It seems that everyone from Paris to Paris' dog Tinkerbell are wearing plaid and houndstooth this season.



The bold patterns have been becoming more and more popular thanks to designers such as Diane von Furstenberg who have used the striking designs on their runway more recently. Houndstooth prints are coming out now in both larger or smaller checks and are making a comeback since the original design became popular in the 1930's and then again in the 1970s.



Plaid is another bold design that is making a comeback, and can be seen on Gwen Stefani and Jessica Simpson.




Tell us what you think of Plaid and Houndstooth - would you wear it?

I think i would wear the houndstooth but im not sure if plaid would suit me!

not a fan of either- houndstooth makes me feel like a dj's ad and plaid reminds me of my school uniform!

I have always liked both...classic!

Both are fantastic 'patterns', though I'm yet to find a men's item which works really well in houndstooth (I blame the buyers).

Tartan is eternally good. It's interesting that it's called plaid though, does anyone know the origins. Plaid (or plad is) actually a thick woollen material, but not tartan itself.

Tartan rocks.....I have cute tartan mary janes :)

For me, plaid has been in :] As for tartan, it's not really working for me, but maybe with a twist like color combinations, it will look fabulous.

I've been obsessed with both plaid and houndstooth for ages (blame the anglophile in me), so I've got plenty of pieces to run with this trend.

What, there has been a time when they weren't fashionable? I don't keep the count on how many clothes I have that are in tartan or houndstooth. I have pants, skirts, scarves... even an umbrella. Shoes would be great, but I'm afraid they'd become dirty fast, being made of fabric...

I have a very lovely mini skirt, but I'm afraid that indeed, it might look like a part of a schoolgirl's uniform. But then, I just avoid wearing it with a crisp white shirt.

I love plaid/tartan for just about anything but pants. Makes for a very loud camel toe. I think that tartan is the term for offical registered plaid patterns for families, schools and other organizations. Plaid is any fabric with horizontal and vertical stripes. I love the school uniform look - we don't have uniforms for schools around here- particularly the mini kilt with over the knee socks!
Houndstooth - don't like so much. It usually does weird things to the eyes, if strange colours are used.