Make a statement with checks. How to style your Highland Tweeds muffler

Checks are a winter classic. Highland Tweeds, a long-time favorite at ZUTTO, could well be called the epitome of that tradition, with mufflers and stoles that showcase the traditional beauty of tartan check. That said, even if it is a classic, some of you may feel a little hesitant about wearing a patterned piece. This time, to help you find a check that suits you, we introduce ZUTTO's popular patterns and suggest ways to pair them with outerwear.

The ideal muffler: Highland Tweeds

Highland Tweeds is a premium line born from the British textile maker Abraham Moon & Sons Ltd. Since its founding in 1837, the company's greatest strength has been producing every step of the process consistently at the same mill.

When it was first founded, the company sold textiles woven locally, and history shows that it went on to export not only within Britain but also to Japan as early as the 1890s. The current mill began operating in the early 1900s, and it carries out dyeing, blending, spinning and weaving all in one continuous process.

All of the raw wool, sourced from South Africa and New Zealand, comes from quality-controlled ranches. At the mill in Guiseley, England, this raw wool is carefully washed and combed, and strict standards are applied from the raw material stage onward so that the impurity content is kept to 0.03% or less, maintaining high quality throughout.

The raw wool is dyed based on more than 500 color samples. Rather than simply dyeing the wool a single color, the mill combines yarns of different colors to create the beautiful tartan checks we see in the finished pieces. The check patterns used in their products are officially registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority, and both the traditional patterns and the more contemporary designs suited to modern tastes are highly regarded around the world.

You can see the production process here.

Tartan check: changing the impression

Tartan check is a type of woven fabric made from wool yarn dyed in various colors and woven in a twill weave. It is the general term for the plaid patterns created by crossing lines of differing thickness. Each Highland Tweeds tartan check varies slightly in the thickness of its lines and the size of its grid, as well as in the colors used, so a single muffler or stole can give an entirely different impression—and that variety is part of its charm.

Let's take a closer look at these differences by picking out four check patterns that are especially popular at ZUTTO.

① Muffler DRESS GREY STEWART

This narrower muffler style is easy for both men and women to wear. Black lines on an off-white ground make for a simple yet all-purpose pattern that suits any style or occasion. The check known as dress tartan was originally created for formal wear. Because the design is so simple, the check itself really stands out.

② Stole Royal Stewart

The Royal Stewart stole, with its tartan check of green and blue on red, has a festive quality that brings Christmas to mind. Simply draping this large stole over your shoulders lends warmth and a striking presence. This is likely the pattern and color combination that many people picture when they think of tartan check.

③ Stole Black Watch

This pattern gives off a far more subdued air than any of the others. Named "Black Watch," it was originally created for a British regiment. The balance of deep, rich colors lends any outfit an elegant finish.

④ Stole NATURAL DRESS STEWART

True to its name, this pattern has a distinctly natural feel, with a brown check set against a white base. The check, made up of gentle, soft colors, has a delicate, feminine air, and the white ground helps bring out its gentle mood.

The relationship between base color and tartan check

Although the pattern is the distinctive feature of Highland Tweeds mufflers and stoles, it is the base color that makes up the largest portion of their visual impact. Many pieces are designed so that the base color further brings out the beauty of the tartan check. Next, let's look at the effect of these base colors.

A color for every generation, one you can wear for years to come: beige tones

Beige-based pieces suit almost everyone naturally. One of the great things about beige is how easily it pairs with other colors, whether red, white, black or yellow. Beige tones lend a warm impression, and this shade is also a great choice when you're unsure what to pick as a gift.

[Special order] Stole CAMEL STEWART

A stole specially commissioned by ZUTTO based on a camel color. Tartan checks with a large expanse of white are actually quite rare to find elsewhere. Pairing it with clothes in similar tones lets the red and white stand out beautifully, while combining it with darker, contrasting colors also has the effect of drawing the eye.

Muffler NEWBY OLIVE

The Muffler NEWBY OLIVE, with its beige tone shifted closer to yellow, is a piece that feels brighter than other beige-based items. It features a tartan check where yellow, navy, and red lines regularly form squares, and its expression changes depending on how you wrap or tie it. It's a shade that men can also wear as a single accent point.

