How to choose your plaid or blanket?

Whether it's a bitterly cold day, or you just feel the need for a little warmth, one of our most precious allies is without doubt the blanket. This versatile little blanket has become a household essential over the centuries. But one question remains? How do you choose the right blanket? In this article, we'll help you make the right choice and tell you a little more about the different types of blanket, their materials, and their history. Let's get started!

Blankets, the essential winter accessory

Now, if you live in northern Europe or America, you've probably already guessed why plaids or blankets are considered an essential winter accessory, but let's take a look at the various points and see why it's become such a fixture in our homes - whatever the season!

• Warmth and comfort: plaids or blankets are usually made from soft, warm fabrics such as wool, fleece, cashmere or cotton. A little blanket offers an extra layer of warmth when it's cold, and helps maintain a pleasant body temperature.
• Protection from low temperatures: even in these days of global warming, winter is still marked by a significant drop in temperature. Protecting yourself from the cold therefore often becomes essential, especially if you want to enjoy a relaxing moment at home. Whether you're watching TV, reading a book or just relaxing, a plaid - which is just a kind of blanket - makes it quick and easy to cover up and keep warm. Elementary!

The secret weapon of warmth

• Decoration and style: in addition to their functional aspect, plaids or blankets have also become highly prized for the decorative aspect they bring to a living room or a room in general. One of the fundamental differences with traditional bed covers, often found only in the bedroom, is that blankets are also decorative elements in their own right in a living room. The variety of colors, patterns and textures available enable them to complement a room's decor while bringing a warm ambience to the place in which they are found.
  
  
• Versatility: what's most practical is that blankets are versatile objects. They can be used in a variety of ways, thanks to their - generally - more modest size than a conventional blanket, and to their light weight. These qualities make them easy to transport, for outdoor outings and picnics for example... but also as an extra blanket, or even worn over the shoulders for a relaxing afternoon at home.

In short, plaids or blankets are essential winter accessories are the perfect alternative to the heavy bed comforter.
It's lighter, more portable and can easily add an extra touch of warmth to your home decor.

Discover our selection of blankets now.

The history of blanket

The history of blankets goes back many centuries, and the object has evolved over the ages, taking on different uses depending on cultures around the world.

The word "plaid" comes from the Scottish Gaelic "plaide", which originally meant "scarf".

Here's a general summary of its history:

• Ancient origins difficult to trace: the first forms of plaids date back to ancient times. The Celts, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, used long pieces of fabric to protect themselves from the cold and as basic clothing.
  
  
• Scottish evolution: in Scotland, plaid took its present form around the 16th century. Scottish clans used tartans, woven check patterns, to identify different families. They were often made from wool, a material abundant in Scotland and perfect for combating low temperatures and harsh weather conditions. Different colors symbolized different clans.
  Tartans, large, warm pieces of cloth, were worn around the shoulders and held in place by a brooch. These ancient plaids provided protection from the elements and were also used as blankets while sleeping.
  The tartan is therefore one of the original forms of plaid, but plaids have evolved over time, so that a plaid is not necessarily a tartan, but a tartan will always be a plaid!
  Plaid has become a symbol of Scottish identity. Proudly worn by Highlanders, it is one of the emblematic elements of Scottish fashion and culture.

Examples of tartans

• Worldwide diffusion: over the centuries, plaid and blankets have spread worldwide. They have become popular in Western fashion and as decorative elements, bringing comfort and style to interiors. Plaids of different sizes, materials and patterns can be found all over the world, from traditional blankets to versatile fashion accessories including faux fur or all kinds of additions.

The plaid thus has a rich and diverse history, having evolved from simple pieces of fabric used to protect against the cold to become an emblematic accessory of fashion and comfort.

Today, this everyday object is no longer just the symbol of the Highlanders, but has also become one of the symbols of cocooning, on a par with the slipper or the hot water bottle!

Cocooning:

• Cocooning is a term coined in 1987 by Faith Popcorn, a famous marketing consultant at the time. The word refers to the feeling of being so at home that you don't feel like leaving. This principle has become increasingly popular over the decades, particularly after long periods of confinement.

Discover our selection now.

Synthetic or natural plaid?

Plaids fall into three main categories depending on the materials used: synthetic, natural and mixed. Let's take a look at the differences between these families of plaids!

Synthetic plaids :

• Materials: synthetic plaids are made from artificial fibers such as polyester, acrylic or fleece. These materials are chemically created, so they are not of natural origin. Some feature faux fur or more fanciful decorations.
• 
  Features: these plaids are often appreciated for their durability, ease of care and resistance to staining and fading. They are also generally less expensive than natural materials and dry faster. Some are even wrinkle-resistant!
• 
  Warmth: these plaids offer good thermal insulation, but can sometimes retain less heat than natural materials such as wool.
• 
  Certain disadvantages: they are not very breathable, unlike those made from natural fibers. They also have the disadvantage of generating static electricity! It's also highly recommended to clean them often, as they quickly accumulate unpleasant odors...

