How to style a plaid blazer

I have decided that I must be mad about plaid. I’ve notice that I tend to gravitate to pattern looks both in my casual wear and lately in my suiting. I’m even doing it with my outerwear. Done correctly, a bold plaid makes a great statement and looks terrific. For those just getting into the game, here’s a simple way to style a plaid blazer.

Before I talk about how to style a plaid blazer, let’s give a quick history. Originally the pattern we now called plaid was originally tartan. In writing for Bustle in 2014, Tyler Atwood explains, “Tartan refers to the unique cloth patterns which distinguish one Scottish clan or geographical region from another. By the original Scottish definition, a “plaid” was a Celtic kilt or blanket which served as an outer layer to battle the Highland elements.” She goes on to say the fabric became plaid when British and American manufacturers started creating patterned fabrics that resembled tartan.

Today, plaid patterns vary widely, from subtler looks to bolder patterns as seen in my blazer. What can be tricky is that too much of a bold pattern can look a little gimmicky or costumy if not done correctly. In fact, this blazer is actually part of a total suit. However, for those fashion risk takers, it can be an amazing look. Keep reading this blog and in an upcoming post, I’ll show you my take.

My advice on how to style a plaid blazer is to keep it simple. Since the jacket makes the statement, keep the other pieces more subdued. Wear the jacket with a white shirt and navy tie, In my case I wanted to bring out the blue in my blazer Since the blue was not the dominate color it made the tie pop. Don’t want to wear a tie? Opt for a light blue dress shirt and no tie or try a navy turtleneck. Both are more casual options.

For the pants, keeping with our simple philosophy, pair your plaid blazer with jeans for an elevated casual look. To make it dressier, you can always swap out the jeans for navy trousers. With all of these options, you can get a lot of variety out of one jacket. And if you think about it, to style a plaid blazer is a lot easier than you might have imagined.

Shop my look | Details

Plaid blazer – Zara | White dress shirt – Saks Fifth Avenue | Blue tie – Bloomingdales |  Denim jeans – J Brand  |Belt – Prada | Convertible lovers – Bally (similar)