Style Tips and Outfit Ideas for How to Wear Plaid Spring & Summer

This spring and summer, plaid is trending even though it is commonly thought of as a Fall print. Think of it as yet another rule broken in order to create something new. Plaid is not too far off from gingham, so it actually makes some sense when you think about it. In their spring shows, designers have used plaid in lightweight materials in jumpsuits, dresses, tops, skirts, shorts, pants, shoes, bags, etc. You could even try plaid nail art! And a plaid flannel shirt is still wearable in the spring or summer as a jacket for chilly situations. So check out my style tips and outfit ideas for how to wear plaid spring and summer!

The new oversized blazer silhouette patterned in plaid scores you two trends in one right now. I’ve got one from the 80’s that’s open in the front that would be perfect for covering up in air conditioning or on cool nights. No need to restrict a plaid blazer to the office and age doesn’t matter.

I’ve posted over 50 ways to wear a plaid shirt HERE and a Style Tip of the Day on Plaid Love HERE. It’s not that I love plaid, although many people do. But it’s something most Americans have in their closets that can be worn in creative ways. So that’s the real fun of it, to me!

The Zoe Report talked to Arielle Siboni, Women’s Ready-to-Wear Fashion Director at Bloomingdale’s, who said:

“Plaid can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, making it a favorite print of designers. For example, it can be refined in suiting, grungy in knits, and sweet in dresses. Blazers are always an easy and classic way to incorporate plaid into your look…”

Style Tips for Plaid in Spring & Summer

Style Tip #1:  For evening, wrap a big, lightweight plaid scarf or kimono around your shoulders…no matter what you’re wearing — from jeans & a tee to a fancy dress.

Style Tip #2:  When wearing plaid in Spring or Summer, add pops of pink.

Style Tip #3:  Accessorize a plaid shirt with something really special such as a statement necklace, a pile of pearls, sparkly brooch or other bling.

Outfit Ideas for Plaid in Spring & Summer

You can get the most versatility from a plaid shirt, so that’s my focus in this post. To find outfit ideas for a plaid blazer, see my post on that HERE.

Basic Ways to Wear a Plaid Shirt for Spring/Summer

1. Day to Evening:  A cotton or chiffon plaid shirt tucked inside a pencil skirt. Add heels. For evening, wear sparkly jewelry and accessories.
2. A plaid shirt tucked inside a tulle or chiffon skirt. Add sandals/heels.
3. A plaid shirt-dress + flats or strappy sandals.
4. Tie a plaid shirt around the waist of a loose dress.
5. A graphic tee tucked into skinny blue jeans. Tie a plaid shirt around your waist in case you end up needing an extra layer.

6. 

7. A plaid shirt + olive pants. Add green or turquoise jewelry, because turquoise and green go with everything!
8. A plaid shirt + black skinny pants or jeans + animal-print footwear. Add a studded bag + necklaces + bracelets.
9. A plaid shirt open over a lacy camisole or tank top + cargo pants. Add jewelry of choice.
10. Mix a plaid shirt with printed pants, such as striped pants. Just keep at least one color the same to tie together the two prints.
11. A short-sleeve plaid shirt + a flirty skirt.
12. A short-sleeve plaid shirt (or roll up the sleeves of a lightweight plaid shirt) + denim shorts.  Add a necklace and/or moccasins.

    

13. A plaid shirt + jeans + seed pearls.
14. Wear a light-color plaid shirt, such as a pink or cream plaid, with white jeans and silver booties. You might like to add a badass purse.
15. A plaid shirt + distressed jeans + flat nude sandals. Add a few beaded bracelets on one wrist, a gold bangle on the other, and maybe some gold stacking rings.
16. A plaid shirt + jeans + sneakers. Add a glittery statement necklace.
17. A plaid shirt + jeans + a great statement belt.

Wear a Plaid Shirt Open as a Jacket for Spring

1. A tank top + cargo pants + a plaid shirt open as a jacket. Add wooden or metallic beads.
2. A sequin, lace or shimmery tank + a plaid shirt as jacket + a skirt or jeans. Add jewelry of choice.
3. A plaid shirt as jacket + a lace top + blue jeans.  Add delicate jewelry.
4. A plaid shirt as jacket over a black top + black pants + black shoes (or substitute navy or charcoal for black).  Add a necklace.
5. A plaid shirt open over a black tank top + blue jeans. Add a brown belt + bracelets + sunglasses. Or, wear any shell under a plaid shirt + any jeans + jewelry of choice including necklaces, watch, bracelet, earrings, rings.

   

6. A plaid shirt worn open as a jacket over a lightweight tank or tee + bottoms to match one of the colors. Add slip-on sneakers + delicate jewelry.
7. A plaid shirt over a column of color (top and bottom in the same color as one of the colors in the shirt.)
8. A longer-length t-shirt, graphic or solid + skinny pants or leggings + a plaid shirt. Add a long pendant + sneakers.
9. A lacey camisole or tank top + a plaid shirt + khakis.
10. Wear a plaid shirt open as a jacket over a sleeveless top. For instance, you could use a Henley top, striped tank, lace top, sequined, metallic, draped, etc., as your shell top. Pair with any bottoms of your choice.
11. A t-shirt dress + a plaid shirt worn open as a jacket. You might like to wear booties in a light or natural color, maybe perforated or cut-out or peep-toe.

Let’s Connect!

Do you love plaid? Are you going to wear plaid this spring/summer? What outfit ideas do you like best? Please leave your reply below. I would love to hear from you!

Like this post? You might also like to read:

• Your True Self Blog Style Tips Category
• “The Plaid Blazer:  33 Ideas for How to Wear It”
• “Style Tip of the Day:  Plaid Love“
• “From Easy to Awesome:  Over 50 Ways to Wear a Plaid Shirt”

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This post is linked up with Fabulous Friday’s Linkup at Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva and the Fancy Friday Linkup at Nancy’s Fashion Style.

Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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From Easy to Awesome: Over 50 Ways to Wear a Plaid Shirt Style Tip of the Day: Plaid Love Style Tip: How to Take the Most Basic, Laid-Back Outfits to the Top

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Plaid, Plaid Shirt, Spring/Summer