men's fashion week 2011

Slideshow: The Many Faces of Plaid

Thank you, Scotland. Among your many contributions to menswear (Argyle patterns, Aran sweaters, Harris tweed, skirts for men) is that pattern that thrives even as it’s constantly reinvented. What other weave has so much history to play with? This season, it was dandy-ish (Issey Miyake, Yves Saint Lauren), punk (Alexis Mabille), professorial (Kenzo), Western (the beefy check at Burberry Prorsum) and, in the hands of Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, clannish. Click to see all the patterns.

Slideshow: The Many Faces of Plaid