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Pondering plaid?
By Meg | August 29, 2007
Plaid is everywhere right now. While it has long been a popular pattern, it’s now easier than ever to dress in plaid from headband to peep-toe shoes and add a matching bag. While I don’t ever advocate that kind of pattern overload, plaid can be a great way to add color and pattern to an outfit. However, I feel very different about plaid and plaid wearers depending on how it’s worn. So, here’s a summary of what I think on different plaid items.
Plaid Shorts
On men, they remind me of boxers. I used to not like them, but they are finally growing on me. Still, the way they remind me of underwear makes them feel more casual than even denim shorts, though in a preppy way. On girls that can wear them short and get away with them, I think they are cute. With longer shorts, the pattern can be overpowering and bring attention to thicker thighs. I recommend keeping to neutral colors with subtle designs. Also, keep the shorts slim. Baggy granny shorts in plaid can be absolutely awful.
Plaid Long Pants
Honestly, I recommend staying far away from these unless you are absolutely sure that you know what you are doing. Even then, ask for advice from some honest friends.
Plaid Skirts
Depending on the length, plaid skirts go from being ultra-conservative to ultra-sleazy more so than any other pattern. I have had more than a couple, and they have pretty much spanned that same range. The shortest, which I still have, is for ’special occasions’. The longest one, which I no longer own, I wore for an audition at a private university (the same one mentioned in an earlier post about auditions). In fact, one of my most recent purchases was a red plaid skirt, a bit of knee-length, that I wore for my first day of classes this semester.
At or below knee length plaid skirts can be great, but play it up with other pieces to keep from looking too much like a prep school teacher (even if you are one). The longer the skirt, the more you have to play up the other items. Make sure to wear something fitted up top and show a little skin, even if it’s just with a slight v-neck collar. Choose shoes with at least some heel and preferably open-toed. Also, go for a flashier bag and jewelry.
Ultra-mini plaid skirts… well, most ultra-mini skirts look pretty racy. In plaid, they can look particularly sleazy. Save it for the bedroom unless you are really aiming for that look.
Regular plaid mini skirts can be fun, though this is one of the few styles that I like on younger women but not on older women (most styles I like either on both or neither to some extent). Perhaps that is because of how I like to see them worn - as part of an edgy, rather punk ensemble (and punk is hard for older women to wear). To keep from looking either too preppy or too Britney Spears, I recommend going for unexpected combinations that don’t quite fit either stereotype. For instance, going with heels can make a plaid mini skirt too sexy, but going with plain flats can make it too preppy. Solution? Wear ballet flats in a great color or design that doesn’t match the plaid. For tops, avoid anything too revealing on the one hand or too preppy like a white, button-up shirt on the other. With my skirt, I like fitted t-shirts that don’t match the plaid, or fitted blouses in non-matching, non-white colors - particularly ones with interesting details. Accessory-wise, I like to choose things that don’t match the plaid and that are eye-catching rather than subtle. Don’t overdo the accessories, though. Choose just a few accessories, including jewelry, hair accessories, your bag, etc.
Tops
Plaid tops can be cute, but can easily look too country - particularly with older women. Again, even if you’re into country chic, balance it out. Mix it up with very urban chic pieces like a great pair of heels and slacks or trouser-style jeans. Also, wear it in colors other than red or green for a more modern look.
Dresses
This is hard to pull off, in my opinion. I’d stay away from these if you aren’t certain that the dress looks spectacular on you. It’s a lot of plaid to balance out. If you do wear one, go very modern elsewhere as I recommended with plaid tops. As with pants, this might be one where you should really ask some honest friends what they think before wearing.
Accessories
Accessories are my favorite place to put plaid. Plaid headbands, plaid shoes, plaid bags, even plaid earrings - you name it. They are particularly great in uncommon colors (i.e. colors other than green and red). Try pink or purple for a very modern look. Accessories are a great way to add extra color to an outfit without overdoing it. Have fun and don’t worry about matching the plaid to the rest of your outfit or even with other accessories. If you keep everything else rather neutral, a contrasting plaid will really grab attention. Use it to direct attention to a favorite feature of yours, or away from features you’re less than excited about.
Remember, wherever you wear plaid, you can keep it modern by wearing it in non-traditional colors, adding trendy accessories, and wearing trendy cuts and detailing.
Tags: Color, Fashion, Pants, Shoes, Shorts, Style
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August 29th, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I LOVE plaid. (Especially after reading the Outlander books.) I have a pair of plaid pants, but they are subtle, tone-on-tone, like the shorts you pictured.
I noticed that madras, patch-work plaid was popular this summer. This is probably the only plaid I don’t like. It looks like plaid puke.
I can’t get enough of plaid accessories. It’s very tempting to wear them all at once…
August 29th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Kasmira,
I know what you mean about the accessories. I love them, too, and it is tempting, though the result usually is a bit overkill.
I wouldn’t worry about your pants. I know you have a great sense of style and having them tone-on-tone makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, most of the plaid pants I’ve seen out there are absolutely hideous. They tend to look like pajama pants.
I agree with you about madras. Generally speaking, it’s just too loud and busy looking to get away with - anywhere. For a real scare, search for madras on Amazon.com. It’s awful.