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Plaid skirt outfits: 11 different ways to wear the look

Incorporate the patterned staple into your wardrobe this season

A Fashion Week guest a plaid skirt with a vibrant open collar top

Content Writer

Updated: July 6, 2023Jul 6, 2023, 4:31 PM GMT+1

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What do preppy kids, grunge girlies and stylish Scots have in common? An everlasting love affair with plaid, of course. And now, thanks to Bottega Veneta, we're eager to get in on the action too.

Is plaid in style for 2023?

Kate Moss walking the runway in a blue plaid shirt — Bottega Veneta SS23

Plaid is nothing new, in fact, it has been around for centuries. But who could deny the power of creative director Matthieu Blazy's "perverse banality" SS23 runway show which saw Kate Moss clad in a powdery blue lumberjack shirt, looking as though she had spent all day hackings logs and lounging on a veranda? It's a total vibe – not us, that's for sure.

Plaid has also been doing the street style rounds, with many fashion insiders rocking up to shows in pleated versions of all lengths, many with dual-buckle detailing. Rich in history, plaid has a certain dependable cosiness about it, making it the perfect pattern to add into your current wardrobe.

What looks good with a plaid skirt?

Plaid and tartan skirts are hugely versatile, all we suggest is that you swerve dark V-neck jumpers and classic white shirts to avoid getting mistaken for a rebellious truant.

Otherwise, the world is your oyster – we love the sultry hint of a glossy knee or thigh-high boot through a side split, but if sports luxe is more your vibe, it's impossible to go wrong with a colourful retro-inspired trainer.

Which tops to wear with plaid skirts?

This summer, we can't get enough of the cool-girl waistcoat. Style yours with a pleated mini, or consider an oversized knitted vest for maximum preppy vibes. On the other hand, if something more heavy-duty is required – no shame in that – we are all about plush off-the-shoulder knits and blazers featuring plaid in a contrasting colour way.

Wanting to give your current wardrobe a plaid-themed overhaul? Keep scrolling…

How we chose the pieces

After combing through the street style galleries, we scoured the internet's top fashion sites, taking into account style, price point and quality, to help you recreate the fashion set-adored plaid look.

Hello! Fashion shares our favourite ways to wear a plaid skirt:

With a playful knit

Emili Sindlev rocks a plaid mini skirt alongside a graphic short-sleeved knit — Emili Sindlev rocks hers alongside a graphic short-sleeved knit

With a utilitarian bomber

Georgia Moot wears a plaid skirt with a green bomber jacket — Georgia Moot styles hers with a green bomber jacket

Pleated checked wool mini skirt - Burberry

For a failsafe entry into plaid, Burberry is your style saviour. Featuring the British label's instantly recognisable heritage check, this piece is crafted from wool and boasts a thick, double buckle waistband. Steeped in nostalgia, it would look amazing styled with an understated white tee and a classic tube-socks-and-loafers combo if you're feeling preppy.

£840 AT NET-A-PORTER

With a bold open collar top

With a matching jacket

Xenia Adonts wears a plaid skirt with a tailored jacket and a micro top-handle bag — Xenia Adonts styles hers with a tailored jacket and a micro top-handle bag

With sharp tailoring

A Fashion Week guest wears hers with a slate grey blazer

With a beautiful, flattering cut, Maje's green and white midaxi skirt has a certain effortless appeal. And yet, if styled up a notch with a sharply tailored blazer and no-nonsense snakeskin boots, it would exude major polish.

£239 AT MAJE

With a cable-knit sweater and a belted coin purse

A Fashion Week guest a plaid skirt with a puff-sleeve cable knit sweater — A Fashion Week guest styles hers with a puff-sleeve cable knit sweater

With an asymmetric knit and retro frames

Julia Comil styles a plaid skirt with an off-the-shoulder knit — Julia Comil styles hers with an off-the-shoulder knit

With loungewear and combat boots

Yoyo Cao rocks a plaid mini skirt with a black hoodie and lace-up boots — Yoyo Cao rocks hers with a black hoodie and lace-up boots

With tights and kitten heels

A Fashion Week guest wears a plaid skirt with a matching frilly jacket and dusty blue tights — A Fashion Week guest teamed hers with a matching frilly jacket and dusty blue tights

Button-embellished pleated checked wool-blend tweed mini skirt - Alessandra Rich

Created from a weighty wool-blend tweed, Alessandra Rich's pale blue mini skirt features inverted pleats and glitzy button detailing. With a low-rise waistband, the style feels suitably 90s, very contemporary Cher Horowitz. Plus, the label even offers a matching jacket for a maximum impact co-ord moment.

£620 AT NET-A-PORTER

With chunky thigh-high boots

Mara Lafontan wears a plaid skirt with a matching cropped jacket — Mara Lafontan styles hers with a matching cropped jacket

With a vintage-style jacket and Mary Janes

Emmanuelle Koffi teams a plaid skirt with a cream tailored jacket — Emmanuelle Koffi teams hers with a cream tailored jacket

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