The Plaid Shirts I Actually Want to Wear This Fall

Over the last few years, I accumulated several plaid button-downs. Plaid for fall? Groundbreaking. The thing is, I barely wore them. I could never quite explain why because I love a button-down. But when I was getting dressed, the plaid ones almost always stayed in the closet.

I think I finally figured out why: I tend to think of plaid as a novelty in my wardrobe. It already has a lot going on visually, so when it comes in the most classic, predictable button-down shape, the whole thing feels a little too expected. There’s nothing wrong with it, but given the choice, I’d usually rather wear one of my other shirts.

This year, though, I’m seeing plaid done differently. Ruffled collars, fuller sleeves, gathered cuffs, neck ties and more interesting shapes make these feel more like blouses than traditional plaid shirts. You still get that familiar fall print, but the feminine details make it feel more interesting and a little more elevated.

So if you’ve ever described your personal style as classic with a twist, you might really love some of these. They’re still easy enough to wear with jeans, but I’d also try them with thin-wale corduroys, coated pants or a simple skirt.

Here are eight I like at a range of price points.

Sézane Hana Shirt

This is probably the best example of what I mean by taking a traditional plaid and making it feel more interesting. The brown and navy check is classic, but the ruffled stand collar gives it a completely different look. I also love that they kept the rest of the shirt fairly simple, so the detail doesn’t overwhelm it.

I’d wear this with dark jeans and loafers, or tucked into a simple skirt with boots.

Shop: Sézane Hana Shirt, $150. Available in sizes 2 – 14.

Solset Whitney Plaid Blouse

I like this one because it takes the idea of a plaid button-down and changes the proportions. The crew neckline and full 3/4 sleeves give it more of a blouse shape, and the warm mix of brown, rust and blue is so good for fall.

I’d wear this with dark jeans or coated pants and keep everything else pretty simple.

Shop: Solset Whitney Plaid Blouse, $88. Available in sizes XS – XL.

Sanctuary Meet In Paris Tie Neck Blouse

The removable neck tie is what sold me on this one. Wear it tied in a bow when you want the plaid to feel a little more feminine, or take it off and you have a much simpler button-down. I also like the chest pockets here because they keep the bow from feeling too sweet.

I’d wear this with dark jeans or coated pants and a simple loafer or boot.

Shop: Sanctuary Meet In Paris Tie Neck Blouse, $99. Available in XS – XL.

Pilcro Tallulah Puff-Sleeve Buttondown Top

This blue plaid is another good example of how changing one detail can make a familiar print feel completely different. The double-puff sleeves give it some shape and volume, while the crisp collar keeps it from feeling too precious.

I also like that this is a pullover with a partial button front rather than a traditional button-down. Wear it with jeans and loafers now, and I think it would be especially good with chocolate brown cords later in the season.

Note: this is 99% cotton with 1% elastane.

Shop: Pilcro Tallulah Puff-Sleeve Buttondown Top, $108. Available in XXS – XL including petite.

Lands’ End Flannel Ruffle Button Front Top

I really like what Lands’ End did here. It has everything you want from a classic fall flannel, but the ruffled collar and smocked cuffs make it feel much more feminine. And I especially like this soft green plaid, which feels a little less expected for fall.

This is an easy one with jeans, but I’d also wear it tucked into dark brown cords with a belt and loafers.

Shop: Lands’ End Flannel Ruffle Button Front Top, $69.95. Available in XS – XL. And Plus sizes here.

Boden Erica Frill Check Top

This is such a good example of classic with a twist. The oatmeal, navy and red check could easily skew very traditional, but the ruffled neckline, smocked shoulders and blouson sleeves completely change the look.

I’d wear this with straight-leg jeans and loafers, but it would also be really pretty tucked into a simple navy or brown skirt.

Shop: Boden Erica Frill Check Top, $149. Available in sizes 0 – 20/22.

Hyacinth House Ellery Blouse

This might be my favorite of the bunch. The chocolate brown and pale blue plaid is such a good color combination, and the shape is completely different from a traditional plaid shirt. The full sleeves and ruffled tie cuffs make it feel more like a pretty blouse that just happens to be plaid.

I’d keep everything else simple and wear this with dark slim legged jeans.

Note: Made from 100% Cotton.

Shop: Hyacinth House Ellery Blouse, $158. Available in XXS – XXL.

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