Whether it transports us back to our private school days or reminds us of our punk rocker phase, a plaid skirt is a versatile staple to any feminine wardrobe. We can dress it up for events or dress it down for everyday wear. Either way, the plaid skirt is a fun, feminine style.
Although it can be challenging to figure out how to style a plaid skirt, it has endless possibilities. If you want to opt for an edgy look, we can help you pair it with the perfect garments and accessories. If you are going for a classy outfit, we can help with that, too.
Take a look at the list below for some inspiration on what to wear with a plaid skirt.
Related: What to Wear with Plaid Pants? | What to Wear with a Plaid Jacket? | What to Wear with a Plaid Dress? | What to Wear with Plaid Shorts?
FYI, thanks to AI imagery software, we’re able to create very specific fashion and hairstyle examples to illustrate the points being made. In some cases, imagery is exaggerated to hammer home the point.
Turtleneck
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The combination of a turtleneck with a plaid skirt of any length–from mini to midi to full–is as classic as peanut butter and jelly. Opt for a black or another neutral-colored turtleneck to match any color combination of plaid or experiment with contrasting colors.
Pair an orange turtleneck to make a splash against blue plaid or a red turtleneck to add a festive note to a green plaid skirt. Free People’s Clemente Top is a turtleneck that comes in pastel colors, making it ideal for pairing with neutral-toned plaid skirts or pastel tones.
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Nordstrom’s Barbour Maybury Cape is a loose-fitting lightly colored turtleneck that would look cozy and cute paired with any length of the plaid skirt. Since this top is longer, it is probably best to pair it with a skirt that is longer than the hem of the top to avoid looking pantsless.
A regular cashmere turtleneck like SANGTREE Women’s Turtleneck Sweater will seamlessly complement any style of plaid skirt. The main benefit to a classic cashmere turtleneck sweater is its plain coloring, which will let the plaid be the star of the show.
Graphic T-shirt
If you want your outfit to make a statement–literally–a graphic t-shirt is the way to go. Graphic tees can add a sense of personality to the humble plaid skirt. A cutesie tee with a cartoon character can turn your outfit adorable while an edgy graphic tee can spunk it up. Amazon’s LOOKFACE Women’s Cute T Shirt Junior Tops Teen Girls Graphic Tees features an adorable cat face graphic that will add a sweet touch to a sassy plaid skirt.
Garters
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For an alternative academic look straight out of our favorite animes, we like to pair a plaid skirt with a studded garter set such as the Gunmetal Pyramid Stud Garter Set. These garters can hold up knee-high socks while infusing an edginess to the entire look.
Studded Belt
Those who lived through the early 2000s will remember pop princesses like Avril Lavigne rocking a studded belt over a plaid skirt. If you want to bring out your inner rockstar, a studded belt is a perfect layer over a plaid skirt. The Double Black Pyramid Stud Belt is a great start to add to a budding alternative wear collection. When we wear it, we feel like a proper punk.
Collar Knit Blazer
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Channel your inner girl boss by layering a solid blazer over a plaid skirt such as Nordstrom’s Caslon Drape Collar Knit Blazer. For a bold play on a skirt suit, this modern combo will have you looking like you mean business.
Plaid Blazer
SheIn Women’s Lapel Collar Coat Long Sleeve Plaid Blazer is the perfect choice for those who want to dive into plaid overload and experiment with mixing patterns in a plaid skirt outfit. Naturally, we recommend coordinating the colors of a plaid skirt with those in a plaid blazer. However, you can always go against the grain and mix plaid color schemes that clash to stand out from the crowd and make a bold, rebellious statement.
Sweater Vest
For a nerdy academic look that gives seriously studious energy, pair a plaid skirt with a sweater vest like Free People’s Women’s Fields of Fair-Isle Cropped Sweater Vest. Use the sweater vest to top off a plain button up or wear it on its own for a sexy play on the academic style.
Button-Up Blouse
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Whether you call it a button-up or a button-down blouse, this classic cut creates a professional, put-together look when you add a plaid skirt into the outfit. For a fun, floral take on this timeless combination, opt for Anthropologie’s Maeve Classic Button-Down. It features floral applique against a white flowy backdrop. You can also knot it to cinch the waist or tuck it into the waistband for a sleeker look.