Plaid knit: girls' fabric trend, China

By Sharon Tsang, WGSN, 29 November 2013Plaid knit is emerging in the Chinese young girls' market with global and Korean influences, modernising the classic material with bright tones, textures and simplified designs. 

1990s grunge red plaid knit by Tommy Hilfiger

WGSN ANALYSIS

• Relevance: as plaid and tartan patterns emerge on the streets of Tokyo and in the collections of influential international brands, we see inspiring developments for these classic knitted fabric patterns. It's perfect for a play on colour and texture, and set to be a strong trend for the China youth market

• Material: the heritage woven plaid is developed as knitted fabric. Tassel yarn and brushed effects add textural updates. Vivid-coloured and blanket-like versions with boiled wool are spotted at autumn/winter 2014/15 Spinexpo and Intertextile Shanghai 2013: see more from our Autumn/winter 2014/15: Spinexpo Shanghai reports and Autumn/winter 2014/15: Intertextile Shanghai jersey trend analysis. Fine-line designs and checks are also important pattern variations

• Key items: oversized or fitted sweater, long-line cardigan and 90s-influenced shapes. Contrasting sleeves, back panels and rib hems are popular design details to create body-con effects

• Colour: red-based designs remain important for a timeless look, but pop colours such as mint, yellow, pink and dark purple are also matched for fresh combinations, seen from brands such as marc by Marc Jacobs, My Panda and Toga

CLASSIC PLAID AND TARTAN

Le Ciel Bleu autumn/winter 2013 lookbook

Plaid sweater

Cardigan in tartan knit by Glamorous

Lumberyard crew knit by The Critical Slide Society

Plaid knit vest

Plaid cardigan by River Island

Stripes plaid jumper with contrast black trim by Choies

Oversized plaid sweater

Plaid sweater

Le Ciel Bleu autumn/winter 2013 lookbook

COLOURED AND TEXTURED

Knit pullover by My Panda at Isetan Tartan

Zhejiang Xinao Textiles Inc at SPINEXPO 2014/15

TBA fall/winter 2014 lookbook

90s oversized plaid knit jacket

Shandong Binzhou Xinhui Woollen at Intertextile autumn/winter 2014/15

Aimee plaid sweater by marc by Marc Jacobs

Plaid mohair jumper knit by Jordanna Andrew 2013 collection

Source: So-en Magazine, October 2013

Supreme La La fall/winter 2013 lookbook

Todd and Duncan at SPINEXPO autumn/winter 2014/15

James Long for Topman

Shandong Binzhou Xinhui Woollen at Intertextile autumn/winter 2014/15

Knit washed plaid jacquard sweater by Milly

Socks by Isetan Tartan

SIMPLIFIED CHECKS

Shane plaid crew neck sweater by Equipment

Knit pullover by Another Edition

Gray plaid block dress by 3.1 Philip Lim

Tartan knit sweater by Comme des Garçons autumn/winter 2013

Plaid knit outfit by Another Edition

PLAID is something that is trending like crazy over in china and will always be the classic American trend through Hilfigure and Ralph Lauren. The 90’s were a huge hit the plaid and the entire Nirvana and grunge times. No matter who the designer or company may be, they will have a plaid pattern spotted through out there collection or designs. Globally, plaid will be found through Germany, Russia and France without a doubt.