Natural plaids:

• Materials: a natural plaid is made from fibers such as wool, cotton, cashmere, linen or silk. These materials come from natural sources and are considered more environmentally friendly.
• Characteristics: they are appreciated for their softness, breathability (unlike synthetics!) and ability to regulate body temperature. Wool, for example, can retain heat even when wet.
  
  
• Quality: high-quality natural plaids can be more expensive due to the production process and materials used. But the benefits they offer are well worth it. They often last longer and offer greater comfort and breathability.
  
  

Interested in natural blankets or plaids? Discover our selection of warm, natural blankets for your sofa or interior.

Mixed plaids :

• Materials: mixed plaids combine both natural and synthetic materials. A mixed plaid, for example, could be made of both wool and polyester.
  
  
• Combined benefits: These plaids aim to combine the advantages of both types of material. They can offer both the softness and warmth of natural fibers, and the durability and ease of cleaning of synthetic fibers. However, they will retain some of the inherent shortcomings of the materials of which they are made.

In short, the differences between plaids lie mainly in the materials used. The material can have a huge influence on the feel, comfort and look of the item; it can also have an influence on the price.

Different models

How to choose your blanket or plaid?

So now the big question is, how do you choose your throw? Taking into account the elements mentioned above, let's take a look at some of the things to consider:

1. Material:
   Synthetics, natural or mixed, determine which materials best suit your needs: wool or fleece? Cotton or polyester? As we saw above, fibers like wool offer warmth and softness, while synthetic fibers dry faster and are easier to care for.
   
   
2. Think about intended use:
   Indoor or outdoor, it makes a big difference! It's also important to consider whether you'll need to wash it often or not, whether it will stain often, etc. If you plan to use your plaid mainly indoors, snuggling up on the sofa, softness and comfort could be paramount. For outdoor use, durability and stain resistance might be more important.
   
   
3. Size and thickness:
   Choose a size that suits your intended use. A plaid that's too bulky can quickly become unwieldy and difficult to clean. Do you prefer a larger one to cover you completely, or one with a smaller size to cover just your legs?
   Some plaids are lighter and less warm, making them ideal for milder temperatures. Do you want to use it all year round, or just in winter? It's a question worth asking! A warm plaid is much less useful in summer!
   
   
4. Style and pattern according to location:
   Choose a pattern or color that matches your style or interior decor. Plaids are available in a wide variety of patterns, from classic tartans to modern designs. A neutral design can easily match any interior (I'm not very original, mine's gray and not very showy... but it keeps warm!).
   
   
5. Think about maintenance:
   Check the instructions. Some plaids may require dry-cleaning, while others may be machine-washable.
   
   
6. Budget:
   The price, of course! Budgets vary widely, depending on the materials used. Whatever your choice, remember that quality often rhymes with durability.
7. Try it on if you can:
   If you can, touch and feel the plaid to assess its texture and softness. This can help you make a more informed decision.

Warm up with this perfect accessory!

How do I clean a blanket or a plaid?

Cleaning plaid obviously depends on the type of material from which it's made. Here are some general tips for cleaning your plaid based on the most common materials:

Wool plaids:

• Hand-wash: prefer hand-cleaning with lukewarm water and a mild detergent made for wool. Avoid rubbing too hard, and don't twist the fabric to avoid deforming it.
• Drying: gently blot off excess water and leave to dry flat to avoid warping. Machine-drying should also be avoided, as it may shrink the wool.

Cotton plaids:

• Machine-washable: most cotton plaids can be machine-washed in lukewarm or cold water with a mild detergent, but be sure to follow the washing instructions on the label.
• Drying: air-dry or tumble-dry at low temperature to prevent shrinkage.

Polyester/acrylic plaids :

• Machine washable: these materials are generally machine washable in lukewarm or cold water. Use a delicate cycle and mild detergent.
• Drying: they can be tumble-dried at low temperature or hung to dry. In general, they dry rather quickly!

Fiber-blend plaids:

• As they are made from a blend of fibers, the best I can advise is to follow the specific washing instructions on the label.

Further advice:

• Avoid hot water! It can shrink the fiber of wool or cotton throws.
  
  
• If the plaid is stained, try to treat the stain locally. Don't forget to ask about suitable detergents.
  
  
• It's always best to read labels to be sure of the right care!

If you're not sure about the cleaning method, or if the plaid is precious, it may be wise to entrust the cleaning to a professional, especially for delicate materials like wool or cashmere.

Conclusion

We hope you've enjoyed snuggling up in the world of plaid. From its beginnings to the present day, this comforting object has come a long way to become a permanent fixture in our lives. Take advantage of its soft warmth now and warm up your everyday life!

Browse our selection of warm blankets for your sofa or home, and enjoy a moment of comfort yourself.