Fashion: Master clan

The Scots were on to something when they wove tartan as their fabric of choice to guard against the freezing Highland chill.

It's thick, woolly and the perfect winter warmer. Which is why year after year designers include it in their winter collections.

This year, there are more checks than you can shake a claymore at. From Christchurch-based Mister's cute tartan suits, to Salasai's feminine plaid blouses to Christian Louboutin's check loafers, it's nigh on impossible to escape the checked trend this winter.

Whether you wear plaid cigarette pants or jeans with Doc Marten boots for a punk vibe, a buttoned-up blouse and pencil skirt for prep appeal, or a checked blazer with a plain T-shirt and jeans at the weekend, tartan is an easy trend to integrate into your wardrobe.

Usually, I would suggest that wearing more than one plaid is only for the brave hearts, but Mister's adorable reversible Gepetto jackets prove there's really no such thing as too much tartan.

And joining the clan doesn't have to be an expensive venture. I'm sure we would all love to buy the designer pieces on this page, but I realise that's not in everyone's budget. In which case, consider these items for inspiration while you get your thrift on.

Because tartan comes up almost every winter, there's often plenty of it in vintage stores and charity shops across the nation. Heck, if you're really crafty, you could buy one of those old woollen, tartan blankets, cut it up and sew it into whatever you like! Regardless of how you do it, this winter is the perfect time to tartan up. Go on, do Connor McLeod, of the clan McLeod, proud.