Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fashion Inspiration - Pure Plaidness

Plaid is yet another trend to be resurrected this fall season and it's back in a big way. Generally associated with the rebellious grunge era in the '90s or traditional Scottish clothing, plaid is making a break from these fashion stereotypes to become a chic and trendy pattern anyone can wear.

This striking cross-hatched pattern is versatile as it can made even more dynamic by using bold hues and dramatic tonal contrasts or toned down with subtle, sophisticated colours. Depending on the look of the item, plaid may propose a diverse array of style options including youthful, classic, quirky, elegant, edgy or casual.

Models strutted down the Fall 2008 runways of Badgley Mischka, House of Holland, D&G and Sass & Bide clad in stylish, attention-grabbing plaid garments.


photos courtesy style.com and nymag.com


Jessica Szohr of Gossip Girl looked cool and casual in a plaid button-down at a Dazed and Confused magazine party last week while her co-star Taylor Momsen was dressed in a cute plaid dress on the set of their show. Diane Kruger wore a plaid tie-neck blouse to Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2009 show and Rihanna wore a plaid ruffle front top with a white vest while out shopping with UK singer Duffy.


photos courtesy uk.popsugar.com, justjared.com and forum.santabanta.com


Some of the greatest fashion inspirations come from real people who are photographed by various street style blogs around the world. The great thing about this pattern is that it's gender-neutral so both girls and guys can work their favourite plaid pieces with style and confidence.



photos courtesy facehunter.blogspot.com, styleclicker.net, saopaulostyle.blogspot.com,
damstyle.blogspot.com, thefashionist.se, thesartorialist.blogspot.com
and the-intersection.blogspot.com



As many of you may already know, Chictopia is also a fantastic source of real life fashion inspiration. These Chictopia girls utilize different plaid items to effectively express their fabulous, individual senses of style.


photos courtesy chictopia.com/user/blog/kirstylee, chictopia.com/user/blog/jmdarda, chictopia.com/user/blog/Snowshoe, chictopia.com/user/blog/rose01545, chictopia.com/user/blog/jfehrenbacher and chictopia.com/user/blog/taghrid.


Jump on the plaid-wagon this fall with these gorgeous and affordable items below.


Click on name of item to go to product page.





Romy Plaid Vest
Price: US$32.00



Plaid Shortie Sock
Price: US$4.99



Plaid Fleece Cape
Price: US$39.99






Plaid Buckle Flat
Price: US$22.50



Plaid shirred-yoke skirt

Price: US$32.99


Update - Fabulous fashion blogger, Couture Carrie also did a great post on the plaid trend, more specifically bias plaid! She rounds up some inspirational photos of bias plaid on the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 runways, ad campaigns and various other sources. Check it out!

64 comments:

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I love plaid! It's adorable and looks great on everyone. I especially love the picks that you have presented...I gotta get that clutch. And the hair piece? Too cute!

Great post =)

Elizabeth said...

I love a good plaid/check/tartan, no matter how loud or "ugly."

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

before grunge was punk (and the Bay City Rollers...) But that still doesn't change the fact that I can't find a nice light weight plaid blazer for summer :(

Unknown said...

i was never big into plaid, but some of these pieces are lovely. i really like the colorful, long plaid jacket in the first set of pics. rihanna's also wearing that plaid top nicely. she's giving just the right amount.

oh! but i have always had a thing for plaid pants (although i've never owned any), so the pants the lady is wearing in the 5th set pf pics. appeal to me.

great post.

Rebecca Jane said...

I always love plaid! So great. I think that romy plaid vest you posted is amazing, as is Taylor Momsen's plaid dress. So great!

Sienna said...

I love plaid, and that skirt is divine.

Sharon S said...

Hi Danz-A great post my dear!! I found a topshop red and navy plaid shirt in the charity shop, I think for me, 1 item is enough for this trend, as a shirt can be worn in and out of the trends!! have a great Monday!

Anonymous said...

great post danz! i love the scarf!

Kristina said...

Wow I love the plaid vest and the last skirt! I actually have a pair or red plaid flats, only they're a bit more underground and a little less classy than the ones with the buckle here.

Ida said...

The short skirt and the flats are absolutely adorable. And I love Diane Kruger's style, I am so glad you included her.

Have a gorgeous new week, lovely Danz

xxxxxxxx

Seeker said...

Oh I'm so in love with plaid.
I just have a few pieces, but I'm thinking in making profit of them the most I could ;)

Thank you dear for your nice comment in my blog.

Have a nice week.

xoxo

Always In Style said...

To me plaid isn't even a trend anymore - it's just a classic.

I love the celeb pics you've shown: that Rihanna look is fab!

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

my favourite textile by far - great compilation and so on trend!

Letitia - The Fashion Editor said...

wow, your coverage on this emerging trend i like 10x better than mine last week lol..amazing!! i bought the blouse that you suggested from Newport...wink wink

Letitia - The Fashion Editor said...

oh yeah and I ofcorse linked this post on my blog because you really hit the nail on the head lol..and didn't forget about our interview, its coming up! super busy as you can imagine..

Couture Carrie said...

Oh how funny is this, D? I just posted a BIAS PLAID roundup, and then came here for a visit and you have a gorgeous tartan post as well! Great minds, I tell ya!

One of your street style pics has a girl wearing a Forever 21 dress in my post, so I think will go back and link you right now!!

I am loving the looks you chose - especially the gent in the plaid blazer, and those adorable buckle flats!
Hope you are well, my darling!

xoxox,
CC

Christina Lee said...

Nice psot- I like plaid alot!

Blicious said...

i love plaid!!!! the flats are so cute!

Lauren said...

i am now mad about plaid! (meaning i am in love w/ it)

Ti Dickenson said...

i love plaid...always wear plaid..

