by Abbi Sharp

Created on: December 30, 2010

Dressing Up Men's Plaid Shirts

When thinking about plaid the first thing that comes to mind is grunge. Yuck! Who wants to look like they rolled out of a dumpster? Dressing up a plaid shirt can be easy if you think the opposite of how we have seen it for the past 15 years. The use of fitted styles, layers, and accessories, updates and jazzes up this seemingly old style for a new birth for the plaid shirt.

Fitted Styles

Make sure your clothes fit. Layering properly should look neat, and men should avoid Baggy styles when wearing the plaid shirt. You don't have to sacrifice comfort for style. Breathable, more flexible fabrics are available in denim and plaid that can make a fitted look much more comfortable than it may appear. Pants should also fit. Pants don't need to be too tight, but a skinny pant can be stylish if it fits you properly. A straight leg is just as fashionable for a man with a thicker build. Making sure the shirt is fitted to the body is crucial in making your plaid shirt look stylish.

Layering

A great way to layer is to use a jacket such as a blazer, and slimming cargo jacket, or mens' pea coat in solids colors, khaki, or denim.  Just remember that too much of any one pattern is a fashion don't. Just like a plaid shirt, plaid jacket, plaid tie, and plaid pants all worn together can be reminiscent of pictures of grandpa from the 1970s, wearing too much denim or khaki can be a definite fashion no-no.  If a tee shirt is worn under the plaid shirt it is important to pay attention to both fit and color. If you want the plaid to stand out then tone down the color of the shirt. The color shouldn't be as bright. If  the desired look is to call attention to the other layers then the shirt should  be brightly colored, while the plaid is more subtly colored. Using layers that are fitted can really make that plaid shirt look hot.

 Accessorizing

In the past plaid was always accessorized by wearing a beat up old t-shirt under the plaid shirt. This is no longer the proper way to dress up the plaid shirt. It's important to pay attention to colors and patterns. If you have dull colors in your plaid shirt, then your accessories should be more vibrant. Again, stay away from matching plaid with more plaid. A great scarf, vest, tie, or sachel can really make a man look good in a plaid shirt. Pairing a plaid shirt with a solid colored scarf or tie can look amazing. Mixing colors and patterns is the new way to wear plaid.

Old rules against matching plaids with stripes or other patterns no longer apply. Be creative, but use a mirror because we want to dress up the plaid shirt, not make ourselves look like a clown in a plaid shirt. Try different looks and don't be afraid to sport a new look. Plaid shirts are back, and knowing how to spruce them up can make a man look very stylish.

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