Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
For the month of October, Bazaar will be celebrating our obsessions—how they delight us, connect us, and keep us going. Tune in each day for a new story, or go here to read them all.
The biggest plot twist of the fall/winter 2026 runways was the way designers played with plaid. Always a pattern associated with fall, it usually appears in the form of classic cashmere scarves, pleated wool skirts, or the lining of utilitarian jackets. But this season, plaid got an unexpected makeover. Checked pieces in bright new hues and elevated fabrics like chiffon and silk felt light and playful, as opposed to the heavier, more structured looks of the past.
Many designers rethought plaid for day, from Chemena Kamali’s candy-colored chiffon dresses and skirts at Chloé to Matthieu Blazy’s workwear-style shirts at Chanel. Others used plaid to create a dressed-up finishing touch, like Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s take on party sandals for Loewe. For evening, Julian Klausner at Dries Van Noten paired checked tops with velvet skirts, while Tory Burch gave us a sheer matching set in the pattern.
From left: Dries Van Noten, Chloé, Chanel, Celine, Tory Burch.
Below, I break down three ways to make the pattern feel new and special this fall, whether you’re mixing flannel shirts together for a layered look or investing in a pair of plaid statement shoes. Read on for how to get the look.
Double Up on Flannels for Evening
Shirts, scarf, pants and jacket, Polo Ralph Lauren.
Is there anything chicer than a woman in a tuxedo? This fall, tuxedo-inspired accessories like cummerbunds and opera scarves are trending, but a more unexpected twist on the look involves plaid shirts—two of them! Start with a pair of tuxedo pants, then add a plaid button-down, ideally one in a dark color with bright checks. Tie a white opera scarf around your waist to pull it all together, and finish off your look with a lighter plaid flannel tied around your waist. Sling a tuxedo jacket around your shoulders for the coolest interpretation of the trend yet.
Power-Clash Plaids for a Night Out
Sandals, Loewe.
Funky sandals are the ultimate starting point if you’re building a statement look for a fun night out. This season, Loewe collaborated with German artist Cosima von Bonin on a collection that included a pair of mix-and-match plaid sandals. Rather than balancing them out with something simple, try pairing them with Dries Van Noten’s mixed-media skirt-pants for a full-body ode to pattern play. Top it all off with a crisp, oversized white shirt to let your shoes do all of the talking.
Pair a Candy-Colored Plaid Dress With Daytime Leather
Jacket, dress and boots, Chloé.
There’s something so charmingly unexpected about a vibrant plaid skirt in soft chiffon. For true checks and balances, offset the easy silhouette with a structured leather jacket to give your look the edge it needs. A western-inspired boot will make the look feel polished yet laid-back (and a little bit boho). This is a look that can truly take you from day to night with flying colors!
A version of this story appears in the October 2026 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.