Wendiva said...

oh i LOVE plaid!!!! secret: this is why i miss my jr high uniform, because the skirt was the most subtle plaid pattern of great dark colors: green, black and navy :)

Anonymous said...

i love all these options, especially ones with feminine touches like ruffles to make it a little girly.

Nina (Femme Rationale) said...

hi! thank u for visiting my site! how funny...i was going to do a post on plaids, too. i guess they are really everywhere.

Tiffany said...

Really great post. I've been looking to add more plaid to my closet. That plaid ruffle blouse you found is too cute!

Kira Aderne said...

All the looks are so lovely! I love plaid!

a kiss my friend!
another fantastic post!
you are amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

im surprised by how high fashion that blouse from newport-news is looking. i can see pairing it with skinny jeans and heels. perfect way to wear plaid this season!

Lindsay said...

ohh i love the plaid pashmina!

Dana (MODAna) said...

the plaid vest is so ridiculous in its goodness
will go order it post haste
GREAT POST!

Tricia said...

i'm a big plaid fan from way back - and I love a man in plaid. Those brownish plaid pants are fantastic. great choices!

tessa said...

every girl should have a plaid dress in their closet.

Eeli said...

Oh, i really like plaid too! But only in small doses lol. Like on a scarf or badge or perhaps a belt :P For some reason the criss crossing pattern hurts my head....aswell as my eyes unfortunately :( But you are right m'dear plaid is very much a hit!

Lil Midget said...

Love the yoke skirt and shoes. Tartan is awesome...Especially on corsets! Yum!

Eeli said...

Btw Danz that was a brilliant idea about pinning it up the middle! I've got a couple more dresses that i'll experiment that idea on. For some reason it totally escaped me but nvm now :D

bronwyn said...

Great roundup. I'm loving all the plaid, something I never thought I would do:)

Songy said...

You did just as well, Danz. Just love the variety. I should invest in a bag or something.

yiqin; said...

You have the best blog! Love your posts! You put in so much effort into them. & I love the plaid socks!!

FASHION CHALET said...

Thank you for that comment. You are so sweet. Glad you liked the video post.. lol. I'm silly. ;)

I love how this girl wore the plaid:
chictopia.com/user/blog/jfehrenbacher , will go check her out now! :)

Couture Carrie said...

Thanks for the linkage, sweets!

xoxox,
CC

we wear things said...

i've been loving plaid for some time now! glad to see so many pieces with it :)

Syed said...

I loooove plaid, it is the perfect autumn/winter pattern!

Anonymous said...

I love this trend- especially brighter plaids. Those socks are super cute.

starbrained said...

Oh, I love the way Rihanna wears plaid and also, DSQUARED2 did plaid amazingly in their fall rtw collection. I think I could throw in a little plaid into my wardrobe, maybe some plaid flats.

Paris said...

Wow, you have found some really nice pieces here! So affordable!! I like Plaid on other girls but it swamps me so I save it for my pj's ; ) xx

I hope you are ok! I am hopefully coming back to blog world now after a hectic month xx

A couple of posts down, I see the Sophia Kokosalaki dress for $29!! How can it be? It's amazing!!xx

Unknown said...

i lovee plaid.
i have been wearing quite a lot of it recently.
in my last post i am wearing a pair of high-waisted plaid shorts... which i am planning on pairing with patterned tights and chunky boots for the winter months.

Anonymous said...

I am usually not a fan of plaid, but you put together such a great collage, I may have to change my mind!

Style Spot said...

I adore plaid! I have so many plaid shirts and I love wearing them with skinny jeans, black or denim shorts and skirts. I really like the way Diane Kruger wears her plaid shirt. Thank you so much for this post, dear, it's brilliant!

xxx

lara said...

plaid is great, luckily my father still has an old plaid shirt that I can borrow :)

Bombchell said...

vanessa from gossip girl is so insanely pretty

Angela said...

i am still on the fence about plaids but am warming up to certain looks.

LuLu124 said...

ohh just a goorgeous post danz!!! loove plaid :))) btw i've tagged you an award ;D xoxo, lulu ♥

Winnie said...

I like plaid but I've tried on heaps of plaid shirts and I realise that the pattern is just not for me. Maybe on skirts though.

Human Racing said...

Great plaid! It never seems to look right on me, but maybe I'll try some now.

♥ Marta ♥ said...

LOVe Love Love this trend :)

Anonymous said...

nice trend ) very stylish and cosy )))

Libbi said...

I love plaid,
That black and white dress near the top is gorgeous,
You can get some really nice plaid in Jane Norman in the UK.
Libbi
xx

Pamcasso said...

lovely post, I've been wanting some plaid pieces forever.

Economy of Style said...

Loving all the plaidness!

Puchi said...

Lova that plaid! We can make it preppy or punk, congrats on your choices darling! I´m definitely out lookin' for more !!!
XOXO

Sydneydoll said...

i love plaid.

Cheryl Lynn Pastor Romance Author said...

Your posts are just so timely, it's amazing! I just bought a wonderful pair of argyle tights that I fell instantly in love with.

I'm seriously thinking about showing off my outfit when I wear them.

The contest sounds wonderful and I think I'm going to enter.

You are just a wonderful source of information and I'm so glad I found your blog.

Have a wonderful weekend, my dear.

AlicePleasance said...

Plaid, I love you! I want a plaid dress, a shirt and a skirt. At least!

Robin said...

I love plaid, you can wear it with eveything

AsianCajuns said...

Fantastic post! I especially like seeing the street styles because I love plaid, but am never convinced that you can really update it for the real world. All those street style pics prove me wrong!

Anonymous said...

The application in this is flawless–she looks gorgeous!