An accent that adds charm and warmth. Reds

Red-toned mufflers and stoles bring a touch of brightness to winter, when we tend to wear darker clothing. The tartan check stands out beautifully, evoking the storied tradition of British culture. Since this color can take center stage on its own, we also recommend building your outfit around a muffler or stole.

[Special Order] Stole MACDONALD

You might think this uses the same pattern as the ROYAL STEWART introduced earlier, but here the tartan check features deep green and blue with red arranged throughout. The MACDONALD clan, said to have held power over the islands to the west of Scotland, is associated with a tartan featuring thin red lattice lines. This large-format stole, specially commissioned by ZUTTO, has a vividness that catches the eye the moment you put it on.

Muffler PARCEVAL CERISE

This piece is built around pink and brown tones. Red-toned shades pair especially well with brown, each color bringing out the best in the other. Even a fluorescent-pink-like hue is tempered by the brown, resulting in a combination that adult women can wear without hesitation, avoiding anything too flashy. There's a certain cuteness to it, reminiscent of a chocolate cake topped with fruit—a muffler worth choosing when you want to add one more piece beyond your everyday staples.

[Special Order] Stole GREY THOMPSON

GREY THOMPSON, with its gray base accented by touches of red, is a quintessential tartan check also adopted by well-known brands. Compared to other patterns, the lines here are arranged relatively thick, giving the check itself a strong visual impact. It's a unisex choice suitable for a wide range of age groups.

Easy to pair with more polished outfits. Greens

For those who tend to shy away from patterns, we recommend a piece in green tones. By deliberately choosing a cool color, it pairs easily with the black or beige outerwear you likely already own, while avoiding a childish look. It's also a shade that comes in handy when dressing up for an outing.

Stole Muted Blue Stewart

Muted Blue Stewart, with its off-white base gradating into deep blue, brown, green, and yellow, is an elegant piece. The balance of green with off-white and brown also gives it a sense of warmth. It suits both a simple long coat and a soft, fluffy wool coat alike.

Stole Dress Gordon

Dress Gordon, based more heavily around green, is a striking shade that lets the muffler or stole take center stage. Thin yellow lines running through the deep green keep it from feeling heavy—a nice touch. It's a recommended choice for those who want to add a touch of sophistication along with the cuteness.

"How you wrap it" matters. Pairing with outerwear

We've talked about how the pattern and color of a tartan check affect the overall impression. Equally important is how you actually wrap it when wearing it. Wrapping it to match your outerwear brings the beauty of the tartan check into view and gives your whole outfit a well-balanced look.

Coat: LONDON TRADITION Duffle Coat Grey / Pants: Corduroy Pants BLACK / Shoes: Sneakers Tennis leather White

For the duffle coat, a winter outerwear staple, we recommend a piece in a clear, vivid color. Letting it peek out from your collar like a pop of accent color creates an eye-catching, charming touch. It also sits nicely with a single-loop wrap, allowing you to enjoy a variety of wrapping styles.

Outer: Women's Down Vest (Inner Down) (BLACK) / Sweater: Crew Neck Sweater Medium Grey 030 / Skirt: Corduroy Tiered Skirt / Shoes: Sneakers Tennis leather White

This Highland Tweeds muffler pairs effortlessly with casual styles like this one too. Once you've put together a monochrome outfit, finish it off by wrapping a muffler in your favorite color around and around your neck. Adding volume at the neckline draws the eye upward, and it pairs nicely with soft, voluminous bottoms as well.

Coat: Overcoat (MILK TEA) / Sweater: Crew Neck Sweater New Navy 183 / Pants: Corduroy Pants BLACK / Shoes: PETRA Black

For a sophisticated long wool coat or collarless coat, simply draping the scarf loosely suits the look best. Choosing a muffler in the same color as your outerwear creates a clean, advanced-level coordination. Letting the ends of the muffler hang down, in harmony with the length of the outerwear, makes you look more stylish.

▽We introduce the meaning of each tartan check pattern here.

Tartan Checks That Color Winter: Learn Their History and Meaning