Plaid never goes out of style, so it is a good thing to incorporate into a wardrobe, especially if you are on the traditional side. Lately, designers have thrown us off “KILT-er” with their modern twist on plaids. We’re seeing oversized checks, unusual silhouettes, atypical plaid fabrics, and bold and brightly colored plaid.
If you are not convinced that the plaid you’ve seen on the runway can translate into your everyday life, check out these more wearable plaids that still have a modern look and feel. 
1) Bell Sleeve Plaid Tops are New
Your basic plaid shirt can sometimes look a little masculine, so if you are a gal who likes a feminine touch, then take a look at this. This pretty plaid incorporates a flowy bell sleeve and touches of pink to give you a more romantic vibe. This is different, it’s pretty, and it’s practical for your daily life too. You can shop in this, go out to dinner and look relaxed but current too.
2) Boyfriend Jacket Plaids Have a Modern Feel
Many plaid jackets are very serious and stiff and more suited for the corporate workplace. Here designers have taken your classic work jacket and softened it up by giving it a boyfriend silhouette. Just toss it on with your favorite skinny jeans, add a white tee and roll up the sleeves for a relaxed but polished outfit. Classy accessories give this outfit a moneyed look.
3) Colorful Plaids Rule
Bright, bold plaids in the most eyepopping combinations of colors showed up on the runways but that doesn’t mean you may want that in real life. All designers are saying is that colored plaid is in and to have some fun.
This head turning red and black wrap blouse is just what they mean. This is a blouse that is traditional but doesn’t feel it because of that bold pop of red combined with the sexy plaid wrap silhouette. Red is the color of confidence and you will sure look like a boss lady wearing this stunning red plaid blouse with these leather leggings.
3) Semi-Sheer Plaids are Different
If you’ve never worn plaid because it looked and felt too heavy for your taste, then you may be attracted to the plaid done in a semi-sheer fabric. This is an interesting twist and one that is very popular especially for gals who are looking for something a little bit different from everyone else.
This particular plaid blouse combines sheer black and white plaid fabric with lace in a very feminine way. Wear this blouse with all black to let the lightness of the top be the focus of your outfit.
4) Plaid Scarves in Modern Color Combos are Hot
Traditional plaids come in DARK old world colors like forest green, gold, and burgundy, but these days those color combinations can look pretty drab and dated. Even if, you say you love those colors try to turn the dial to 2018 by choosing a scarf that cranks up the color even just a notch.
For example, here’s a scarf in traditional fall colors that uses teal instead of forest green but turned up a notch. Fringe scarves are a wonderful layering piece and a great way to liven up a plain sweater.
Want to see more modern plaid? Check out these bloggers who are mad about plaid!
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Woohoo!!! This is one old Ozark Farm Chick who is glad I found ya’ll. I just celebrated my last birthday in my fifties last week and this is one gal who can use all the help she can get.
Ya know there ‘ain’t a one of us gettin’ any younger. I like to take my DIL, the Latin Lovin’ Hillbilly or my daughter, The Social Butterfly shoppin’ with me, they’re totally honest if I lean to datin’ myself.
From the amazingly happy hills and holler of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya’ll have a wonderfully blessed and beautiful day now…ya hear? :o)
I have enjoyed your posts on plaids. As a designer, I would offer the following suggestions:
The problem with plaids for over-40’s has nothing to do with age, but everything to do with the woman’s figure. If you have gained that last extraneous 20 lbs., you would do well to keep contrasts in colors soft as in Cute Car Coat. Size of plaid should be small as in Glen Plaid above. Strong horizontal effects as in Painterly Plaid would be better run vertically.
The diagonal effects in Modern Twist are a great way to camouflage figure faults and suggest that we might do well to look for garments where the plaid has been cut on the bias, a treatment that usually results in soft drape and figure hugging shapes.
Another possibility might be to select garments made from plaids cut with slenderizing dark color panels in strategic places. For example, a princess-line dress with the sides cut in a dark solid would push the more slender shapes of a coordinating plaid forward and could actually make a women look slimmer than she is, despite wearing a plaid!
If your figure is anything like those of the young women shown above, then wear plaids as they do, by all means! Get your colors tested by someone certified to do so, and then you only need to worry about wearing plaids in the best colors for you!
Hi Dena,
Right on…I agree with all you all the way ! Thanks for your comments…keep them coming!!