how to style plaid pieces for fall

How to Style Plaid Pieces for Fall

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An alternative name to this post would simply be “other plaid,” but that is really search engine friendly. We are continuing on with my plaid outfit series with this look book on how to style plaid pieces for fall. Plaid is super popular for fall, but I encourage you to think outside of the box and make my outfits work for all seasons. These outfits can be easily warmed up or cooled down to match the weather, so they are not strictly for fall. I am working with different articles of clothing that feature plaid prints, such as dresses, skirts, and more. By the end of this post, you will be inspired to make your own outfits as you shop similar pieces. I have seven outfits, so let’s hop to it!

P.S. my makeup looks crazy because I was wearing it for a Halloween blog post. As a blogger you need to multi-task or you will never make it!

how to style plaid pieces for fall

how to style plaid pieces for fall

Look #1: Off-shoulder dress

I am starting off how to style plaid pieces for fall with one of my favorite dresses! As you know from reading the plaid series, I typically go the punk/attitude route, but you can style this type of dress any way that you want. The off-shoulder neckline gives the perfect opportunity to fill it with a huge statement necklace that screams punk. My handbag is a unique twist on your normal crystal evening bag, but it goes with the black in the dress. For balance, white booties work here. The heel ties into the whole dressed up feeling.

black and white plaid off shoulder dress outfit

Dress: J for Justify from Gabe’s
Booties: Charlotte Russe
Handbag: Starlet from TJMaxx
Necklace: Gabe’s

silver ball statement necklace
black and white plaid off shoulder dress outfit
black and white plaid off shoulder dress outfit
black and white plaid off shoulder dress outfit
black and white plaid off shoulder dress outfit

Featured | Plaid Swing Dress + Sparkling Statement Necklace + Crystal Evening Bag + Pointed Toe Booties

Look #2: Plaid leggings

Second is a look that brings attention to beautiful red plaid leggings. I do not know the proper fashion terms to name the shirt, but the top part is a standard black shirt, but then it has a long, sheer panel attached to the front and back hem that goes down nearly to the ground. It gives me such a punk vibe! When the panels billow in the wind, you get that pop of red with the leggings. The solid shirt literally asks to be accessorized with a necklace. I tend to like silver jewelry with attitude outfits for whatever reason. I am finishing the outfit off with combat boots because they always work with this style, and a small leather handbag.

red plaid legging outfit with black sheer panel shirt

Shirt: Sweet Rain from Ross
Leggings: No Boundaries from Walmart
Booties: Attention from Kmart
Necklaces: rue21
Handbag: No Boundaries from Walmart

layered moon and gem necklace
red plaid legging outfit with black sheer panel shirt
red plaid legging outfit with black sheer panel shirt
red plaid legging outfit with black sheer panel shirt
red plaid legging outfit with black sheer panel shirt

Featured | Soft Gingham Leggings + Asymmetrical Blouse + Soda Combat Boots + Aldo Greenwald Crossbody Bag + Gothic Necklaces

Look #3: Plaid skirt

Third, I am styling a plaid skirt. It has a fun wrap detail and is gathered with a large o-ring. I love a tucked in style with skirts so that you can see all the details. A normal shirt works fine here, but this time around I am wearing a bodysuit for something different, plus the neckline is a breath of fresh air from your standard square neckline. If your weather is not warm enough to support short sleeves, sandals, and a skirt, try also wearing leggings or hose, and maybe a long sleeve shirt and booties. Anyway, the layered necklace fills the empty neck space plus adds detail. Leather sandals featuring zippers add a small touch of more attitude. The grommets on the handbag compliment the o-ring on the skirt.

red plaid skirt outfit

Bodysuit: Shinestar from Ross
Skirt: Joe Boxer from Kmart
Sandals: Attention from Kmart
Necklaces: rue21
Handbag: No Boundaries from Walmart

layered clear quartz and silver pendant necklaces
red plaid skirt outfit
red plaid skirt outfit
red plaid skirt outfit
red plaid skirt outfit

Featured | Split Hem Bodycon Skirt + Clear Quartz Necklace + Heidi Small Studs Crossbody + Square Neckline Bodysuit + Clarks Abigail Lily Wedge Sandals

Look #4: Plaid in layers

Fourth is an outfit that is incredibly similar to look number two. Sometimes when you have a lot of clothing you find that you have similar pieces! The challenge here is to change things up a bit. Again, I am not sure what the technical fashion terms are for the shirt, but the entire thing is made of a mesh fishnet material and it is high low. Since you can see through the shirt, this is the time to layer up. The red leggings are back, but are paired with a red plaid tank top that tucks right into the leggings for a seamless look. Instead of a black handbag, this time I am going for red to match our layers. A necklace sits perfectly on the layered canvas of black and red. I am wearing the sandals again, weather permitting, but you can easily swap out for booties.


