How to style plaid for fall

Plaid and checks are timeless patterns that come back into style every fall. But figuring out how to wear them in a modern, chic way can feel tricky. The good news is that plaid and checks are incredibly versatile and can be styled in ways that are both contemporary and sophisticated. Take a look below at how to embrace this classic fall trend, while staying true to your personal style.

Is plaid in style for fall 2024?

Plaid comes back around every fall. If you walk into any store or look online, you’ll see lots of plaid for fall. The great thing about plaid is that it is so versatile, so you’ll find lots of timeless yet on-trend clothing, no matter what your personal style.

Are plaid dress pants in style in 2024?

Definitely. And, you can dress them up for work or dinner with a camisole or blouse and blazer, or go casual with sneakers and a sweater.

What are the rules for wearing plaid?

There really aren’t any rules. You can wear plaid in so many ways—style as casually or formally as you want. An easy way to think about it is to wear plaid bottoms and a plain top, or vice versa.

Carmen wears print pants and a chunky sweater | 40plusstyle.comCarmen wears print pants and a chunky sweater | 40plusstyle.com

Carmen @carmen_gimeno above looks fabulous in her plaid pants and gold sweater, teamed with classic Adidas sneakers.

Get her look with this similar sweater (another option here), pants, sneakers, handbag and sunglasses.

Are plaid skirts in style in 2024?

Absolutely. Designers like Vivienne Westwood often showcase plaid skirts, and they look stylish when worn with your fall sweaters.

Plaid clothes and accessories

Before we get to how to style your plaid, let’s look at some of the chicest plaid clothes, shoes, and accessories we’ve found in stores and then how to wear them.

Plaid tops

Starting with plaid tops, you can opt for any style that suits your personal aesthetic. Choose dressier checks to dress up your jeans, or cozy shirts and sweaters for casual days. You can wear the shirt open as a shacket.

Print tops for fall | 40plusstyle.comPrint tops for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Isabel Marant Étoile Tilda Plaid Cotton TopLands’ End Lightweight Jersey Skimming TurtleneckThread & Supply Plaid Polar Fleece ShacketBarbour Deanna Plaid Wool Blend Mock Neck Sweater

Coats and jackets

A plaid coat is a perfect way to update all of your fall and winter outfits. Either opt for a belted style or a menswear-inspired straight wool coat. Wear your plaid blazer with your favorite jeans, and add a plaid poncho over your other knitwear.

We noticed many plaid coat choices at Amazon if you want to search for more inspiration.

Plaid coats for fall | 40plusstyle.comPlaid coats for fall | 40plusstyle.com

MANGO Checked BlazerCHARTOU Oversize Woolen Plaid CoatGRACE KARIN Double Breasted Belted CoatMoss Rose Plaid Open Front Poncho

Emms in a long plaid coat | 40plusstyle.comEmms in a long plaid coat | 40plusstyle.com

Emms @beautifuleveryday_uk above chooses a long plaid coat that ties in beautifully with the color of her boots.

Recreate her outfit with this similar coat (another option here) and boots.

Plaid pants and jeans

Another option is to choose plaid for the bottom half of your outfit and keep the top half neutral. You can alter the size of the checks to create different looks.

Plaid pants for fall | 40plusstyle.comPlaid pants for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Wit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Skyrise Plaid Wide Leg TrousersVeronica Beard Brixton Plaid Crop Wide Leg Wool PantsHue Pintuck Pull-On PantsDesign by Olivia Ultra Stretch Millennium Bootcut Pants

Plaid dresses and skirts

How about a plaid dress for work? Choose one with sleeves so that you’re office appropriate. Wear your fall sweaters with plaid skirts, or stand out from the party crowd and wear a plaid dress to events—team with neutral shoes and accessories. Plaid goes well with suede textures for your bag and shoes.

