21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (2024)

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (1)

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What do lumberjacks, Cher Horowitz from Clueless, and Rachel Green from Friends all have in common? Answer: a love of one of the most iconic prints out there. Plaid is a look that's been trendy for decades, mainly thanks to the one enduring, timeless plaid clothing item that'll truly never die — flannel shirts. They're comfortable, they come in a ton of different colors, and they've been worn with everything from denim to mini dresses since your mom was in high school. Need we say more?

Flannels aren't just for fall, either — don't sleep on plaid shirts when it comes to your spring and summer wardrobe. Throw one over your swimsuit on a beach day, tie one around your waist at a summer music festival, or make sure you don't freeze in your tank top under the blast of the A.C. in AP Bio with a flannel. They're a go-with-everything staple that can look punk, feminine, or totally (wonderfully) basic depending on how you style it.

Below, you'll find some genius ways to wear plaid clothing, inspired by some of the most stylish celebrities and street style stars on your IG feed.

Shacket Szn

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (3)

Make all of your Evermore album cover dreams come true in a flannel shacket that works year round. It's the easiest way to add a dash of plaid to your fave outfit.

Good American Neutral Plaid Shacket

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (4)

Good American Neutral Plaid Shacket

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A Pop of Plaid

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (5)

Think of this outfit formula like making your favorite sandwich, except instead of salami or Swiss cheese, you'll stick a flannel shirt between the layers of your monochrome outfit. Subtle, but effective.

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Lumister Oversized Flannel Plaid Shirt

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (6)

Lumister Oversized Flannel Plaid Shirt

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Tied Around Your Waist

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (7)

This one-second style hack that doubles as a belt will give a simple shirt dress some cool '90s flare. Finish with a bucket hat.

ZAFUL Flannel Plaid Shacket

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (8)

ZAFUL Flannel Plaid Shacket

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Underneath a Sweater

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (9)

Your usual collared-shirt-and-sweater combo is about to level up, hard. Just swap out the button-up for a flannel and a matching beanie.

Abercrombie & Fitch Relaxed Flannel Shirt

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (10)

Abercrombie & Fitch Relaxed Flannel Shirt

Utilitarian Vibes

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (11)

Have you ever put on an outfit and thought, "It's almost there, it just needs a little *oomph*"? Reach for an unexpected plaid shirt to fashion-ify your look.

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KevaMolly Plaid Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt in Yellow and Black

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (12)

KevaMolly Plaid Long Sleeve Flannel Shirt in Yellow and Black

With Your Favorite Leggings

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (13)

Is there literally anything leggings can't match with?! (The answer is no.) Throw on a boyfriend flannel, a pair of tube socks, and your absolute *freshest* sneakers.

Gap Flannel Big Shirt

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (14)

Gap Flannel Big Shirt

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With Statement Pants

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (15)

Plaid shirts are so easy to match, because they've go so many colors worked into their checks. Wear yours flowing over a pair of matching trousers.

CCTOO Plaid Flannel Lapel Button Down

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (16)

CCTOO Plaid Flannel Lapel Button Down

With a Surprisingly Girly Kick

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (17)

Powder pink plaid, like Vanessa's, gives her ripped jeans a sweet touch. Sling it around your waist for that extra dose of cool factor.

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NUOREEL Casual Plaid Soft Button Down Top

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (18)

NUOREEL Casual Plaid Soft Button Down Top

Knotted at the Center

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (19)

Turn your coziest flannel into a Going Out Top in two seconds, by tying it up in front. Then roll up the sleeves or, if you're feeling extra crafty, crop them with scissors.

OCHENTA Short Sleeve Plaid Button Down Shirt

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (20)

OCHENTA Short Sleeve Plaid Button Down Shirt

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Mixing Plaids

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (21)

If it's too cold for a thin flannel to be your top layer, grab a plaid coat. Don't be afraid to create visual interest with a pair of contrasting plaid pants.

MINKPINK Sloan Coat in Blue

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (22)

MINKPINK Sloan Coat in Blue

Now 29% Off

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (23)

Hannah Oh

Assistant Shopping Editor

Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (24)

Ann Wang

Ann Wang is a fashion editor and stylist at Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day. At Seventeen.com, she covers fashion and accessories and is obsessed with finding fabulous steals under $100 for savvy shoppers.

21 Creative Ways to Style Plaid Prints and Flannel Shirts All Year Round (2024)
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