Is there anything more fall than a plaid jacket? The pattern comes back every year, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear it the same way every time.
Plaid jackets can look preppy, casual, grungy, or sophisticated depending on what you wear with them. Since plaid already makes a statement, you don’t need much else to create a great outfit.
So, how do you style a plaid jacket without looking like you’re heading to a country fair? Here are some of our favorite ways to wear the trend, along with glasses that complete each look.
At-a-Glance Summary
This guide looks at different ways to style a plaid jacket, from jeans and boots to skirts, tailored trousers, and dresses. We’ll also show you how different glasses shapes and colors can bring each outfit together.
Keep It Simple With Jeans
When in doubt, put on jeans.
This is how Margot Robbie pulled off the plaid look. She recently stepped out in New York wearing an oversized black plaid Chanel blazer with baggy dark jeans. She finished the look with cream mules, gold jewelry, and chunky cat-eye sunglasses.
A plaid jacket with straight-leg or relaxed-fit jeans is one of those combinations that just works. Add a white T-shirt or fitted knit underneath and let the jacket stand out.
Black glasses work well if your jacket has a busy pattern. Try a rectangular or softly rounded frame that keeps the focus on the jacket, such as the Burberry BE2390.
Want to bring out the warm colors in your plaid? Try tortoiseshell glasses instead. Brown and amber frames work well with tan, rust, burgundy, and olive plaid.
Make It Preppy
Plaid and preppy style have been together for a very long time, so why fight it?
Try a fitted plaid jacket with a pleated skirt, loafers, and a button-down shirt. You can keep the colors traditional with navy, gray, and burgundy, or add a bright sweater underneath.
Round or oval glasses work particularly well with this look. A thin metal frame gives the outfit a classic feel, while thicker acetate frames bring it into 2026.
If your plaid is mostly neutral, use your glasses to introduce color. Deep green, burgundy, and navy frames all work with this style. The Swarovski SK2020 offers deep green and burgundy options.
Dress It Up With Tailored Trousers
Plaid jackets are effortlessly easy to dress up.
Wear it with tailored trousers and a simple top underneath. Keep the trousers black if you’re going for a classic/formal look. Perfect for the office or going out somewhere nice.
For glasses, try a rectangular or cat-eye frame. Gold and rose-gold metal frames work alongside warm brown, tan, and burgundy plaid. The Michael Kors MK3030 BUENA VISTA are a good example of a rose-gold frame that could work with this look.
Plaid With a Dress
Another way to wear a plaid jacket is to throw it over a dress. A short plaid jacket looks great with a floral midi dress and boots. If you want to make it more casual, switch out the boots for sneakers.
The contrast is what makes it work. The soft silhouette of the dress contrasts with the structured plaid jacket.
Try cat-eye glasses if you want to lean into the feminine side of the outfit, such as the Tory Burch TY2142U. Rounded acetate frames give it a more casual feel, like the Gucci GG0093O.
Go Oversized
If you bought an oversized plaid jacket, don’t feel like you always have to wear it with something else fitted. This is outdated fashion advice; feel free to experiment with baggy on baggy.
Pair your oversized jacket with wide-leg trousers or straight jeans. However, it’s best to keep the top under your jacket fairly fitted so you don’t completely erase your shape. Finish with sneakers or chunky boots.
For glasses, go bold. A large rectangular frame or oversized square shape works with the proportions of the jacket. Black frames make a strong statement, while translucent brown and gray frames have a softer look.
The Miu Miu MU 04UV is a good option to try; this frame is available in black and translucent options.
Mix Your Plaids
Yes, you can wear plaid with more plaid. Zoe Saldaña did this by wearing a red plaid Saint Laurent jacket over a second plaid shirt with a dark green velvet skirt and knee-high boots.
But you can also fully commit with both a plaid jacket and some matching plaid trousers to create an unforgettable, high-powered look.
This isn’t always the easiest look to pull off, but the rule is to pick plaids that share at least one color.
Keep your glasses simple here. Black, dark brown, or translucent frames won’t introduce another pattern. For instance, the Ray-Ban Clubmaster has black, brown, and transparent options.
Don’t Be Afraid of Color
You don’t have to stick to brown, gray, and black plaid.
Red, green, blue, and yellow plaid jackets are perfect statement pieces. If you go for a jacket like this, the advice is to keep the rest of the outfit fairly neutral. Blue jeans with a white or black top let the jacket take the spotlight.
Your glasses can either blend in or add another pop of color. For example, if your jacket is mostly made of red, a red frame solidifies the look… whereas clear frames let the jacket do all the talking. The Gucci GG0958O is a fun red option to try!
So, How Will You Wear Your Plaid?
There’s a reason plaid always seems to materialize on the streets the minute the weather starts to cool off. It’s familiar and so versatile, working with everything from jeans and sneakers to tailored trousers and boots.
Once you’ve found a plaid jacket you love, the rest of the outfit just seems to magically come together no matter the occasion.
Then comes the fun part: choosing the glasses! You can find a variety of glasses that will work with your plaid outfit on EZContacts.
FAQs
Is plaid in style in 2026?
Yes, plaid is very much in style in 2026. Celebrities like Margot Robbie, Kylie Jenner, and model Barbara Palvin have been spotted in plaid.
What glasses pair well with plaid?
This often depends on the colors in your plaid jacket. Plaid often pairs well with solid, neutral colored glasses, like matte black. It could also work well with tortoiseshell.
TL;DR
- A plaid jacket works with everything from jeans and sneakers to tailored trousers and boots.
- Take inspiration from Margot Robbie and pair an oversized plaid blazer with jeans and chunky cat-eye glasses.
- Create a preppy look with a plaid jacket, pleated skirt, loafers, and colorful frames.
- Dress up a plaid jacket with tailored trousers and warm-toned metal glasses.
- Wear plaid over a floral dress to soften and feminize a boxy jacket.
- Don’t be afraid to pair an oversized jacket with wide-leg trousers or baggy jeans. The ’90s will always be in fashion.
- Double down on the plaid with a jacket + matching pants for a statement outfit.
- Let a colorful plaid jacket take center stage and use your glasses as a tool to complement or contrast.
Got a plaid jacket in mind? Shop the eyeglasses and sunglasses you need to complete the look!