Plaid dresses and skirts | 40plusstyle.comPlaid dresses and skirts | 40plusstyle.com

M.M.LaFleur Ciela Knit DressMANGO Check Print Midi DressKate Kasin Tweed Pencil SkirtVince Plaid Satin Skirt

Karen in a check skirt and denim jacket | 40plusstyle.comKaren in a check skirt and denim jacket | 40plusstyle.com

Karen @styledbykaren above shows you can wear your check skirt with a denim jacket for a classic, transitional look.

Steal her look with this similar denim jacket, skirt, tights, booties and sunglasses.

Plaid shoes and boots

Like any trend, you can add it with your shoes and accessories rather than your clothing. Choose sneakers for casual days, loafers for a preppy feel, Mary Jane flats for an on-trend look, or heels to dress up your outfit.

Plaid boots for fall | 40plusstyle.comPlaid boots for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Loeffler Randall Margot Bow MulesCole Haan Bridge Mary Jane Ballet FlatsCole Haan Lux Pinch Penny LoafersVans Old Skool Leather Check Sneakers

Plaid accessories

Or add a check scarf or bag to finish off your outfit. Another perfect plaid accessory is a plaid scarf, which is an absolute classic and will update your neutral coats. A plaid scarf is ideal if you want to emulate the stylish preppy looks of Ali MacGraw in Love Story.

Plaid accessories for fall | 40plusstyle.comPlaid accessories for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Kate Spade New York Large Manhattan Grand Plaid ToteOryany Lottie Check Crossbody BagMANGO Fringed End Checkered ScarfBrixton Fiddler Fisherman CapBurberry Vintage Check Belt – rag & bone Harlow Denim Baseball Cap

How to style plaid

Okay, so now that you’ve chosen your favorite plaid pieces, let’s look at some stylish ideas for incorporating them into your outfits.

1. Opt for tailored silhouettes

While you might think of plaid as a casual print for shirts and shackets, opting for tailored pieces like a plaid blazer can really elevate the print. Pair a tailored plaid blazer with your favorite jeans. You can layer over a lightweight sweater for extra warmth.

Plaid blazer and jeans | 40plusstyle.comPlaid blazer and jeans | 40plusstyle.com

MANGO Checked BlazerOpen Edit Matte Satin TeePAIGE Laurel Canyon High Waist Flare JeansKeds Remi Slip-on SneakersTory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Totest. Moran Chunky Hoop Earrings

2. Incorporate plaid with your accessories

If you don’t want to commit to a plaid dress or coat, then incorporate checks into your outfit with your accessories. A plaid scarf with your existing neutral coat, or a plaid bag against a plain outfit will work beautifully and will add a pop of pattern without overwhelming your existing style.

Plaid scarf and gray coat | 40plusstyle.comPlaid scarf and gray coat | 40plusstyle.com

Sam Edelman Tie Belt Wool Blend Wrap CoatNordstrom Crewneck Side Slit Wool & Cashmere SweaterFRAME Modern Pocket Button Front Midi Denim SkirtKork-Ease Carli BootsTory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather ToteMANGO Fringed End Checkered Scarf

3. Plaid with neutrals

Choosing one plaid piece—whether a pair of pants, top, or scarf—and teaming it with the neutrals you already own is a great way to inject some print into your outfits. Neutral tones will let your plaid stand out without competing.

Plaid top and black pants | 40plusstyle.comPlaid top and black pants | 40plusstyle.com

Isabel Marant Étoile Tilda Plaid Cotton TopOpen Edit Pleated Wide Leg PantsNine West Propper Kitten Heel PumpsKurt Geiger London Party Eagle Drench ClutchNadri Farrah Cubic Zirconia Drop Earrings

How to style plaid and checks for fall | 40plusstyle.comHow to style plaid and checks for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun above (read her style interview here) shows how you can keep your colors neutral, but play with textures by teaming a teddy bear coat with her plaid shirt.

Check out this similar shirt (another option here), coat, jeans, booties, earrings and belt.

4. Layer with leather

Plaid goes well with different textures like leather and denim. Layer a plaid shirt under a leather jacket, or with a leather skirt.

