Did you know (you might of know this already) that there is an actual day called “Plaidurday” on First Friday of October (October 4th,2024) that is a worldwide celebration of all things….PLAID!!! Yes friends, the world is a wonderful place.
POST UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2024
Now to get my mind ready for all things plaid I have been looking for lots of vintage plaid inspiration online and boy there are tons (vintage ads, vintage fashions, vintage items & more). Shall we see what I found?
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.
Vintage Plaid Party Time -Vintage Ads, Vintage Fashions & More!
Vintage “Plaid” Advertising & Images
Pendleton is the ultimate “Plaid” clothing line as seen in these 3 ads below.
While not an outfit this blanket is still a Pendleton and looks super cozy. I’m a bit confused on the “Robe-in-a-Bag” tagline though, does this not look like a blanket and not a robe in the traditional sense?
1944 Teen girl wearing blue jeans and of course PLAID! Does she not look fantastic? Everything about this relaxed outfit is pretty cool (minus the smoking part, but that is the time). I really like the radio as well, that is on my wish list when I have a bigger home.
Every Teen Girls Dream in 1947-The “Scot-Trot”.
1940s Teen Girls in wool, plaid skirts and saddle shoes. This might be the look I end up channeling for the party. Can I just say how much I LOVE this photo!
Further Reading: Vintage Photos of People Wearing Saddle Shoes
Fashion Do’s & Don’t’s for Short Girls from the 1940s featuring an adorable plaid skirt in the “Do” side.
The plaid dress in this 1940s vintage image is beautiful and the ladies are equally stunning. Fantastic 1940s photo!
What stylish 1950s ladies, I must say.
Don’t worry men, there is lots of plaid to go around, even when you go swimming. -1950s vintage ad-
Or when your just hanging out, like these McGregor ads show. -1950s vintage ad-
I cannot have a post on plaid without mentioning-Scotch Tape, the king of plaid packaging!
How about a Plaid Fridge?? Yes a Plaid Fridge! Wow that is a lot of plaid in one area, if I do say so myself. Cool International Harvester 1950s ad.
Further Reading: Vintage Refrigerator Advertisements 1920’s – 1950’s
Vintage Plaid Fashions For Sale OR To Inspire
(updated September 2024)
1950s / 1960s lovely Teena Paige Swing Dress in a wintery plaid print of white, black and red. Fitted bodice with a high collarless rounded neck and cute half sleeves with bell cuffs).
Source: Etsy – SartorialMatters
This is a sweet and simple day dress from the 1950s. Crisp cotton in vibrant green and blue plaid.
Source: Etsy
1950s RR Henderson Ltd. vintage plaid pencil skirt. I love the pocket detail.
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1950s / 1960s style mid-century yellow green blue plaid 3/4 sleeve shirtwaist dress.
Source: Etsy
1950s Vintage Plaid Sundress. The plaid is a pretty blues, yellow and green’s. Such a lovely vintage dress!
Source: Etsy
Vintage 1950s White Red Black Plaid Fit & Flare Dress. Oh so freaking cute!
Source: Etsy
1950s shirtwaist dress in a very lovely weight cotton twill material. This vintage dress features a blue and white plaid print throughout.
Source: Etsy
1950s plaid dress // Harvest Gold vintage yellow plaid sundress. Those pockets!
Source: Etsy
1960s Plaid Dress, PERFECT for Summer Fun!
Source: Etsy
Adorable late 50s early 60s Plaid cotton swimsuit. Blue and white plaid with folded over cotton waffle piqué sweetheart neckline. Matching white halter strap that buttons on the left side.
Source: Etsy
I adore this pink plaid dress from the 1950s.
Source: Etsy
Gorgeous red cotton shirtwaist dress from the 1950s. Label: McMullen.
Source: Etsy
Here is a similar modern day version of the Vintage 1950s dress above, but for sale in various sizes from Unique Vintage.
September 2023 Update: This dress is no longer available but I have linked you to all the fun plaid print dresses & outfits available at Unique Vintage.
1940s / 1950s Pendleton. This jacket features a cozy blue and burnt orange/brown colourway in a plaid pattern and the classic 49er design.
Source: Etsy
1940s Pendleton 49er wool jacket.
Source: Etsy
For the gentlemen in your life (or maybe yourself)- A plaid tie from the 1940s. Isn’t it marvelous?
Source: Etsy
Other Fun Plaid Items!
Vintage 1950s Scrapbook with a women’s Face wearing a Scottish Tam, Plaid Scarf and Red Jacket. CUTE!
Source: Etsy
Beautiful vintage 1953 plaid lunchbox.
Source: Etsy
For the Kitchen- A 1950s turquoise plaid fruit tablecloth- cotton.
Source: Etsy
1940s red plaid umbrella, purple green stripes, clear Lucite handle, wooden, jewel tones. So PRETTY!
Source: Etsy
1950s Plaid Evening Gown…STUNNING!!! (not sure why this is down here in the “other” but oh well LOL!)
Lastly to end this post I wanted to share a wonderful photo of my husband and our new Tailor friend Mister Xe we met while in Hoi An in Vietnam in 2013. Aren’t they a cute pair?! hehehe
QUESTION TIME: Do you love plaid as much as the Vintage Inn? Or is it a pattern you stay away from?
Do you love vintage Fall fashions? Then take a look at my always updated Etsy Collection of Fall Fashions from the 1920s-1960s that you can purchase right now.
Further Reading:
- Vintage Fall / Autumn 1920s-1960s Blog Posts (Archived)
- Vintage Fashions 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Liz 🙂
Ooooohh, sensationally fun and well put together post, dear Liz! I’m a huge plaid fan, happily sporting it all year round (seriously). In the colder months I gravitate towards darker plaids, such as those with navy, pine, red, burgundy or black at their core and in the summer my lighter shades – pinks, purples, aquas, etc – come out to play. I couldn’t imagine my wardrobe without plaid in it at this point. It’s a truly timeless pattern that works wonders in vintage and more contemporary outfits alike, while also being a cinch to find just about anywhere clothing is sold. What’s not to adore about it? 🙂
Big hugs & happy Friday wishes,
♥ Jessica
Head exploding with plaid goodness! Love the teens in front of the tree.
I can’t believe I wasn’t already following you on instagram! Fixed that! I love the outfit you ended up with.
Lovely post. I have always been partial to Black Watch tartan, since my grandfather was in the Black Watch in WWI, and my ancestry is half Scottish. But I actually don’t have much plaid in my wardrobe, apart from scarves and some tartan flats I recently bought. This post is definitely making me want some more! I love that swimsuit especially. Shame it’s so small!
I <3 plaid! Do you have any links to pictures of ladies on bikes in a plaid skirt? 40s or 50s? I have retro vintage bike and want to dress look. Thanks!
I don’t have anything on hand without some research. Are you on Pinterest? There is loads of images on there that would most likely fit what you are looking for. I would expand your search to adding “1940s or 1950s Vintage Style”. There are lots of vintage reproduction companies and ladies who wear those clothes that do images like the one you are looking for.
Have fun putting together your looks!