5 Ways to Wear Plaid Like a Fashion Editor in 2025 (Plus One Popular Look to Skip)

Most of the conversation around the ‘90s revival has focused on sleek minimalism and the Carolyn Bessette Kennedy look, but there’s another major vintage trend poised and ready for a comeback any day now: grunge. Of course, the 2025 version is posher and more polished than Courtney Love’s iconic outfits, but it’s still a great way to rock those old-school plaid pieces hanging in your closet. Tie an oversize button-up around the waist of some wide-leg jeans and a tailored blazer, or layer one over an elegant midi dress.

One of the cutest ways to incorporate plaid into your wardrobe right now is with subtle plaid linings that only make an appearance while you’re moving. A well-known example is the viral Sézane Clyde trench coat (pictured on the left), with a chic plaid lining you only really only see if you roll up the cuffs or as you walk. But you could also try a handbag or bucket hat with a plaid lining, or sneakers with plaid laces, basically any style where you’d have to do a double take to realize you’re looking at a classic checker print.

No offense to Rory Gilmore, but the prep school look just isn’t the vibe for fall 2025. Instead, try styling your go-to plaid miniskirt in a much more casual, tough-gal kind of way. Swap the knee-high riding boots for a moto style or combat boots instead. And switch out that collegiate-looking cardigan for a sleek hooded sweatshirt. Finish with some unexpected accessories, like a wide leather belts or slouchy handbag with oversize chain handles. The end result? A totally fresh take on a classic fall staple that successfully avoids any school girl references.

Don’t limit yourself to just one plaid piece at a time—try wearing two, or even three, to really go all in on the trend! Of course, the easiest way to double up is by seeking out individual pieces that do the print mixing for you, like this Avec Les Filles blazer ($195). But you can absolutely DIY it too. The key here is to choose prints that are very distinctly different from one another, be it with color or scale. If you choose a mid-scale beige blazer as your top, try adding a large-scale brown plaid trouser or miniature-scale beige skirt. Similarly, two plaids with roughly the same sizing can work well together provided they’re two distinct colors, like blue with purple or yellow with green.

Is there any plaid more instantly identifiable than Burberry’s? The beige, white and black pattern with that signature pop of red is truly timeless, never really going out of style. But lately I’ve been seeing it have something of a resurgence to the spotlight, specifically with the return of the Burberry bikini (yes, the very same one we all coveted in the early 2000s) this summer. Rather than go all out for fall, keep those recognizable plaids to a minimum (bikini sized, if you will) by way of a top handle bag, wide headband or classic tie. Those smaller pops help make Burberry plaid feel more intentionally part of your outfit and less like a walking billboard.

Let me start by saying I adore Cher. Her wardrobe is absolutely iconic, and with Clueless celebrating its 30-year anniversary this year, I’ve seen so many more homages to her yellow plaid matching set popping up. But here’s the thing: they all end up looking way too costumey. I’m sure there’s a way to rock a matching plaid blazer and flirty miniskirt, but right now, with all the ‘90s and Clueless nostalgia so front of mind, they read more like a set wardrobe and less like an actual everyday outfit. That doesn’t mean you should toss any matching sets you already own—just be sure to style the jacket separately from the skirt, and know that this trend will 100 percent swing back around in a few years (I guarantee it).