Monday, September 21, 2015

How to Wear and Mix Plaids

Plaid is everywhere this season.  Flannel shirts were very popular last season, but this season plaids have escalated to the top for the most popular print.  Don't believe me?  Take a trip to your local mall:  you will see every store inundated with plaids!  Plaid shirts, plaid dresses, plaid pants, plaid ponchos, plaid, plaid, plaid.

I spent a few hours at my local mall last week trying on various plaid items.  Like everyone else, I've fallen in love with the comfort and coziness of this print.  I tried on numerous plaid items;  and I found that not everything plaid worked for me.  I really wanted a plaid shirt dress.  I found one that looked great on a hanger, but when I put in on my body it looked like I was wearing my pajamas.  

I found that the color of the plaid item often determined if the item worked for me or not.  Lighter, pastel-colored plaids tend to look more pajama-like.  Prints that were too red came across farm-ish or looking like a lumber jack.  And I also couldn't determine if a plaid item would work for me just by looking at in on a hanger.  I really had to try it on!

So when I finally found this plaid shirt at J.C. Penney, I was hesitant to get too excited before I tried it on.  It isn't flannel.  It is made of a polyester/georgette material.  It is over sized, with a dropped shoulder,  and, my favorite part: it is super long!  It covers my butt!  Yeah! I'm always looking for tops that cover my butt so I can wear them with leggings and tall boots.  But they are super hard to find, and I usually just end up wearing short dresses as tunics.


 I really fell in love with this top.  It was so comfortable, and I thought I would get a lot of wear out of it all winter long.  My only complaint is that they didn't have my usual size, so I had to buy a bigger size. It could be a tad smaller on me, but I wasn't willing to pass this up, so I bought it anyway.


 Originally I planned on wearing this top with black faux leather leggings, but on this day I chose grey skinny jeans instead.  It is so versatile, because of the style and color, that I think I could wear it with just about anything.


Because the top is so big and baggy, I wore something tighter or more form fitting on my bottom.   That is why I chose skinny jeans.

The top is a little on the sheer side, so I added a tank underneath.  There are buttons on the neckline, so if I didn't want the tank to show, I'd have the option of buttoning it up.



To keep the outfit from looking too relaxed like I just stepped outside in my p.j.s,  I wore great dressy booties, a pretty black and white butterfly necklace (made it myself), and I carried a chic bucket bag (old, Express).


I also bought new booties on this shopping trip.  I know.  I have a problem.  I think I own five pairs of black boots now, and I don't know how many black shoes!  BUT, most of my black booties are either heels that I can't walk long distances in, or flats.  I wanted a pair of booties that had a heel, so they looked dressier, but I could still walk in them.  And these booties were the answer to my prayers!  The heel is thick and chunky, so I have my lift, but I can walk in comfort with them for hours!


They are by Liz Claiborne, sold at JCP!  And as always, I got a great deal on them.


The booties were originally $100, and were on sale for $59.00.  I had $15.00 rewards points on my JCP account, plus I had a $10.00 coupon on my phone, so I got them for $36.00!  Not bad, eh?

With fall being a transitional season, the mornings are colder than the daytime temperatures.  It was only 50 degrees when I left my home in the morning, so I started the day with a black vest (last season JCP) and a black and grey plaid scarf.

Many people wouldn't think of wearing two plaid items in one outfit, but it works because the plaids are in the same color range.


By mid-morning the scarf and vest came off for the temperatures rose to 72 degrees.


I did think the plaid print and over-sized style of the shirt added a few pounds to my frame; but keeping the lower half of my body "skinny" with tight fitting jeans helped.  


The shirt is also available in red if your interested.  I chose this color because I already own a red flannel shirt.

Have a great day!  Amy

Linking up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!


19 comments:

  1. $36 is such a steal for those booties! I agree that picking out plaid can be very hard but this one looks perfect. I love the blue plaid shirts a lot as well. Have a fantastic day, my friend!

    --Samantha

    http://www.BesosFromAmerica.com

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  2. I really want to get a red plaid shirt and a red plaid vest this fall... is that too much red plaid?! ;) I love this shirt, especially that is is longer and can be worn under leggings and with tall boots- that will be so fun! It looks great how you styled it here, too!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  3. I definitely agree that not all plaids are created equally! Though I don't steer clear from the traditional red or the pastels, I feel they can be done well, but it certainly takes the right color combo, fit, and outfit pairings! I think your top is a good find! Carylee | http://morepiecesofme.com

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  4. You are so right Carylee, that's why I repeatedly said "what was right for me" in my post. I've seen lots of red plaids and pastel plaids on other women and I loved the look on them, but on me, not so much.

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  5. Carrie, I actually do own a red plaid shirt I bought last year. A traditional red flannel shirt isn't right for "me", love it on others but on me I feel like a lumberjack, but the one I own has black lace on the sleeves so it works for me. I mean, how many lumberjacks do you see wearing black lace red flannel shirts? :)

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  6. Amy, the plaid on plaid is a great mix!! I am going to try to duplicate your idea in some fashion. The longer the better is how I look at ALL my tops these days:)

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  7. This is a great plaid shirt and I love how you have styled it with your skinny jeans and booties, the vest and the scarf are great additions too.
    Nora
    www.jacketsociety.com

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  8. I'm in love with the layers of plaid and those boots are awesome! Honestly, i would have never thought to mix plaid but you make it look really nice. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks so much for linking up at the Something to Talk About link party, Coco

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  9. Love this look! Can't wait to recreate it myself once I get the new plaid top I purchased!

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane

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  10. What a great deal on those booties! Love the mixing of plaid with your top and scarf too!

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  11. What a stylish look! I love the color of your plaid with the color of your jeans. Plaid is sooo good. I'm glad it's sticking around.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  12. Perfect casual outfit! The boots and bucket bag is so fab.

    ~xo Sheree
    http://poshclassymom.com
    IG: @poshclassymom

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  13. You definitely know how to mix and match patterns! This looks great, definitely the perfect fall uniform.

    www.jerseygirltexanheart.com

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  14. Such a cool plaid look! Keeping the color schemes similar was a great idea when mixing the two!

    XO,
    Michelle Paige
    michellespaige.com

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  15. I have to admit, I personally am not a big fan of plaids prints, but the outfit looks great on you. Might have to get a plaid accessory like a scarf or purse, since it's in season this year. I used to have a plaid scarf but lost it...

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  16. Great plaid shirt find! Grey is such a versatile color. I love that you got the bigger size shirt. I love my plaid shirts loose, not form fitting!
    Thanks for linking up with us
    Betsy
    http://www.twopeasinablog.com

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  17. I agree that finding the perfect plaid is difficult! I actually bought a plaid dress a few years ago and then never wore it because I felt like I was wearing a nightgown. I just bought a plaid dress that I really like, though! I can't wait to wear it! Thanks for linking-up with Carrie, Casey and me!

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  18. I like this plaid mixed with the grey skinnies and boots, nice combo.
    Rachel xo
    Garay Treasures

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