How I’m Making Classic Plaid Look Current and Cool for Fall 2025

I have always been a plaid girl. I even liked the checked kilts I wore as part of my second-grade school uniform. As a tween, my ideal dressed-up outfit was a preppy plaid skirt, an Oxford shirt, knee socks, and suede clogs.

Fast-forward from middle school to now, and plaid remains a staple in my closet. It’s orderly yet relaxed, nostalgic yet irreverent. One part British punk rebellion, one part collegiate charm, a hint of countryside romance—all at once. Designers have, on occasion, shown the subversive, edgy side of plaid. On the Fall 2025 runways, timeless tartan felt modern on slouchy plaid trousers paired with minimalist tanks, sharply tailored blazers in unexpected colorways—icy lavender, butter yellow, electric blue—and (one of my favorites) styled with lace.

Larissa Mills wearing plaid outfits

(Image credit: Larissa Mills)

The key to a fresh-feeling fall plaid outfit comes down to embracing the pattern’s contradictions: You might think of the print as reserved for cozy December flannels, but it’s actually fall’s most versatile pattern—one that feels equally at home in a small downtown coffee shop as it does on the street at New York Fashion Week. Style it with intention, and don’t be afraid to mix it with polka dots, stripes, lace, and knits. This playful juxtaposition signals confidence and individuality—traits that define the modern wardrobe.

So, yes, plaid will always feel at home by the fire with a cup of tea. But it feels just as relevant on a city sidewalk, a night out, or even a Zoom meeting. Here’s how I wear a print that’s more essential than ever.