How to Use tartan in a Sentence

tartan

noun
  • Bright tartan kilts were styled over pants.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Jan. 2026
  • But David upped the ante with his tartan and his knees.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Yet the pub is draped in tartan and sits within the golf course clubhouse.
    — Shonda Talerico Dudlicek, Elgin Courier-News, 6 July 2018
  • This one has an old-fashioned pattern of brown-and-green tartan.
    — Steven Strogatz, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2018
  • Check out fall’s tartan-skirt trend, and shop all of our favorites, below.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2021
  • Is she prepared for the amount of tartan likely to be on display?
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Don your best tartan and get ready to dive back into Outlander.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Each time the girls wore pink tartan dresses and white tights and the boys wore dark suits with white shirts and red ties.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2018
  • This fragrant wreath can last up to a year and makes a statement with its tartan ribbon.
    — Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2023
  • These Hanes tartan boxers for men, sold as a five-pack, tick all those boxes.
    — Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 13 Dec. 2022
  • To finish out the look, Smith wore a green tartan headpiece and walked with a large stick.
    — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
  • Choose from gingham, tartan, and buffalo check, or a mix of plaids to play with scale.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Ava wore a tartan coat and white crossbody bag over a crewneck tee, black jeans and platform booties.
    — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2018
  • There are windowpane plaids and prince-of-wales checks, tartans and houndstooths.
    — Sharon Graubard, courant.com, 15 Aug. 2019
  • Add a pop of color with a red bow in tartan or gingham patterns to complete the look.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
  • The classic tartan print is a timeless pattern, so plan to keep this set for many more winters.
    — John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Their signature tartan plaid is yellow and black.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Cover your presents in kraft paper, and tie them up with a ribbon of your favorite red and green tartan.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023
  • Red blazers with matching tartan ties and miniskirts shorter than the show’s plotlines were worn by all.
    — Ana Escalante, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Oct. 2021
  • Thrasher donned a County Louth tartan for the event.
    — Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • From tartan skirts and fringed pullovers to sweaters adorned with delightful pom-poms, there's almost too much to choose from.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Marie Claire, 30 Sep. 2019
  • At the same time, tartans, tweeds, and checks have started to permeate home design.
    — Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
  • These bold pieces were styled alongside suede fringe jackets, mixed media wool coats and tartan waistcoats.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Think blue and red tartan jackets worn over gauzy tiered skirts, plenty of floral prints, and of course, a wealth of good boots.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2020
  • Their oversized tartan coats bring a bold, countryside-meets-city vibe to the season’s trends.
    — Julie Loffredi, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Don’t be afraid to bring plaid in to your tablescape too; table linens are a fun way of adding a chic tartan look to your table.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2025
  • At noon, guests can see the welcoming ceremonies with pipe and drum bands and a parade of tartans.
    — Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Around her neck, a wide tartan scarf played up the cheery look, while her sleek black leather gloves kept her warm during the outdoor visit.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 8 Dec. 2020
  • The tartan jacket was a bit like a Harrington, which is a jacket that the mods used to wear.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 11 May 2024
  • Its line of throws also exhibits a taste for tartan, buffalo check, and shadow plaid.
    — Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tartan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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