Thoughts on Plaid

BrieN

Admiring Angie's lovely outfit recently, I am looking for some help thinking about plaid. As much as it appeals to my sense of style and love of pattern, I don't buy it as I am worried about it not being flattering on me. I am 5'4" and pretty curvy. Perhaps if I could find an item where the overall impression is more vertical than horizontal? What if the item is very tailored? How do I balance it out? Should this just be something I skip?

8 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from BrieN

Colette

Veteran

If you like plaid I think you should try it. I am not a print, stripes or plaid person but I was drawn to a plaid flannel shirt last fall. I wore it all the time and loved it. I'm also around your same height and a pear so I don't think you should worry about that. I've worn it loose, tucked and semi tucked, under a sweater, layered over a turtle neck and tee, and paired it with skinnies and slightly flared boot cuts. Moto boots, simple tall boots and heels. Basically just treated it as a normal button down shirt.

Banana Republic

Soft-Wash Bold Plaid Boyfriend Shirt

$69.50 $29.99

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8 years ago

Anonymous

You could wear a 3/4 length coat over a plaid shirt so there's a bit of plaid but the overall impression is vertical.

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Oh how I love plaid! The Hilfiger plaid dress is a favorite of mine, and I think the bold red section of plaid that runs down the center draws the eye downward. The muted plaid and the length of the Gap tunic also helps to keep the eye focused on the vertical.

Macy's

Tommy Hilfiger Plaid V-Neck Sweater Dress

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Gap

Factory checkered shirtdress

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8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

if you love it, try it….there's all kinds of plaids, try on all kinds of different size plaids…try different cuts….i'm willing to bet that with a little investment of time (and maybe some waiting on UPS, 'cause you may need to resort to online buying) you'll be able to find something.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ANY body type can wear plaid. REALLY, and thanks for the kind words about my outfit, Brie.

If you're worried about plaid in any way, simply choose a pattern and colour contrast that is less bold and more low contrast. You can even go for a smaller size of check.

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Definitely try a more tonal kind of plaid -- I tend to like ones best that are not high contrast. I think anyone can wear plaid, just choose colors you love that will work well with your wardrobe!

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Maybe skip collared plaid shirts unless they're longer like in the pic above... Plaid is fab

8 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Don't worry, plaid won't make you look short. I think it works for everybody. If you want a pattern that isn't quite so bold, you could always choose a low-contrast plaid, like those ones you see with dark greens and blacks.

8 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments. I guess I'm hearing that it's trial and error and that there isn't a secret handbook on how to wear plaid. I will look for plaids that are a bit restrained, very good advice. I also learned to go ahead and buy the item I'm thinking about -- the cute plaid pants I was considering sold out as I was pondering them

8 years ago

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