7 Rad Hollywood-Approved Ways to Wear Plaid This Fall
1/9Imagine it’s a crisp, clear October day, and you’re strolling down the crunchy leaf-covered sidewalk, sipping on a pumpkin spice latte with extra cinnamon on top (basic schmasic — it tastes delicious). There’s only one way to make all this autumnal wonderfulness better: by wearing some plaid. Just the right mix of cozy and cool, the classic print is just so perfectly suited to fall’s snappy weather; it’s inherently snuggly, while still striking enough to elevate your entire outfit. Even better? There’s about a million and one awesome ways to style the pattern, starting with seven celebrity-inspired ideas ahead. Read on for a crash course in reinventing the criss-crossed motif all season.
VLNY / Splash News2/9Tie a flannel around your waist.
Especially useful for fall days that swing from chilly mornings to nearly summer-like afternoons, the way Sophie and Hailee have wrapped button downs around their hips offers the rich textured effect of a wooly flannel when it’s not cold enough to actually wear it. As for when the temperature drops for good? Just do the same combination with an open hoodie and denim jacket on top — layers of contrasting fabric make the ensemble more interesting.
Bauer-Griffin LLC3/9__Mix it with leather. __
Sidestep all the print’s twee and woodsy cliches by working in some slick black kidskin. The unlikely blend of material immediately adds edge to the equation, making for a gritty, I’m-with-the-band kind of party look. While the weather allows, short skirts and shorts — like Jourdan’s! — are a fantastic option, but you’ll want longer hemlines come November.
Sharpshooter Images / Splash4/9Transition your warm weather pieces to cooler temperatures.
Still not ready to part with your crop tops and miniskirts? Just as Cara has done here, incorporating a plaid piece in an otherwise summery outfit instantly gives it a fall-ready spin. Warning: this trick only works for the next few weeks when the forecast is still fairly mild. After that, you’ll need to get in on some tight and booties action.
GC Images5/9Take things in a ladylike direction.
A common misconception about our pattern of focus: it begets a grunge-y, tomboy vibe. To give it a sense of feminine sophistication, take a cue from Taylor and build your ensemble around one grid line design in a classic cut. From there it’s just a matter of using equally polished accessories — think streamlined gloves, structured handbags, sleek booties — to drive the point home.
GC Images6/9__Make your look all about the lower half. __
Just the ticket to jazzing up your vast collection of solid colored shirts. Thanks to the bold statement happening from your waist down, it’s fine to do a simple top with punchy plaid pants — you need it for balance! For more formal occasions, we’d go the same route as Zendaya with slicked back hair and heels; oxfords and a topknot make the combination daytime-appropriate.
PC / Splash News7/9__Do an oversize work shirt over a cropped T-shirt and high-waisted jeans. __
Baggier is better here, so remember: instead of buying the button-down, it’s fine to “borrow” one from your dad/brother/boyfriend/platonic male roommate. As you can see on Bella, a long, loose fit ties all the other proportions together; the push-pull mix of shapes makes this the sort of insouciant, undone-on-purpose look an It model would wear between shows.
GC Images8/9Work the print in with a ginormous scarf.
When you’ve got a few too many plain neutrals going on, an oversized muffler breaks things up while adding an element of coziness. Even better: thanks to its blanket-like proportions and heavier material, it doubles as a coat when you don’t want to bother with cumbersome buttons or sleeves. Just follow Karlie’s lead by draping it across your shoulders, one end tossed to the back to block out drafts. Elegant and practical.
9/9Want more Teen Vogue? Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!
