Plaid Shirts? - YouLookFab Forum

I have to admit, I really loved Angie's "Rugged Classics for a Walk in the Woods" outfit post last month, and have been wondering about plaid shirts ever since.

I've found a shirt that is somewhat similar on Amazon, and was thinking of ordering it, but it's so far from my "norm" that I'm having second thoughts. I think I have a tendency to "bat for team dressy" as it were, and yet - 75% of the time, my life is *very* casual. Meanwhile, I don't think I've owned a plaid shirt since I was about 16, and I'm in my 40's now. I'm afraid of looking silly or too junior-ish or something along those lines. Usually, if I manage to step outside my comfort zone a wee bit, it's with something more dressy, rather than casual items.

As a result, my casual wardrobe is extremely boring, for the most part.

Do you wear plaid shirts? How can I wear one without looking like a lumberjack or feeling like I'm looking a bit 'off' in the sense that it's not my usual type of item to wear? I don't have slouchy skinnies or rugged boots. I do have some skinny and straight-cut jeans, but even those look fairly polished. I also have some boyfriend jeans, but haven't managed to figure out how to wear them in the winter (likely due to said lack of rugged boots).

Thing is? I don't particularly want to look rugged. I just want some newer, more interesting things in my casual wardrobe.

I was thinking of this one via Amazon (shown in pic #2 below):

http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuar.....uary+shirt

What do we think?

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I think doable, and plaid and flannel are very nice for a mostly casual lifestyle. Angie too usually bats for team dressy, but on her,Mather fit was perfect. I think it is really the fit that will make this piece looks more polished.

But then, I was teen in the 90s so I remember docs and plaid shirts well!

deb

I was not sure I wanted to get back into plaid either so I got one from Old Navy on sale. It has become one of my winter favorites.

velvetychocolate

Thank you! Deb, that was also my rationale for ordering something on sale from Amazon...just dipping my toes into the idea.

And Thistle, you make a good point - it will all depend on the fit of the shirt.

Hmm...I might just try it anyway. If worse comes to worst, I have another shirt I can wear around the house or up at the cabin..:)

amiable

I tried them about the time that Angie posted that outfit (one of my favs too), and fell in love. Now I'm reliving my youth wearing all the plaid that I can find. And I love it, and want more!

JulieJohn

I am all for plaid, and I think your other items will dress it up nicely. It is one pattern that seems at home in both rustic (country) and a dressy (city) looks. Think of a huntsman look, like riding to hounds, and add a dash of dapper plaid. It really goes nicely. Maybe with some polished riding boots? I look forward to seeing what you do with plaid.

Beth Ann

I think it sounds like this is a look you should try on for size. One reasonably priced shirt might open up another great formula for your "real" life!

I think YLF'ers are "onto" me, somehow (even though I never post pictures, and that's because I'm way too shy and awkward). Meanwhile, it's true that I have a closet full of pencil skirts, nice blouses, dresses, dress pants, dressy pumps and so on. And yet...my real life is quite casual most of the time. No wonder I never feel all that 'fab.'

Ok - I will try a plaid shirt - in a desperate attempt to liven up my casual wardrobe a wee bit. I do have some dressier-looking flat black riding boots, and dark-wash skinny jeans. Maybe that will help me feel less "off", given that I prefer dressed-up over 'rugged'.

Thank you so much for the encouragement - much appreciated!

Aziraphale

I have three plaid shirts, and I never look particularly rugged. Casual, yes. At least some of the time. In the winter, the way I wear mine is to pair them, untucked, with skinny jeans stuffed into BBC Radio boots:

http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w.....ourID=3479

They are workboot-like, but not rugged lumberjack boots. I usually wear very dark denim skinnies, because I find that lighter colours -- such as gray or mid-blue denim -- paired with plaid can look a little *too* casual for me.

In the summer, I pair the plaid shirts (which are fairly light cotton, by the way, not flannel) with rolled-up jeans and Converse Chuck Taylors. Black with white trim. Relaxed and cute, no lumberjacks in sight.

ETA: I should mention that I usually wear a heather gray cotton cami underneath the plaid shirt, and only generally do up three or four buttons. Sometimes I tuck in part, but never all, of the shirt.

Thank you Elisabeth! I do have a couple of pairs of Converse (black with white trim, and also *purple* with the usual white trim). I have to agree with you in that I have a slight aversion to the idea of pairing a plaid shirt with faded denim....a little too much 'casual' for me.

Maybe not so much in spring/summer, but in winter, I can't quite meld "plaid shirt" with "faded jeans" without feeling like a logger or something along those lines.

I'll just order up one of these shirts and pair it with dark wash skinnies/straight cut jeans, and if my boots/booties are a little more refined-looking, then too bad.

I will try the grey camisole idea in spring/summer, with Cons and rolled-up pants. Thank you! I really appreciate your advice on this one

Diana

I love my plaid shirt, and yes it is flannel. But it is distinctly non-lumberjack colors (mustard, turquoise, and tomato (sounds hideous but it's not, I promise) and has a high-low hem (which makes it more current). And, yes, I wear it with my Docs.

I love my plaid shirts with my pencil skirts. It casualizes (made up word) them and I wear them more. Try the shirt, skirt, tights, and flats and wear them to the grocery store.

You made me laugh Diana - with the "non lumberjack colours" suggestion And the high-low hem sounds like a good idea too (to be even more current). Thank you for chiming in on how *not* to look like a country bumpkin

Deb - are you saying that I could potentially combine a plaid shirt with a dressier looking skirt? See, this is what I'm missing - this juxtaposition of extreme casual with some dressier pieces. I have lots of dressier pieces, but my 'casual' wardrobe is a disaster (to put it mildly).

Hmmm....great food for thought - perhaps I could actually pair one of my dressier pencil skirts with a plaid shirt, some tights and tall flat boots.

Ok - now I'm excited!

Amy

(website)

I don't think plaid automatically reads as casual. The cut and fabrication make a huge difference. Boxy flannel plaid shirts would definitely be casual, but there are more shapely, refined versions.

tayleigh

Active Member

I have one plaid shirt but it is a dark green with red highlights and it's been turning out to be surprisingly versatile! I've worn it with pencil skirts, miniskirts, full twirly skirts, with jeans, and under a sleeveless sweaterdress. I agree with Deb above - the plaid shirt does a really great job at casualizing pencil skirts. The one you've linked looks lovely!

Mander

I have a soft spot for plaid flannel shirts, although I don't currently own one that is wearable. I bought a cute one with slightly western styling on ebay a while ago but it's too small to be comfortable, sadly, and I have a men's version that I bought on super clearance sale intending to alter it to fit but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I like the idea of wearing it in a sort of equestrian outfit, with skinny jeans and riding boots, and maybe a tweedy jacket.

Category