As autumnal weather begins its arrival, so too comes the welcome return of one of our favorite forever patterns. Should we even have to say it? It’s Plaid Time!

Whether it’s conjuring up cozy, outdoorsy vibes, or timeless, formal pieces – nothing says Fall like a pretty piece of plaid. Of course those earthy tones continue to dominate, but don’t feel like you have to ditch your dopamine dressing. Irreverent and bold colors are also popping their way into plaid patterns, giving those nostalgic tartans and windowpane patterns a fun, and sometimes even edgy, glow up.

Ready to dive into this season’s looks and get mad for plaid?

DRESSES

As versatility goes, plaid dresses can span the fashion canyon from youthful prep to polished, country house chic. Whatever your vibe for the day, there’s a plaid for that!

Starting with playfully short dresses, perfect for layering with tights and boots…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Windsor, Pretty In Plaid Drop Waist A-Line Mini Dress $39.90

• Sugarlips, Sweet Beyond Long Sleeve Plaid Mini Dress $89

• Windsor, Memorable Vibe Strapless Plaid Pleated Mini Dress $39.90

• Sugarlips, Lakeview Plaid Chiffon Double Ruffle Dress Curve $89

• Windsor, Flirty Expresion Sleeveless Plaid Mini Dress $39.90

to languid and long, ideal for those on-trend knee highs

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Ganni, Seersucker Check Smocked Maxi Dress $55.99 (on Sale NOW from $375)

• Sugarlips, Winston Plaid Wynette Tiered Midi Dress Curve $95

• Milly, Halley Prep Plaid Dress $129.99 (on Sale NOW from $475)

• Allegra K, Plaid A-line Overall Pinafore Dress $50.99

• Bella Dahl, Duster Dress $59.99 (on Sale NOW from $170)

TOPS

From Shepard’s Check to Black Watch, plaid tops are popping up everywhere. Rotate in your favorite pieces for casual events to office-friendly attire.

These sleeveless pieces are great for layering over and under – the choice is yours!

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Aeropostale, Plaid Square Neck Crop Top $7.99

• Windsor, Pristine Classic Satin Trim Plaid Corset Crop Top $29.90

• Windsor, Check Me out Lace Trim Plaid Crop Top $18.90

• Windsor, Keep on Charming Plaid Linen Cropped Vest $32.90

• Boston Proper, Plaid Modern Shell Black Multi Tank $49 (on Sale NOW from $70)

Longer sleeve pieces can easily stand alone, or under your coziest cardigan

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Allegra K, Long Sleeve Turtleneck Stretch Slim Plaid Shirt $28.99

• Lysse, Lena Ponte Turtleneck $98

• Guess, Originals Printed Mesh Top $54

• Cato, Plus Size Plaid Knit Top in Potters Clay $15.99

• Sugarlips, Woodland Jade Plaid Drape Sleeve Top $65

Speaking of cardigans, of course we could never forget our cozy button ups and sweaters…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• J. McLaughlin, Cecille Cardigan $238

• 89th & Madison, Plaid Button Up Shirt $29

• Studio Park x Alberti Popaj, Festive Plaid Cardigan $49.99 (on Sale NOW from $79)

• Cato, Plus Size Berry Plaid Shirt $25.99

• Issac Mizrahi, Sweater Cardigan w/Patch Pockets $30 (on Sale NOW from $60)

BOTTOMS

Ready to get your prep on? Putting together an academically vibed outfit is a as easy as adding a dash of plaid in the form of skirts or pants.

