Men’s wear has seen plaid pants coming back into vogue in the most serious way possible. What used to be traditional or only worn in haute couture or by pop-culture risqué fashion icons are now part of the mainstream trend. So, if you are the kind of man who wants to up his fashion ante a bit, plaid pants are a versatile piece of fabric that will assist you in mixing and matching both casual and professional wear. However, one needs to know what other products to combine them with so as not to clutter or mismatch with the rest of the ensemble. So in this blog let’s discuss How and What to wear plaid pants guys, whether it is a casual look or formal look, you will be trendy.
Why Plaid Pants Deserve a Spot in Your Wardrobe
The modern development of this fashion accessory has been moved from the tartan and punk rock associations of the past to the contemporary context of the male casual and formal wear. They are a stylish combination of traditional and modern wear that will compliment almost any man’s personal wardrobe. Here’s why plaid pants are a must-have:
- Adaptability – Plaid pants can be worn for both formal occasions and informal situations depending on the type of occasion thus making pants very versatile.
- Patterns That Pop – Plaid is not very flashy, but this pattern is very noticeable and prominent when worn appropriately.
- Eternal Style – Plaid patterns have been used way before any of our generation was born and the way they are cut and tailored makes them trend worthy.
Regardless of the style you’re aiming for, plaid pants are very versatile. However, the way that they are worn is most important when it comes to plaid pants, into which category the following items fall. Therefore, in the following sections you will see what you should combine your plaid pants with throughout the day.
How to Choose the Right Plaid Pants
Here, it is crucial to start with the selection of the right plaid pants as we go through the pairing options. The style, the quality of the cut and fit, and the placement of the plaid will have a lot to do with how you wear your pants. Here’s what to consider:
- Fit: Slim-fit or tailored plaid pants are versatile and the simplest to wear. If worn, baggy plaid pants can be quite challenging to accessorize since they are quite casual or street outfits.
- Pattern Size: Intense and widely depicted plaid patterns will indicate more casual or fancy look, conversely thin and smaller depicted plaid patterns will lead to formal look.
- Color: Plain plaid pants which are made of gray, black, navy are comparatively better than making pants in bright colors like red, yellow or green. However, more vivid colors would look witty if one dares to try it out.
Some of you wanted to know my tips on how to wear plaid pants after you’ve chosen the best ones to buy. Now let’s find out how to wear plaid pants on various occasions.
Casual Day Outfits with Plaid Pants
We, therefore get to agree with the fact that plaid pants can endow casual appearance with a touch of timeless elegance. These combinations will assure a chic but relaxed look for whatever you are going for – brunch, shopping or to see friends.
1. T-Shirt + Plaid Pants + Sneakers
This is the most simple but efficient casual pairing of all time for her to start with. Ensure that your T-shirt is simple or has at most graphics so that the pants can stand out. The color of the t-shirt should be plain; black, white, gray or navy will do.
- Why It Works: Just wearing plain tee as it goes perfectly with plaid pants, sneakers maintain the casual vibe.
- Sneaker Tip: For men, get minimalistic shoes in white and black especially in the sneaker style.
2. Denim Jacket + Plaid Pants + Turtleneck
Another astounding fashion style for men is where a turtleneck is worn under a denim jacket for a smart casual outlook for dinner. Stick to turtles of natural color, cream, or of charcoal shade and wear them with any plum or black checkered trousers.
- Why It Works: The turtleneck brings a sophisticated feel and the worn denim jacket puts it in a casual feel so it has both. It is business-like and relaxed at the same time.
- Accessories: To complete this outfit, a leather watch and a simple chain would just do the magic.
3. Sweater + Plaid Pants + Loafers
For those cool autumn days slip on a thick sweater or a knitted jumper with your plaid pants. Wearing a solid, low-visibility colour (such as oatmeal, navy or forest green) of sweater will not clash with the pattern.
- Why It Works: Sweaters bring coziness, and casual wear, and loafers give the outfit a formal twist.
- Pro Tip: give your pants a slight fold at the bottom to reveal your loafers and use no lace socks for style.
Smart Casual Outfits with Plaid Pants
If you want to take it up a notch, there is a way of dressing down plaid pants and including them in smart casual wear. These outfits can be worn for date nights, business-casual days at the office or casual business or social occasions on the weekend.
4. Blazer + Plaid Pants + Dress Shirt
And carrying that same bag can turn your plaid pants into a smart-casual look with the help of a blazer. Coordinate a slimline single-breasted blazer wearing it over a dress shirt. The trouser should be matched with a blazer preferably in a plain and in a neutral shade as black, navy, or gray.
