There are certain things that just feel like fall. A good sweater, darker colours, a jacket that you can actually wear outside without freezing, and, of course, plaid.

Plaid always comes back around this time of year, but I think it gets a bit of a bad reputation. It can be very easy to go from cute fall outfit to looking like you have a 9 a.m. lecture and a paper due at midnight.

And while I do love a good academic moment, that’s not exactly what I’m going for.

This fall, I’m much more interested in wearing plaid in ways that feel a little more grown-up, a little more effortless, and a lot more like something I would actually wear.

Start With One Plaid Piece

I think the easiest way to wear plaid is to let one piece do the talking.

A plaid mini skirt with a chunky sweater, plaid trousers with a fitted top and long coat, or even a plaid scarf with an otherwise simple outfit. You don’t need plaid from head to toe. In fact, I think it looks much better when the rest of the outfit gives the print some room to breathe.

There’s something about taking a print that can feel very “fall outfit” and pairing it with pieces you already wear all the time that makes it feel much less predictable.

Make It Feel Less Preppy

Plaid naturally leans a little preppy, which I actually love, but I don’t necessarily want the whole outfit to feel like I’m starring in a school uniform commercial.

So I like pairing it with pieces that pull it in another direction. Think a plaid skirt with a leather jacket, plaid trousers with a delicate top, or a structured plaid piece with something oversized and relaxed.

It’s that little bit of contrast that makes the outfit feel more interesting.

Don’t Be Afraid of a Little Pattern

If you’re someone who normally sticks to solids, plaid can be an easy way to experiment with pattern without feeling like you’re suddenly wearing a completely different wardrobe.

And once you’re comfortable with it, you can even play around with mixing prints. Plaid with stripes, plaid with a subtle floral, or different textures that almost compete with the pattern.

You just have to know when to stop. There is a very fine line between intentional pattern mixing and looking like you got dressed in the dark.

Check Your Closet First

Before deciding you need a new plaid skirt, jacket, scarf and pair of trousers because it’s fall, I’d check your closet first.

There’s a good chance you already own something plaid that you’ve forgotten about. Maybe it’s a scarf you haven’t worn in years, a skirt hiding in the back of your closet, or your dad’s old flannel waiting for its moment.

Fall fashion doesn’t always have to mean buying an entirely new wardrobe. Sometimes it’s just about looking at the clothes you already have a little differently.

And if you do happen to find an old plaid piece in the back of your closet, even better. Nothing like convincing yourself you’re wearing a new trend when you’ve technically owned it for four years.

For me, the key to plaid is making it feel like part of the outfit rather than the entire outfit. I like when it’s one detail that makes the outfit feel finished, whether that’s a skirt, a scarf, a jacket or even a little accessory.

Consider this my permission to bring the plaid back.

Love, Laura