Check It Out

By Caroline Tell

From Scottish Kilts to Camden punk, tartan has long been the fabric of choice when tribute is paid to the Queen. Now designers and retailers as diverse as Alexander McQueen and L.L. Bean are indulging in the traditional textile. Kate Spade's wool boot is boxed out in plaid, as is Estee Lauder's jeweled compact, illustrating the evolution of this onetime preppy look. What was once campus chic is now runway cool. Yves Saint Laurent designer Stefano Pilati even featured it for spring. But who better than Burberry, epic old English purveyor of plaid, to square up its new men's fragrance, Burberry London, in a bottle covered with tartan fabric?

1 American Eagle Outfitters cropped peacoat ($119.50, at American Eagle Outfitters or ae.com

2 L.L. Bean Mad Bomber hat ($36, 800-809-7057 or llbean.com

3 Kate Spade Keera boot ($425, katespade.com

4 Yves Saint Laurent cotton canvas jacket and cotton-silk-taffeta blouse and skirt (212-980-2970 or ysl.com

5 Estee Lauder limited-edition jeweled Holiday Plaid compact ($175, only at Neiman Marcus)

6 Burberry London for Men eau de toilette spray (1.7 oz. for $47, 3.3 oz. for $65, at Nordstrom)

7 Ralph Lauren Home Tartan dessert plates ($295 for a set of four, 888-475-7674 or rlhome.polo.com