What Is Buffalo Plaid: All About This Versatile Checkerboard Pattern

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Not too long ago, the buffalo plaid was largely associated with lumberjacks, country-style interiors, or holiday season decor. Not anymore.

This graphic pattern has gone mainstream, showing up just about everywhere and all year round.

So, what makes this bold checkerboard pattern so timeless and ubiquitous? What are its origins? And is it the right type of plaid for you? Read on as we explore this prevalent plaid pattern.

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What is Buffalo Plaid?

There are plenty of plaid patterns out there, and telling one from another can be confusing. A buffalo plaid or check, whatever you choose to call it, has a distinctive checkered pattern formed by two intersecting yarns of different colors.

The most popular colored yarns for buffalo plaid are red and black, but you can find this plaid in other colors, where the chances of one color being black are quite high.

It’s fairly common to mistake buffalo plaid for gingham as both have equal-width stripes in either direction, which isn’t the case in other types of plaid.

But there are some slight differences.

For starters, gingham is a smaller-sized checkerboard pattern made with overlapping stripes. The vertical and horizontal stripes are usually the same color, forming a checkered pattern against a white background.

Buffalo plaid, on the other hand, is a larger-scale pattern with wider stripes and bigger squares. Also, the common color here is black instead of white in gingham’s case.

Although its origins can be traced to 18th-century Scotland, buffalo plaid has become quintessentially American. There’s something about it that says warmth and festivity.

No wonder you see it dominating the decor, clothes, bedding, and table linen during the holiday season.

History of Buffalo Plaid Pattern

Time for a history lesson!

There’s not one but multiple origin stories of the highly recognizable plaid. The most popular one begins in Scotland, with the folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor appearing in portraits sporting a tartan with uncanny similarity to buffalo check.

According to the legend, Jock McCluskey, a descendant of Rob Roy, migrated to North America and settled in Montana. There, he befriended Native Americans and established a trade relationship, often getting goods in exchange for wool blankets and donning his clan’s tartan.

The indigenous groups loved McCluskey’s warm Scottish checkered blankets. These blankets came to be known as “plaid,” derived from the Gaelic word for blanket, “plaide.”

The red and black plaid pattern made its way to Woolrich Woolen Mills in Pennsylvania in the 1830s. There, a designer who had a herd of buffalo put together oversized checks in two-toned colors and called it “Buffalo Plaid.” The unique pattern helped Woolrich stand out in the flannel market.

Another story takes us to the British monarch King George III’s court. The legend says his wife, Queen Charlotte, loved a simple pattern with large squares of equal sizes in either direction.

In fact, she had it grace every piece of furniture in her home. As Queen Charlotte’s favorite pattern, it didn’t take long for buffalo plaid to make its way to the American Colonies.

Why is it Called Buffalo Plaid?

The “plaid” in buffalo plaid is simply because this pattern carries large squares of bold alternating colors, usually red and black. However, the “buffalo” in the name is Woolrich Woolen Mills doing. As it turns out, the company employee who designed the signature Woolrich pattern had a buffalo herd of his own.

Soon, buffalo plaid became synonymous with Woolrich. Their red and black check wool shirts became a huge hit with lumberjacks, hunters, and trappers because of their warmth, fuzziness, and durability.

What Makes Buffalo Plaid So Popular?

Woolrich’s buffalo check shirts became a rage with outdoor wear for their eye-catching looks and durability. Over time, it became the plaid of the holiday season.

Visit your nearest Target store, and you’ll know what we mean. This distinctive pattern dominates all things Christmas, including showing ornaments, wreaths, tablecloths, and matching family pajamas.

The only difference is that you can now find this pattern in a vast array of color combinations besides the traditional red and black yarns.

Despite being around for centuries, buffalo plaid has never gone out of style. It’s only gone more mainstream, from outdoor wear to home decor.

Related Article: 20 Sustainable Home Decor Ideas You'll Love

Is Buffalo Plaid Only for the Holiday Season?

Granted that you’ll be seeing a lot of it during the Christmas season, but you can use buffalo check, wherever you want. Its versatility is what we love the most about this plaid pattern.

It goes as well with rustic country-style spaces as sleek Scandinavian-themed interiors. Its large, color-blocked checks can be used in place of solid colors to brighten up a space.

That’s not all. Buffalo check screams layering bliss, whether in clothes or decor.

Go ahead and team it up with various patterns, colors, and textures - you won't be disappointed!

5 Ways to Add Buffalo Plaid to Your Home

As wintery and Christmassy as it seems, buffalo plaid can be used year-round. If you’re new to plaid home decor, we recommend you start small with decor, small accents, and ecofriendly kitchen products. You’ll be surprised to see the warmth and freshness it can add to a space!

Here are five ways to showcase this timeless pattern in your home during the holiday season and beyond.

1. Table Linen

Incorporate the buffalo plaid as a tabletop decor in the form of plaid napkins, tablecloths, runners, or placements. If you think the classic red and black checks belong to the holiday season or a country cottage, then consider different color combinations like blue and white or red and white.

Depending on the color scheme and furnishings, your buffalo plaid table linen can render both an edgy and sophisticated look.

2. Upholstery Fabric

This is for those who can’t get enough of these large ginghams! Deck up select furniture like wooden chairs and ottomans in this bold plaid and turn them into statement pieces.

When paired with simple, neutral furnishings, this red and black pattern works as a contemporary design element, adding a dose of upscale chic to any space.

Again, you can stick to the traditional black and red combination plaid fabric or opt for Scandinavian white and blues.

3. Plaid Blankets and Pillows

Craving for a cozy cabin vibe? You can’t go wrong with a buffalo plaid blanket!

It blends in with just about any decor or color scheme, adding a hearty dose of pattern. The thing about using this pattern in accessories like blankets and throws is that they add a big personality without overwhelming a space.

If you’re worried about buffalo plaid making your home look too cabin-y, we suggest incorporating it as throw pillows. Unlike gingham, larger-scale buffalo check gives off a more contemporary vibe.

For a touch of elegance and sustainability, consider adding organic cotton throws to your collection. These soft, eco-friendly options pair beautifully with plaid patterns and offer a versatile layer of comfort that’s perfect for any season. Their natural tones and textures balance the boldness of buffalo plaid, creating a harmonious look.

4. Rugs and Door Mats

How about placing this inherently cozy pattern underneath your feet? In a simple room, a checkerboard door mat, area rug, or bedside runner instantly adds rustic country charm without diluting the overall modern feel.

5. Wallpaper

Using buffalo plaid as wallpaper is a more permanent way to add this charming pattern to your home. You can go bold and big by applying the wallpaper to the entire room or playing it safe with an accent wall. If it’s just one wall, add other buffalo plaid elements for a more cohesive look.

Plaid in Organic Cotton Mart’s Collection

Buffalo plaid is the plaid of the moment, with the holiday season just around the corner. And if you love this bright and eye-catching pattern as much as us, there are plenty of ways to add it to your surroundings.

While blankets and clothing are common ways to infuse this checkered charm around you, you can also bring it home as plaid napkins, kitchen towels, table runners, and more.

Our generously sized plaid kitchen towels are made with 100% organic cotton without harsh chemicals and available in a wide range of colors for your beautiful and sustainable home.

Author: Karen Lamar

Karen is the Chief Content Officer at Organic Cotton Mart. She has a Master's Degree in Environmental Science from NC State with a special focus in Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy. Since her High School days, she has been an Environmentalist and was the President of her High School's Environmental Club for 3 years before starting her freshman year at NC State. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of various environment-friendly movements like zero waste, minimalistic living, recycling, and upcycling.

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