Rome  - Colourful tartans well-known in Scotland currently are all the rage in Italy. Anyone with a sense of style from Milan to Messina and from Pordenone to Palermo is wearing plaids.

The imagination of the style-conscious Italians knows no limits. Whether it's handbags, hair bands, pumps, sneakers, bustiers, miniskirts or cigarette lighters, almost everything is available in the new look. Officially, everything is allowed from punk to conservative, for both men and women. The main thing is that plaids are part of the attire.

It's all being described as either British or Scottish style. A style magazine for youths recently featured a cover with the title "Scotland is Close to You. (dpa)