How to Wear Plaid for Autumn/Winter 2009

Next up in my series of 'how to wear this season's fashion trends' is one of my favourite things in the world — plaid. (I'm off to Scotland tomorrow, and the thought of this is maybe influencing me a little...)

We've oodles of plaid items coming up this winter season, so it was hard to pick just one to style. I think the long skirt won out solely because of its kookiness! I love the slightly 70s vibe it gives off, and the length is the perfect antidote for winter chills.

The most foolproof way to style plaid is to pick one of the colours featured in the checks, and choose solid-coloured items of the same shade to pair it with. I've picked black above and below, and I also did something similar with orange in a previous post.

If you like the outfits above, I've got some good news for you; you can nab the sweater in the first set and the boots in the second for a massive 70% off in the online store. The boots, which were €269, are just €80.70. And the sweater was €109, but is now a piddling €32.70. Grab 'em while you can!

How do you wear your plaid?

Three Different Ways to Wear — Brown Cord Skirt

The Autumn/Winter ranges are starting to hit the shops, and I'm having trouble resisting the urge to start stockpiling scarves, gloves, and woolly jumpers. I'm particularly excited about our own upcoming range, because it's full of really timeless pieces that are also bang on trend this season — corduroy skirts, plaid jackets and structured blazers, to name just a few.

To fuel my excitement, I've decided to put together a few guides to wearing this season's trends. First up is the brown cord skirt!

Look 1: Totally Trendy
This is the way I'm seeing cord skirts being put together everywhere — flannel shirt, blazer, and a pair of gentlemanly shoes. I usually try to avoid wearing things in the same way as everyone else, but this look gets my total and utter love, and I shall be recreating it at the first moment possible.

Look 2: Geek Chic
A little bit Velma from Scooby-Doo (okay, a lot), a lot awesome! Channel the seventies by pairing your brown skirt with deep, burnt orange tones.

Look 3: Out on the Town
This is as glamorous as a cord skirt is ever going to get, but I like it a lot — paired with a shiny top and sparkly shoes, it's not too dressy to wear while you're mooching around during the day, but not too casual to wear on a dinner date either. Style equilibrium has been reached!

All the items above are from the Edith & Ella Autumn/Winter 09 collection, which will be hitting the online store soon, so don't forget to check back often. Also, stay tuned for further style inspiration, courtesy of my continuing frustration with the summer...

Dressing up Jeans

Pink bow flats featured in Alt for Damern

Jeans are so versatile, but a lot of people shy away from the idea of dressing them up - myself included. To me, they're just sloppy weekend wear, but I'm working on changing my mind about that. Any suggestions to help me? Here's what I've figured out so far - it mightn't be big news to most people, but these tips will go far for any novices like me.

1. Nothing dresses up some ordinary jeans like a pair of pretty shoes, and a nice pair of heels will add instant glamour to any outfit!

Check out these Black Heels in the Online Store

2. Jeans and t-shirts are almost synonymous in my mind, but don't let yourself fall into that trap! A slinky top will take you from day to night in an instant. Pick something silky or sequined so that there's no way you'll feel under-dressed.

Try this Cream Silk Shirt

3. Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! And choose wisely. When you're wearing a simple outfit, any embellishments will speak volumes, so use them to express yourself.
I think a bag is a great way to let your personality show through. Are you a little bit kooky? Try a fun, retro-style bag. Feeling classy? A classic black bag is the way to go.

Vintage-style bag

Chic black bag

So, with all that in mind, grab your favourite jeans and make them work for you!

How to Wear — The Plaid Trend

Plaid is everywhere this Autumn/Winter season, having been showcased by big names like Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren in their runway shows. It's always been a favourite of mine, so I'm pleased as punch! It can be a little overwhelming, though—you're definitely going to stand out a mile if you parade around in plaid from head-to-toe. Not that that's a bad thing, but if you want to go a little subtler, then here's a bit of inspiration:



Plaid tights look beautiful with simple black — this Black Viscose / Polyester Dress and these Black Ballerina Shoes, for example. Add a red bolero to pull it all together, and your favourite red/gold/black jewellery for a bit of sparkle!