Starting with one of our fall return favorites, the plaid mini. Of course one of this season’s not so best kept secret for keeping your confidence if short-short isn’t your thing? A myriad of gorgeous skorts that look exactly like your fav mini, without the inseam concern.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• SO, Plus Size Pull On Pleated Skort $23.99 (on Sale NOW from $30)

• Windsor, Adorable Pose High-Rise Plaid Mini Skort $24.90

• Windsor, So Poised Plaid Pleated Mini Skirt $29.90

• Love, Bonito, Adrine Plaid A-Line Mini Skort $35

• Rebecca Minkoff, Carson Pleated Skort $178

Midi to Maxi, full and flowy to polished pencil, long plaid skirts are giving autumnal English countryside with a heavy dash of heritage prep. Perfect with waxed jackets and fuzzy fair isle sweaters, or zhuzh them up with a crisp white button down and kitten heels.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Love, Bonito, Madelyn Windowpane Plaid Wool Blend Skirt $65.90

• Jessica London, Plus Size Side-Button Wool Maxi Skirt $75.29

• Unique Vintage, Pleated Woven Gellar Swing Skirt $67

• Sugarlips, Harrisville Plaid A-Line Maxi Skirt $79

• Allegra K, Vintage Plaid High-Waist A-Line Tartan Midi Skirt $46.99

Sure, plaid trousers and Corpcore go together like PB&J, but why stop there? Designers didn’t think so either, as they’ve been expanding the plaid pant repertoire to everything from casual cropped, to cargo, to even that polarizing-yet-oh-so-trending fellow, the barrel leg.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Cato, Plus Size Slim Plaid Pants $30.99

• Vanilla Star, Plaid Parachute Cargo Pants $31.99

• Polo Ralph Lauren, Pleat-Detail Houndstooth Plaid Trousers $398

• Democracy Clothing, Skyrise Barrel Leg Roll Cuff Plaid Pant $78

• Allegra K, High Waist Plaid Trousers $42.99

OUTERWEAR

Nostalgic and timeless, plaid has a long history in outerwear. From the classic American workwear flannel to the equally iconic blazers and coats. This appealing pattern doesn’t just persist, it thrives.

Starting with that aforementioned icon, the plaid blazer…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Cato, Plus Size Brown & Black Houndstooth Plaid Blazer $39.99

• rag & bone, Slade Italian Plaid Blazer $179.99 (on Sale NOW from $550)

• Sugarlips, Hillard Plaid Cropped Blazer $95

• Twinset, Glen Plaid-Check Lace-Applique Blazer $385

• J. McLaughlin, Bleeker Blazer in Houndstooth $498

Moving to that king of seasonal comfort, the divinely dense outerwear flannel…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• NY Collection, Long Sleeve Twill Shirtjacket $24.99

• 89th & Madison, Plaid Shacket $59

• Windsor, Season Of Plaid Long Sleeve Oversized Shacket $52.90

• SO, Plaid Oversized Button-Up Shacket $43.99

• Windsor, Cozy Cute Plaid Woven Cropped Shacket $49.90

Craving more comfort? Few things can beat the plaid coat for cozy and chic…

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

• Ellie Tahari, Plaid Vegan Trim Wrap Coat $240 (on Sale NOW from $320)

• Ellen Tracy, Balmacaan Overcoat $229

• Johnston & Murphy, Brushed Plaid Coat $149.99 (on Sale NOW from $229.50)

• Cato, Black Check Windowpane Plaid Topper $34.99

• Guess, Ramona Plaid Coat $99 (on Sale NOW from $198)

ACCESSORIES

Finally, we come to our extra credit portion – the accessories. Whether you’re aim is to just dip your toe into the plaid trend, or you’re going all in and looking for more to mix and match, these pieces are perfect.

Like these gorgeous tights, ready to give your solid mini or skort a splash of pattern

HUE, Bias Glen Plaid Tights $15

Or these comfy sneaks made chic, courtesy of a rich, brown plaid

Boston Proper, Plaid Embellished Sneakers $89

Or get tempted with this terrific tartan tote from Dooney & Bourke

Dooney & Bourke, Tartan Flynn Tote $185

(on Sale NOW from $448)

Prefer your plaid in smaller doses? These darling socks will do the trick

Lucky Brand, Patchwork Plaid Crew Socks $6.99

And last, but definitely not least, if you only purchase one plaid investment piece this season, you will never regret going with the OG of fashionable plaid – the Burberry scarf

Burberry, Lightweight Check Wool and Silk Scarf $450