Buffalo Plaid: From Frontier to Fashion Week

Walk into our shop on any given day and chances are you’ll spot at least one red-and-black buffalo plaid flannel on the racks. It’s classic, rugged, and somehow still cool — even after more than a century of wear.

So where did it come from, and why does it refuse to go out of style?

A Pattern with Frontier Roots

Buffalo plaid first popped up in the mid-1800s, popularized by Woolrich Woolen Mills in Pennsylvania. Legend has it the pattern was brought over by a Scottish immigrant who worked for the company, based on traditional tartan designs. The bold red and black check was sturdy, simple, and instantly recognizable — perfect for outdoor workwear.

Hunters, loggers, and anyone toughing it out in the woods embraced it. It wasn’t just clothing — it became a uniform of grit.

Pop Culture Seal of Approval

Fast-forward to the 20th century, and buffalo plaid went mainstream. Paul Bunyan cartoons cemented the lumberjack image. Hollywood westerns dressed their heroes in it. By the time Kurt Cobain and the grunge movement rolled around in the 90s, the flannel shirt (often buffalo plaid) was practically a rebellion uniform.

Even today, it shows up everywhere from runway collections to Target’s holiday aisles.

Why It Endures

Buffalo plaid is bold but versatile — casual enough for the woods, stylish enough for the city. It works as a statement coat, a cozy scarf, or a lived-in shirt layered over a band tee. And because it’s so deeply tied to Americana and nostalgia, it cycles back into fashion every few years without ever feeling out of place.

At Decaydence

We’re always on the lookout for great buffalo plaid pieces — whether it’s a vintage Woolrich flannel or a 70s coat lined with shearling. They don’t stay on the rack long, either. There’s just something about that pattern that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.