How to Style Plaid Pants for Women?

Are you wondering how to wear plaid pants stylishly? What shoes should you choose to pair with them? How can you accessorize them?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often recommend plaid pants to women looking for an outfit that is simple and chic, yet still a bit unique.

In this comprehensive guide, I invite you to explore why this garment is so versatile and how to pair it with other pieces in your wardrobe to achieve a look that suits you perfectly!

A pair of plaid pants can be paired with a solid top (crop top, t-shirt, blouse) or even a plaid top in the same print for a striking high-fashion look. This also applies to coats and jackets that you can wear with plaid pants: a matching print will be very trendy, but you can also keep it classic with a simple long coat or go bold with a black leather jacket. When it comes to shoes, mix up the materials with your plaid pants by opting for black leather booties, Converse sneakers, or chic monochromatic sandals!

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• How plaid pants became a trend,
• What to wear them with no matter your style,
• Outfit suggestions suitable for every season,
• Shoe examples that will pair perfectly with plaid pants,
• And ideas for accessories to enhance your look!

The Plaid Pattern: A Brief History of a Timeless Print

Like polka dots, plaid patterns are among those classic motifs that we have seen worn by our parents and grandparents. Their history actually dates back several centuries! Let’s explore together how plaid prints became the international sensation they are today.

Plaid or Tartan?

Checked patterns are sometimes referred to as tartan: however, there is a difference between these two fabrics, even though the former has its origins in the latter. Tartan refers to the various types of distinct patterns worn by Scottish clans for many centuries, which allowed them to recognize one another.

Plaid patterns date back to the 16th century, when British manufacturers began to draw inspiration from tartan to create similar designs. Writings from 1538 reference these prints, which were then highly favored by the nobility.

The Second Half of the 20th Century: The Rise of Plaid as a Fashion Trend

After being exported to Europe and the United States, plaid patterns gradually became a classic motif in clothing fabrics. However, things changed in the 1970s when this print underwent a transformation: moving from a design seen as traditional and rustic, it became fashionable and took on a trendy and elegant connotation. It started appearing everywhere, notably worn by Queen of England Elizabeth II on several occasions.

In the 1980s, the punk movement reclaimed plaid by sporting it in a grunge style, often with torn jeans. Continuing this spirit of rebellion, the 1990s turned plaid into one of the defining symbols of grunge fashion. It became ubiquitous in the clothing styles of iconic bands of the time, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and The Breeders.

Today: When and How to Wear Checkered Pants in the 2020s?

Today, plaid patterns are still in style and have even seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the hipster trend, bringing them back into the spotlight.

Wearing plaid pants instantly adds style to your outfit, while maintaining a slightly unconventional and rebellious vibe that allows you to express your personality. They can serve as a chic detail in a casual outfit when paired with a relaxed top, or they can be very stylish, even haute couture, in a complete look.

What Top to Wear with Checkered Pants?

The choice of top you wear with your plaid pants will define your style: to help you find what matches you, I’ve put together a short list of the different options available to you in the following lines.

A crop top

Wearing a crop top with plaid pants will give you a youthful and energetic vibe. I recommend pairing it with high-waisted pants to create balance with the cropped style of the top. Heels will also be a great addition to complete this look.

👉 If you have wider hips or thighs and want to draw attention to your upper body with this look, opt for a dark plaid pattern.

A White Blouse

This classic piece is versatile, making it suitable for most settings:

🔸 For a professional look, tuck your blouse into your pants.

🔸 For a more casual look, you can tuck the blouse out of your pants or open a few buttons to create a neckline.

If you want to achieve a more unique and polished look, don’t hesitate to pair your blouse with a wide belt that matches the color of your shoes, for example.

A Solid T-Shirt

Plaid patterns are quite striking on their own, adding style effortlessly. When paired with a solid color t-shirt, plaid pants will truly stand out and become the focal point of your outfit. For a chic look, opt for a neutral color like black, white, gray, or brown.

