Wolfpack Outfitters is celebrating National Tartan Day on April 6 by featuring a new line of products made with NC State’s official tartan, Pack Plaid.
The official NC State Tartan was designed by Kathleen Kelly ‘14. She was in her first semester of graduate school at the College of Textiles when she designed the winning entry in NC State’s Pack Plaid contest. Her design, a sophisticated pattern in black, dark gray, red and white, is now listed as the “North Carolina State University — Pack Plaid” in the Scottish Registry of Deeds, the official Scottish register of tartans.
“Currently we carry scarves, koozies, luggage tags, mugs, and coasters,” said Jeff Halliburton, director of NC State Stores, “we’re looking to expand our selection to a variety of products, ranging from kilts to ties and blankets.”
National Tartan Day in the United States commemorates the Scottish Declaration of Independence and recognizes the achievements of Americans of Scottish descent.
The tartan has been found in parts of the world dating back as far as 3,000 B.C. — but the patterned cloth has long been associated with Scotland, where tartans have been woven since the 3rd or 4th century A.D. The name itself is likely derived from the French word tiretaine, meaning cloth of woven wool.
Celebrate National Tartan Day with YOUR Pack Plaid, available at Wolfpack Outfitters. Shop in-store or visit go.ncsu.edu/packplaid.