Yesterday's outfit was definitely highly experimental and geared towards pushing myself outside my comfort zone.

I don't care for plaid except in small doses (as in scarves and hats). For some reason plaid shirts make me think of one of two things:

1. the 90's grunge movement a la Kurt Cobain
2. Lumberjacks

While I occasionally give a nod to 90s grunge the closest I come to wanting to look like a lumberjack is basic timberland work boots, and I haven't worn those since I left New England years ago (where they worked well for combating the crappy winter weather).

So when I stumbled on this brand new cotton plaid shirt in shades of burgundy, hot fuchsia pink and cream at the thrift store for $5 a few weeks ago I almost passed on it. But I liked the colors in it and in my head those colors were the antithesis of both grunge and lumberjacks (how many lumberjacks have you seen in hot pink?). So for $5 I figured what the hell. Let's give it a shot.

I decided to try an intentional clash by pairing the plaid with a tie dye type camo parka that has a really boho feel to it because it is embellished with embroidery on the back and front edges that have the same shades of burgundy and pink in the design. I added the embroidered leather belt, which also picks up on the reds and pinks to add one more boho element to the unusual mix.

It's not one of my favorites nor is it incredibly flattering because of the boxy volume of the plaid shirt and oversized parka, but it was certainly comfortable and warm -- and the unusual pairing worked a bit better than I might have thought it would when I decided to give it a try.

What do you think? Successful clash or fashion faux pas?

Burgundy colored waffle knit long sleeve t-shirt: Gap (thrifted)
Burgundy, pink, and cream plaid shirt: Otis & MaClain (thrifted)
Dark skinny jeans: J Brand (via ebay)
Burgundy red distressed leather open-sided with buckles ankle boots: Steve Madden (via Zappos)
Boho embroidered leather belt: Lucky Brand (via flea market)
Olive suede and leather bag: lost the label years ago. Bought it at TJ Maxx probably 15 years ago
Tie dye camo parka with embroidery: Free People (via ebay)
Turquoise and pink/purple stone earrings: Gift from BF (his sister made them for him to give to me along with a matching necklace when we first started dating years ago)
Sterling and opal in matrix ring: Vintage 60's modernist (via ebay)