Plaid has been “that girl” since the 1700s. The textile was originally created by the Scottish and called “tartan” but was later adopted by the British and renamed plaid. Initially, plaid was used to make blankets and cloaks to protect people from harsh weather conditions. Before the 20th century, plaid became popular in American culture and was traditionally worn by lumberjacks. In essence, plaid has traveled across several centuries and many different cultures to remain relevant and mainstream.

Plaid is timeless and personally one of my favorite textiles. This week’s aesthetic is focused on taking timeless concepts, like plaid and fusing them with a simple but unique twist.

Let start with the centerpiece of this week’s look. I snagged these plaid Bermuda shorts from a J. Crew sample sale in NY a few years ago. These bottoms consist of the traditional plaid pattern however, its oversized fit added a fuse of Scottish influence. I appreciate the versatility of plaid, it can be worn on hats, pants, jackets, shirts, and shoes. Furthermore, plaid is commonly worn during the colder weather months, consider incorporating this versatile textile into your wardrobe.

Now, I love a good oxford shirt; cropped and all. This white solid colored oxford shirt paired with the plaid bottoms perfectly. The shape of the cuff is the shirt’s it-factor. What would normally be a traditional cuff was constructed into an extended, sharp, and pointed cuff. What a way to take a timeless concept and add a unique feel. Also, I added a black leather biker jacket for three reasons 1)to emphasize the black vertical and horizontal bands in the Bermuda shorts 2) balance the white and red colors 3) to add a little more edge to the look.

Onto the footwear; how sleek and sexy is this magenta bootie? The contrast of the brown heel against the magenta shoe was a perfect fit for this outfit. The bootie’s red hue doesn’t clash with the predominantly red bottoms, instead, both items complement each other since they sit on the same part of the color wheel. 

This week’s style tip is: Elevating your wardrobe doesn't always mean buying designer items or statement pieces. Consider adding garments that have a traditional concept but include a unique twist. For example, the unique twist can be the fit of the garment or a simple detail like extending the length and the shape of a shirt cuff.

Stay tuned for more style blog posts every Tuesday.

Xoxo,

chamXpagne

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