Once the symbol of Scottish Highlander rebellion, plaid shifted into a textile of prestige and heritage — and became the symbol of preppy style.

(Dwyer-McNulty herself attended two different Catholic schools in Philadelphia, wearing plaid uniforms through high school). Olivia Rodrigo in a punk plaid mini in 2022. Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images ...

Plaid has become a catch-all term in the US, but includes patterns with distinct histories, including tartan, from Scotland, which is more associated with Catholic school uniforms, and madras ...

(Dwyer-McNulty herself attended two different Catholic schools in Philadelphia, wearing plaid uniforms through high school). Olivia Rodrigo in a punk plaid mini in 2022. Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images ...

(Dwyer-McNulty herself attended two different Catholic schools in Philadelphia, wearing plaid uniforms through high school). Olivia Rodrigo in a punk plaid mini in 2022. - Gotham/GC Images/Getty ...

By Jacqui Palumbo, CNN (CNN) — As students return to school, one patterned textile now synonymous with uniforms will make its seasonal reappearance on pleated skirts, jumpers and ties: plaid ...