the modern kilt; the arisaid (earasaid), a large shawl that could be wrapped into a dress; and several types of shoulder cape, such as the full plaid and fly plaid. In time, plaid was used to describe blankets themselves.^[12] In former times, the term plaiding^[20] or pladding^[21] was sometimes used to refer to tartan cloth.

Thank you for visiting! 

AND IF YOU'RE NEW TO MY BLOG....

If you're new to my blog I'm a Croatian blogger focused on art, literature, sustainable fashion and travel. I'm originally from Split but I've worked lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina for many years now, so  I often write about this beautiful country as well. Blogging isn't my primary profession, I'm a language teacher actually! However, I love blogging and I take it pretty seriously.