- Why It Works: It gives a formal structure to the outfit and the dress shirt maintains the formal look to the outfit. Just the right amount of contrast to the simplicity of the top half is delivered by the plaid pants.
- Footwear: This look is perfect in combination with a pair of brogues or timeless leather loafers.
5. Button-Down Shirt + Plaid Pants + Chelsea Boots
If you want to relax a bit and leave the blazer out of your outfit just wear a good fitted button down shirt. Sleeves to be rolled up for a more casual look. Huge shirts which are light in color which include white, light blue, light shades of colors within the pastel series.
- Why It Works: This particular top is semiformal, but not overly formal, and therefore it makes for a great wear to work, while Chelsea boots are quite elegant but not overly so.
- Color Tip: Light tone shirts go well with dark tone plaid pants and on the other end, dark tone shirts go well with light tone plaid pants.
6. Leather Jacket + Plaid Pants + Crewneck Sweater
If you are to combine the two styles, choose a black or brown leather jacket over a crewneck sweater. This matches well with monochrome or dark toned plaid pants, thus making your outfit a little rough around the edges.
- Why It Works: The leather jacket also gives a someway more rough and tough look, this cuts across the plaid pattern well making it to look more of an accidental style but one that is deliberate.
- Footwear: Try out leather boots or even high-tops for this look.
Formal Outfits with Plaid Pants
Don’t you doubt, they can also be worn on more formal occasions Are you in doubt, let me take you through some ways through which you can wear plaid pants for formal events. If worn appropriately they come in handy when wanting to incorporate those business or formal outfits in your closet without having to look overly flashy.
7. Suit Jacket + Plaid Pants + Dress Shoes
So, it is imperative to note that plaid pants fused with the outfit of well-tailored suit jacket can be considered business appropriate. Select a suit jacket in an appropriate color, probably a dark shade like navy or charcoal black blazer with white color collared shirt and a neat tie.
- Why It Works: The plaid pants makes the otherwise formal dress less boring, while the jacket gives it a tidier finish to make the overall look professional.
- Shoes: Keep the shoes formal and choose Oxfords or derbies so that you will look neat and professional.
8. Plaid Pants + Vest + Dress Shirt
To make the outfit less formal, it is advisable to wear a vest instead of the suit jacket. A three man suit with plaid trousers and with a jacket or a waistcoat in the same or different material can be modern but polite.
- Why It Works: Vests make the outfit more formal and solid colored dress shirt is used to balance against the plaid wear. This is ideal for occasions such as weddings or parties, when the full suit is not really appropriate.
- Tie or No Tie: Throw a good tie if you want to make it formal, otherwise, you can let your shirt remain open at the neck if you want it casual.
9. Turtleneck + Plaid Pants + Monk-Strap Shoes
To take the men’s formal wear into the modern age, replace the dress shirt with black or navy turtleneck. Best worn when paired with black or dark plaid pants in order to complete an understated, classy look.
- Why It Works: The turtleneck is trendy and sleek and paired with the plaid pants that hint at classic men’s wear. Monk-strap shoes complete the look with a tasteful ending.
- Pro Tip: Make sure the turtleneck is tight enough so as to reduce the thickness because the whole aim of this outfit is to be well fitted and tight.
Accessorizing Plaid Pants Outfits
Whilst blazers sustain all outfits, accessories define whether they are made or marred, such is the case of these plaid pants. Here’s how to accessorize wisely:
- Belts: Avoid flashy and brightly colored belts and wear those unconventional colors like blue, red, green etc. If the clothing attire you are going to wear is more formal than try to match the belt with the shoes.
- Watches: A genuine leather strap watch or a metal wrist watch suits the informal and the formal wear appropriately.
- Sunglasses: Aviators or Wayfarers help in making casual outfits somewhat trendy.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Full Potential of Plaid Pants
As a general rule, plaid pants can either help elevate your fashion sense or push it over the edge if you don’t style them correctly. They can be worn by anyone from a casual t-shirt to a formal suit jacket, they are very versatile and fashionable to any man out there. The guideline here is moderation—everything else you are wearing should be plain, solid, fitted and not draw attention to itself in the same way that the plaid pants will.
Whether it’s for business or for leisure, wearing plaid pants could be your perfect way on how to incorporate tradition and trend. As I have shown, you don’t have to worry about how to style plaid pants; the right mix will make you don them like a pro. So next time you are wearing a dress code that requires both fashion and flexibility and an addition of briskness maybe plaid pants should it be the piece you are looking for.
