In case you have not heard, plaid is back in season! Well, I love plaid so, fortunately, I already had a few great pieces in my closet. However, plaid can be tricky to wear — with the wrong plaid shirt you risk looking a bit too rustic and the wrong plaid skirt could result in your looking like some sort of school girl. Obviously, neither of those are a good look.
Generally, if you are wearing a “traditional” blue, white, red plaid skirt consider pairing it with a brown or gray blazer or sweater and add black tights to create sophistication. Black tights also make you look slimmer, which is an extra perk. If you are trying to decide what top to pair with your plaid skirt, you should consider choosing a top that incorporates colors similar to those found in the skirt. So, for example, if your skirt is primarily beige but incorporates red lines in the plaid design, then you might consider choosing a red top that matches the red in your skirt.
I prefer to pair plaid tops with either a simple clean pant for a more professional look or a skinny jean for a more casual look. You can easily dress down any outfit with jeans! However, if you choose to go casual, add a nice necklace or black purse to finish the look.
Below you will find a few suggestions on how to wear plaid this season. I have included a direct link for any item that is currently available on the retailer’s website. And, remember, look good, feel good.
Mix and Match Patterns – Plaid Skirt and Herringbone Blazer
What’s Here:
- Herringbone blazer and purple sleeveless top with ruffles from J. Crew (purchased on sale)
- Plaid skirt from Next UK
- Decollete 868 Pumps from Christian Louboutin
More on this Style: I prefer to pair this plaid skirt with a brown or herringbone blazer. If I used a navy blazer, I would look a little too schoolgirl and that really is not the image I want to project. I added the black tights in order to make the outfit appear more sophisticated and, again, avoid any school girl look. The deep purple top compliments both the blazer and the skirt. I would probably accessorize with a brown or navy bag with a little texture. I would not wear a necklace because the ruffles add enough visual interest and texture to the outfit.
Mix and Match Textures – Velvet Blazer and Plaid Skirt
- Maroon velvet blazer and white shirt with ruffles from J Crew (purchased on sale)
- Plaid A-line skirt from Ralph Lauren Rugby purchased at TJ Maxx
- Morphing Wedge from Christian Louboutin purchased at Bergdorf Goodman (purchased on sale)
More on this Style: I really like this outfit because it incorporates two of this season’s biggest trends — plaid and the 70s. The white ruffled top and the maroon velvet jacket both create a chic 70s throwback look. And, the colors in the plaid skirt really compliment the colors in the blazer. If you do not have a blazer, choose a maroon sweater. I purchased these shoes from Bergdorf Goodman in New York City during one of their big sales — yes you can buy designer shoes on sale and these shoes will last a lifetime.
Plaid for Work – Plaid Top and Tailored Pants
- Plaid top from Next UK
- Martie Pant from J Crew (purchased this season)
- So Kate Suede 120mm Heels from Christian Louboutin
More on this Style: Last year when I was in London, I shopped along Oxford street and discovered the amazing Next UK. Plaid was trending in London last year so I was fortunate enough to pick up a few great pieces before the trend hit state-side this year. The back of this top is a slightly sheer black. I paired this top with these pants because the blue in the pants matched the blue in the top perfectly. I decided to add a variation of blue in the shoes with the teal suede pumps by Christian Louboutin. These shoes, however, are not made for walking far — just walking around the office. I added a simple silver necklace, which I picked up from Swarovski.
Casual Friday Plaid – Plaid Jacket and Jeans
What’s Here:
- Plaid jacket from Ralph Lauren Rugby purchased at TJ Maxx
- Bootcut jeans from Banana Republic (purchased on sale)
- Cork clutch from J.Crew (purchased on sale)
- Open toe blue suede pumps from Halogen purchased at Nordstrom
More on this Style: Ralph Lauren Rugby used to be one of my favorite lines, however, Ralph Lauren ended the line in February 2013. However, after the line closed, I found a number of Rugby items in TJ Maxx stores all over the country so, needless to say, I purchased as many pieces as I could. I opted for a bootcut jean with this jacket, but I would also choose to pair it with a skinny jean. I would probably add a simple gold necklace to accentuate my neckline. Now, cork purses were a big trend from last year, but I still chose to incorporate it because I really thought it added an additional flair to the outfit. In terms of the shoes, I love them and managed to pick them up at Nordstrom Rack, which is one of my favorite places to shop.
Plaid for the Weekend – Plaid Shirt and Black Jeans
- Plaid shirt from J Crew (purchased on sale this season)
- Black jeans from Madewell (purchased on sale)
- Deroba 140 flannel/rope/calf from Christian Louboutin (purchased on sale)
More on this Style: I was a little hesitant about purchasing this top, but now that I have it, I love it. The top is flannel so in order to avoid appearing too frumpy, I paired this top with black jeans that I purchased last year from Madewell. You cannot quite tell from the picture, but the jeans have ridges right over the knee area and a slight sheen that make them fun nights or chic days. Again, I purchased these amazing shoes on sale from Neiman Marcus. When I wear them I look at least 4 inches taller. I would likely pair this with a black bag and sterling silver necklace to top off the look.