How to Tart-an yourself up on a budget!

I know what usually springs to mind at the mention of tartan: the Scots, kilts and haggis (or is that just me).

So it may come as a surprise that tartan, AKA plaid, is going to be one of the biggest trends for autumn/winter 2008.

However don't fret - you don't have to wear a bright red kilt and do the highland fling to be on trend.

Just take a look at the cat walk.

Everyone from D&G to uber-hip Henry Holland were sending their girls down the catwalk all plaided up.

So if it's good enough for the catwalk it's good enough for us mere mortals.

Now I'm not saying you have to plaid yourself out from top to bottom and look like a table cloth.

All you need is a few key pieces.

If you want to ease yourself into the trend then the checked lumberjack shirt is a must.

Topshop have a wide range of these in all different colours from £25.

Just team your shirt with a pair of skinnies and some boots and bingo - you're right on trend.

Another way of incorporating this trend to any outfit is to add a tartan bag or tights.

ASOS do a fab holdall for £28 and Dorothy Perkins' plaid tights at £8 can update any black pencil skirt.

Don't fret - you don't have to wear a bright red kilt and do the highland fling to be on trend

Emma Russell

Your tartan pieces don't even have to be red.

Henry Holland sent his girls down the catwalk in purple (FYI - another key trend for the autumn) plaid and Cavalli's girls wore monochrome.

So if you're not brave enough to embrace the traditional bright red tartan then you can always wear another colour and still look as fashionable.

Miss Selfridge do a gorgeous black and white checked skirt at £15 for all you colour-phobes.

For all the Fashionistas out there who are prepared to go all out then Peacocks have a red tartan prom dress for an absolute bargain at £22.

Team it with a pair of black stilettos and your ready for a night of highland flinging!

And if you're really brave then you can follow suit of D&G who clashed tartan prints with leopard prints and checks.

Why not try teaming ASOS's plaid prom dress (£35) with a pair of Topshop's tiger print tights (£8) for a look that would give even Gwen Stefani a run for her money?

There's no excuse for not being on trend this autumn/winter as anyone can incorporate a bit of tartan into their wardrobe, however big or small.

So come on you wee lassies; get yourself to the high street and get yourselves tart-aned up!!