Buffalo Check: The Fabric of American Grit and Style
There are few patterns as unmistakably American as buffalo check. Those bold red and black squares instantly evoke everything we love about classic Americana style, rugged, timeless, and full of character. From the woods to the workshop to the wardrobe, buffalo check shirts have become icons of American-made clothing and heritage craftsmanship.
The Origins: Woven into American History
The story of buffalo check begins in the 1850s, when Woolrich Woolen Mills of Pennsylvania introduced the now-famous red-and-black pattern. Inspired by Scottish tartans but reimagined for American life, it became the uniform of loggers, hunters, and frontiersmen. Thick wool provided warmth, while the bold pattern ensured visibility in the forest. It wasn’t about fashion, it was about function, endurance, and pride in hard work.
Over time, it evolved from workwear to a symbol of American craftsmanship. The pattern’s durability and simplicity made it a favorite among farmers, factory workers, and everyday people who built this country one stitch at a time.
From the Woods to the Wardrobe
By the mid-20th century, buffalo check had found its way into pop culture. Worn by icons like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Marlon Brando, it became synonymous with authenticity and effortless style. Designers began tailoring buffalo check flannels into modern cuts, proving that heritage clothing could be both practical and refined.
At Bards Clothing, we continue that tradition, reimagining buffalo check flannels in American-made fabrics sourced from mills that share our values of slow fashion and sustainable craftsmanship. Each piece we make celebrates not just the fabric, but the story behind it.
Why It Endures
Buffalo check has never gone out of style because it embodies what America was built on: work ethic, individuality, and connection to the land. It’s a pattern that feels as natural at a cabin in Vermont as it does layered under a sport coat in New York City.
To wear buffalo check is to wear a story, of generations who worked with their hands, valued what they made, and believed in quality that lasts.
Wear your story. Wear buffalo check.
