The Plaid Pieces Fashion Girls Are Buying Instead of Flannel

The runways spent all of February making our case for us. Chloé built an entire collection around checks, from button-downs to sheer shirred tea dresses, Burberry draped tartan across outerwear and suiting, and Erdem mixed the print with florals and embroidery instead of leaving it alone. Daniel Lee went full garnet and navy on fur-trimmed tartan coats. Not a lumberjack in sight. The secret to staying out of flannel territory? Elevated staples with feminine silhouettes and clean tailoring. Classic palettes (camel, navy, garnet, charcoal), refined patterns (windowpane, glen plaid, houndstooth), and fabrics with enough weight to hold their shape season after season. Ahead, 35 plaid pieces that prove "timeless" can still feel fresh, zero flannel clichés required. This article may contain affiliate links or paid partnerships. We may earn a commission or compensation at no extra cost to you. All products are chosen independently by our editorial team and reflect our genuine recommendations. Plaid tops The plaid shirt is having a moment again, but the styling rules have changed. If you're going oversized, balance it with something fitted and keep the palette anchored in neutrals. Better yet, skip the borrowed-from-the-boys cut entirely and go for a tailored blouse, a corseted tank, or a top with feminine details. LOFT Plaid Ruffle Neck Blouse, $28 Amanda Uprichard Andreina Top in Academy Plaid, $180 Shopbop House of Sunny Check Ruched Top, $143 Bohme Marta Smocked Blouse in Olive, $55 ASTR the Label Alyssa Ruffle Collar Top, $109 Plaid jackets The piece that makes the rest of your closet look expensive is the plaid jacket. My personal favorite is the plaid trench (cropped or longline), especially if it has a cape detail , and especially if it's reversible. And if you're looking for something for the office, a checked blazer goes over jeans, trousers, or a slip skirt without any thought at all. Damson Madder Reversible Jerry Crop Trench Coat, $300 Anthropologie NVLT Plaid Double-Breasted Blazer, $178 Bohme Emerson Plaid Cropped Trench Coat, $89 Bohme Ivy Plaid Jacket, $89 VICI Collection Darling Rosebud Floral Plaid Blazer, $84 A&F Carrie Long Trench Coat, $170 Plaid bottoms This is where plaid earns its keep. A pleated midi that moves, tapered trousers that hit right at the ankle, or the mini skirt that shows off all the work you did on toning and tanning your legs this summer. Pair it with a slim knit and tall boots. VICI Collection Macani Plaid Mini Skort, $58 Show Me Your Mumu Ginny Mini Skort, $138 VICI Collection Regina Cotton Plaid Maxi Skirt, $64 Sezane Martin Crop Trousers, $165 Mint Velvet Navy Checked Wide Leg Trousers, $210 Plaid dresses Proof that a check can be flirty. Look for feminine silhouettes and sweet details. A drop-waist mini or a silky midi reads polished, not costume. Let the print do the talking and keep shoes and jewelry understated. VICI Collection Soft Autumn Plaid Mini Dress, $74 Show Me Your Mumu Dasha Dress, $188 Moon River Smocked Lace Insert Midi Dress, $114 Abercrombie & Fitch High Neck Button-Embellished Mini Dress, $90 Bohme Hayes Plaid Denim Dress, $79 Plaid two-piece sets Matching sets take the guesswork out of a print this loud. A fitted top with coordinating pants or shorts, or a workout set you can wear beyond the gym , reads as intentional in a way separates sometimes don't. MeMe's Boutique The Jane Plaid Set, $186 Altar'd State Madelynne Plaid Romper, $78 Altar'd State Marin Plaid Asymmetrical Top, $54 and Handkerchief Midi Skirt, $78 Active by Abercrombie YPB studioFLEX Double-Layered Tank, $50 and 7/8-Length Legging, $70 Plaid accessories The lowest-commitment entry point, and the one I reach for most. Plaid bags have been all over street style this season, and a checked scarf or headband gives you the print in a dose small enough to wear with everything you already own. Hill House Home The Cleo Headband, $50 Ann Taylor Weekend Plaid Headband, $30 Anthropologie Plaid Sherpa Triangle Scarf, $48 Quince Mongolian Cashmere Tartan Scarf, $82 JCPenney Frye and Co. Rory Satchel, $45 Plaid shoes A plaid ballet flat, Mary Jane, or boot elevates an all-black outfit. Keep the rest of the look solid and let your feet be the interesting part. Bohme Geneva Plaid Mule, $90 Jack Rogers Maddy Pump, $148 Ann Taylor Plaid Buckle Flat, $159 DSW Journee Carrie Mary Jane Flat, $45 Belk Sugar Pepa Boots, $54 Want more fall fashion inspiration? Shop The Only Sweaters Worth Buying This Fall, Sorted by Shape .