👉 The color of your t-shirt should reflect one of the tones in your pants, ideally in a subtle way.

A Matching T-Shirt

If you love wearing trendy outfits that make a statement, don’t hesitate to pair your plaid pants with a matching patterned t-shirt. To create a chic style, the prints should match exactly and not just be similar, or you risk breaking the high-fashion vibe of your look.

👉 To avoid the “overalls” effect, feel free to break up your outfit with a belt, tuck your top into your pants, or choose a short top, like a crop top.

A Cable Knit Sweater

Looking for a warm and cozy outfit that still looks classy? Pair your plaid pants with an oversized, cable-knit sweater. By creating a color connection between your sweater and pants, and opting for a more fitted pair of pants, you’ll achieve a cute and stylish look.

A Solid Cardigan

No matter what you’re wearing, a cardigan is a reliable choice to give your outfit a look that is both classic and cute, allowing you to wear it in any situation. It’s also a great option if you need to stay warm while being free to move: by rolling up the sleeves of your cardigan, you won’t risk staining your outfit or damaging it.

A Graphic T-Shirt

When we talk about a graphic t-shirt, we mean any t-shirt with a design on it, which is usually located on just a part of the garment and appears only once. Otherwise, it refers to a pattern or print, such as checkered designs, polka dots, or floral patterns.

Wearing this type of t-shirt with your plaid pants is possible, as long as the shirt features a color that appears in your pants. The design or message on the t-shirt allows you to express your uniqueness, while still looking chic and stylish with the plaid pants.

What Coat or Jacket to Wear with Plaid Pants?

Want to wear plaid pants this winter? Just like choosing your top, selecting a jacket is also a crucial step in putting together your outfit. Here are some options that will pair perfectly with plaid pants:

• A matching blazer with the same pattern as your pants for a very chic tailored look,
• A leather biker jacket to highlight the grunge aspect of the plaid pants mentioned in the first part of this guide,
• A simple ¾-length straight coat in a neutral color for a stylish and elegant look in any situation.

What shoes to wear with checkered pants?

Once you’ve selected your clothes, it’s time to choose the pair of shoes that will elevate your plaid pants. These pants are quite easy to match and go well with most shoe styles: it will be the way you wear your shoes that helps define your style.

• with ballet flats for a cute preppy look,
• with low-top sneakers for a youthful and modern vibe,
• in a grunge style with high-top sneakers, like Converse,
• chic and sexy with high-heeled pumps,
• stylish with ankle boots.

🛑 The plaid pattern looks best when it’s fully visible, so I recommend avoiding any tall shoes that cover the pants and hide the design (like over-the-knee boots or knee-high boots) whenever possible.

👉 While plaid pants can be paired with many types of shoes, they don’t always look great with bold colors like bright red, yellow, or teal. For a polished look, it’s better to opt for neutral colors such as black, leather brown, gray, beige, or white.

What Accessories to Choose to Elevate Your Checkered Pants?

Accessories are the final touch to your look! They help highlight the rest of your outfit, so they should be chosen carefully. When wearing plaid pants, mixing materials can be a great solution: smooth leather, for example, will contrast beautifully with the patterns of your pants and add elegance to your outfit.

You can, for example, wear:

• a wide belt,
• an elegant handbag,
• a beret-style hat here,
• sunglasses…

👉 Think about matching your accessories by choosing the same materials (or materials with similar characteristics) or by coordinating your accessories with the color of your plaid pants to create a pleasing tonal effect.

I hope this comprehensive guide on plaid pants has helped you embrace this iconic clothing piece in your wardrobe and especially in your everyday outfits.

If you’re looking for stylish and unique clothing to define your look, be sure to check out our online boutique dedicated to bohemian fashion. Throughout the year, we handpick chic and one-of-a-kind pieces, such as our collection of tops, where you’re sure to find the perfect match for your plaid pants!

Tunic and blouse