Related Post: Best Women’s Hats for Fall | Staples


high low black fishnet shirt layered with red plaid outfit

Shirt: Free Kisses from Ross
Leggings: No Boundaries from Walmart
Tank top: No Boundaries from Walmart
Sandals: Attention from Kmart
Handbag: No Boundaries from Walmart
Necklace: Walmart

high low black fishnet shirt layered with red plaid outfit
high low black fishnet shirt layered with red plaid outfit
high low black fishnet shirt layered with red plaid outfit
high low black fishnet shirt layered with red plaid outfit

Featured | Sleeveless High Turtleneck Tank + PU Leather Satchel + Clarks Abigail Lily Wedge Sandals + See Through Mesh Dress + Soft Gingham Leggings + Punk Layering Necklaces

Look #5: Plaid blazer

Fifth in how to style plaid pieces for fall is one of my all-time favorite outfits, and it is rather “old.” It starts with the velvet shorts. I bought them on their own and then built an outfit around them, which is one of the ways I like to craft outfits. They are what I call “potential pieces,” meaning I may not have an idea for them, but a great outfit will be born because of them. Ultimately, I am doing a layered look that comes across as complex and expert, but honestly, it is easy to achieve. Any time that you layer while playing with textures, people will think you know so much about fashion.

First, I am tucking a sheer black tank top into the shorts. Then, I am wearing tights under the shorts. The red blazer is the attention piece! I cannot get over how the antique bronze buttons on the blazer match the statement necklace perfectly, down to the round accents on the necklace. Finish with red booties that match the blazer, and a quilted leather handbag. So, the textures are the sheer polyester, velvet, suede, leather, and flannel.

I always do four pictures per outfit. I am sorry I only have three. When I went to edit the photos I realized the fourth one did not take.

Red plaid suit jacket outfit
Blazer: Joe Boxer from Kmart
Tank top: free2luv from Sears
Velvet shorts: Joe Boxer from Kmart
Booties: Covington from Sears
Black tights
Purse: Delias
Necklace: Walmart
Antique gold statement necklace
red plaid blazer outfit
red plaid blazer outfit
red plaid blazer outfit

Featured | Notched Lapel Double-Breasted Blazer + Sleeveless Chiffon Tank Top + Elastic Waist Dolphin Shorts + Splendid Paisley Western Booties + Sheer Tight with Control Top + Vintage Boho Statement Necklace + PU Leather Zipper Bag

Look #6: Plaid sleeves

The final outfit in how to style plaid pieces for fall features a unique shirt, and it teaches a style hack on what to do when your shirt is a bit too long. I take the excess material and tie a knot in the front center, then I flip the knot up and under the shirt. This leaves an open area at the top of your jeans, so I add details with a double circle belt, as now you will see the belt buckle. Black jeans pull out the black on the plaid sleeves of the shirt, but ripped knees subtly bring back the punk feel. Instead of a necklace this time, I have gorgeous statement earrings featuring star and moons. The studded handbag matching the booties seals the deal.


Related Post: Style Hacks for the Effortless Fashionista


 

plaid sleeve pullover outfit

Shirt: Honeyme from Madison and Mallory
Jeans: No Boundaries from Walmart
Belt: Madison and Mallory
Handbag: Madison and Mallory
Booties: London Rag from Peebles
Earrings: Walmart

silver moon and star statement earrings
plaid sleeve pullover outfit
plaid sleeve pullover outfit
plaid sleeve pullover outfit
plaid sleeve pullover outfit

Featured | Miskely Color Block Pullover + Slit Knee High Waisted Solid Jeans + Comfity Leather Studded Booties + Rivet Chain Handbag + Leather Ring Belt + Reffeer CZ Crystals Moon Star Earrings

Conclusion

We are at the end of my look book on how to style plaid pieces for fall. Plaid is not just for shirts! You can find it on all articles of clothing, and the print is so much fun to corporate into virtually any outfit. Plaid is near and dear to my heart, and I probably bleed plaid when cut, so I will buy it on anything. It feeds my need for gothic vibes. I have more posts on the way, as I am on the quest to make outfits with all of my plaid and flannel. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

What is your favorite way to wear plaid?

View More of the Plaid Outfit Series:

Plaid Tunic Outfits Plaid Kimono Outfits Plaid Shirt Ideas
Flannel Shirt Outfits for Fall Preppy School Girl Outfits Summer Plaid Outfits

In This Article

Amanda
Amanda
Hi, I am Amanda Vitale, the owner of The Aesthetic Edge. I am a beauty and style expert who has been writing reviews and advice for 10 years. I have had the pleasure of testing hundreds of products, and I have published countless lookbooks. You can see my expertise quoted in top authoritative publications such as Bustle and Real Simple. I have also worked with your favorite brands, such as CurrentBody and AXIS-Y.
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