how to wear a plaid shirtdress

if it’s fall, then it’s time for plaid. there’s never been a more recognizable pattern than plaid coming in nearly every color under the sun. but wait. plaid isn’t the proper name for this pattern. that honor goes to tartan used to decorate the Scottish Clans. traditionally plaid was a heavy traveling cloak worn to keep the bitter winter at bay. nowadays textile companies interchange plaid with tartans who recreate tartans without the symbolic meaning of a specific Scottish Clan. from hipsters to prepsters and lumberjacks of yore, this pattern continues to be a favorite year after year. it can be loud or understated depending on the color scheme. while i missed Worldwide Plaid Day held the first Friday in October, this girl is still mad for plaid when fall rolls into town. today, i’m sharing how to wear a plaid shirtdress.

there’s been rain and more rain here in Georgia! i’m beginning to think an Ark might come in handy! we’re all ready for the sun to shine overhead once more. let me tell you; oscar is more than willing to resume his daily walks. every time i head to the front door, he sticks his nose outside only to be disappointed. rain is not his thing, so who am i to argue? while i see many faithful dog owners taking laps around the block with their faithful companions come rain or shine, i’ve decided oscar, and i are fair-weather creatures. so come on, sun! we’re rooting for your return.

how to wear a plaid shirtdress

it’s safe to say a shirtdress is a classic wardrobe staple that never goes out of style. they are a perennial favorite of mine that can be worn any time of year. if you need extra warmth in the winter months, simply add a turtleneck. or roll up the sleeves during those hot summer months. so how to wear a plaid shirtdress when the calendar says fall? it’s as easy as one, two, three with the right accessories.

a plaid shirtdress (old, similar here, here, and here) from Ralph Lauren kicks off the outfit. during the shopping spree in Greenville, SC, i spotted this denim duster from Anthropologie that made my heart sing. it’s the perfect third layer for mild temps, and it looks adorable as a topper to the plaid shirtdress. boot season has officially arrived, so it’s time to pull my boots from storage.  knee-high boots in brown or black go with everything, so i like to have both on hand. suede boots (old, similar here, here, and here) add texture, so i opted for suede instead of leather. but either work! accessories are the easiest things to tweak to your personal preference and let your personality shine. a brown belt from Ralph Lauren and a hand-tooled handbag (old, similar here, here, and here) from Patricia Nash add a decidedly western vibe. all in all, i’m ready to greet the day.

shirtdress (similar here, here, and here) | denim duster | boots (similar here, here, and here) | handbag (similar here, here, and here) | necklace | earrings

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shirtdress (similar here, here, and here) | denim duster | boots (similar here, here, and here) | handbag (similar here, here, and here) | necklace | earrings

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Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.

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