Plaid shirt and leather skirt | 40plusstyle.comPlaid shirt and leather skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Thread & Supply Plaid Polar Fleece ShacketNordstrom Leather Pencil SkirtKeds Remi Slip-on SneakersTory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Totest. Moran Chunky Hoop Earrings

5. Go for subtle plaid prints

If you prefer a more subtle approach, opt for softer and more subdued plaid patterns. Smaller checks or muted plaid colors, such as soft gray, blush, or burgundy, can give you a fall feeling without being too ‘loud’. You can also mix your checks by wearing big and small checks.

Check pants and burgundy sweater | 40plusstyle.comCheck pants and burgundy sweater | 40plusstyle.com

Nordstrom V-Neck Cashmere SweaterHue Pintuck Pull-On PantsMICHAEL Michael Kors Luna Kitten Sling PumpsBelle & Bloom Apen Plaid Scarf

6. Try plaid outerwear

Plaid coats and jackets are a great way to make a statement while keeping warm. Invest in a tailored plaid coat to throw over everything from your jeans and sweaters to your black dresses.

Check coat and neutral outfit | 40plusstyle.comCheck coat and neutral outfit | 40plusstyle.com

GRACE KARIN Double Breasted Belted CoatOpen Edit Matte Satin TeeOpen Edit Pleated Wide Leg PantsMICHAEL Michael Kors Luna Kitten Sling PumpsTory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Leather Totest. Moran Chunky Hoop Earrings

Kimba wears a sweater dress and shacket | 40plusstyle.comKimba wears a sweater dress and shacket | 40plusstyle.com

Kimba @kimbalikes above combines her plaid shacket with a sweater dress for a look that mixes casual and more formal.

Get her look with this similar dress, shacket, boots, earrings and necklace.

7. Plaid evening wear

It’s unlikely anyone else will choose a plaid dress for eveningwear. So, rather than your little black dress, how about a little plaid dress.

Plaid eveningwear | 40plusstyle.comPlaid eveningwear | 40plusstyle.com

Nordstrom Satin Border Silk Chiffon ScarfMANGO Check Print Midi DressNine West Propper Kitten Heel PumpsKurt Geiger London Party Eagle Drench ClutchNadri Farrah Cubic Zirconia Drop Earrings

8. A plaid wrap over your leggings

Adding a plaid blanket scarf, poncho, or wrap to your neutral outfits gives you an easy, chic look. Wear it over your long-sleeve shirts or sweaters.

Check poncho with leggings | 40plusstyle.comCheck poncho with leggings | 40plusstyle.com

Moss Rose Plaid Open Front PonchoCOS Relaxed Denim ShirtZella High Waist Fleece Lined LeggingsNaturalizer Darry Water Repellent Ankle BootsOryany Lottie Check Crossbody BagNadri Farrah Cubic Zirconia Drop Earrings

9. Add glamour with wide leg pants

Wide-leg pants are still very on-trend, and they add glamour to even casual looks. Opt for a wide-leg pair of plaid pants, and then keep your top half plain and neutral.

Wide leg plaid pants | 40plusstyle.comWide leg plaid pants | 40plusstyle.com

COS Longline Wool VestCOS Twist-back Sleeveless TopWit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution Skyrise Plaid Wide Leg TrousersVince Isabel Pointed Toe FlatKurt Geiger London Party Eagle Drench Clutchst. Moran Chunky Hoop Earrings

Your plaid outfits together in one capsule

Below, you can see the plaid outfits from above together in one capsule. You can create many different looks with these by teaming any plaid tops with any plain bottoms, and vice versa.

Do you wear plaid in the fall or any time of the year? Let us know in the comments below

Plaid capsule wardrobe | 40plusstyle.comPlaid capsule wardrobe | 40plusstyle.com


Continue reading:

  1. Timeless fall trends that will stand the test of time
  2. Natural colors for an effortlessly chic look
  3. Fall fashion essentials for minimalists

Like this article on how to style plaid for winter and fall? Share it on Pinterest!

How to style plaid and checks for fall | 40plusstyle.comHow to style plaid and checks for fall | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun

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