Few things signify the approach of chilly weather like checked details and plaid coats—and both are a fun way to break the mold and do something a little different. Don’t get me wrong, neutral outfits are great, but they can get boring. When you’re craving something that’s less traditional than a camel coat, plaids and checks are an easily solution.
I styled this long plaid coat to give you guys a sense of how just one patterned piece can give a unique spin to an everyday fall outfit. Below, I’m sharing lots more plaid and checked favorites to usher in colder weather in style. Enjoy!
Outfit Details: Wool-Blend Coat, Everlane Sweater (best seller from the fall capsule), Coated Jeans, Boots (similar, less expensive here), Handbag (old, similar here)
This And Other Stories long coat is a chic option for crisp fall days, and it’s woven with tonal-brown checks in a wrap silhouette with pockets. I kept the fitted look of the plaid wool coat going with a simple cashmere long sleeve sweater in ivory from Everlane. These coated brown pants echo brown in the wrap coat, and I tied the look together with my favorite knee-high boots. Much more interesting than the traditional beige, double-breasted coat look, if you ask me!
More Long Plaid Coats
I’ve pinned/bookmarked so many outerwear pieces to share with you this season, but these plaid coats, check coats, plaid jackets, peacoats, and puffer jackets are some of my favorites.
Lightweight Plaid Jackets and Coats
I also threw in a few plaid blazers, plaid trench coats, tartans, cardigans, and plaid shirt jackets for those of you in more mild climates. I love the lapel on this glen plaid double-breasted trench, and this Avec Les Filles jacket is so cute.
Plaid and Check Accessories
Plaid Coat and Jacket FAQ
What do you wear with a plaid coat?
I recommend keeping all eyes on your plaid wool blend coat by keeping all the layers underneath it very simple. That means no patterns and, for me, no bright colors. Try to coordinate your base layers with the colors in the plaid. For example, I’d wear this Theory faux fur collar plaid coat with brown pants and a simple cream sweater.
Are there plaid coat styles I should avoid?
Fun fact: plaid is actually called a ‘heritage’ pattern in the fashion world because it evokes a sense of nostalgia and tradition, right alongside houndstooth. In other words, it tells a story and is timeless—which is what we’re all about around here.
However, I’m personally not a huge fan of the fall trends for women’s plaid coats with plaid prints that are very large, like buffalo plaid. I also don’t like plaid outerwear styles that are less tailored, like hoodies/pullovers, trucker jackets, really oversized coats, and shirt jackets, and plaid tweed always looks a little heavy to me.
Who makes or sells the best plaid coats?
It really depends on the year. My favorites tend to be from Vince, Lauren Ralph Lauren, and Cole Haan. This duster coat by Tahari is beautiful, too. I always check new arrivals by searching ‘plaid coat’ and filtering by ‘women’s clothing’ at ShopStyle.com—it’s a great way to discover coats that are new and/or on sale.
How do you style a plaid blazer?
There are so many ways! Oversized and buttoned up with skinny jeans or leggings, with a midi or maxi skirt, tee, and booties, with a button down, etc. Playing with the button closure can make them even more versatile. I love this option from BB Dakota and shared more plaid blazers from Nordstrom and elsewhere here.
For more fall and winter coat and jacket features, see my faux fur roundup, the 9 lightweight jacket styles I recommend for fall (sherpas, shearlings, etc.), and the best top coats (trench coats) of 2020.
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