Outfit Formula: Summer Plaid and Checks (2024)

Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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This isvery timely. I’m not wearing many patterns anymore, but my boss wore a checked dress yesterday. I noticed because I haven’t seen her wear it before now.

I’m on team warm weather plaids and checks. I consider plaids and checks to be both timeless and seasonless. I am picky about the fabric being appropriate for the seasons. Flannel tops are my favorites for the cooler months. Gingham and madras plaid are my favorites for summer. I do have a window pane plaid top in neutral shades that is one of my summer time favorites! Red plaid slip on Keds make my feet happy. My cream Burberry handbag is a frequent choice. I’m glad to be on team plaid!

I believe I am entirely consistent in having zero warm-weather plaids. Even in winter, I avoid that pattern on my torso. It just brings up all my body phobias of being chunky, lumbering, the opposite of graceful….

I am on Team spring and summer plaids and checks. Traditionally, I have worn checks and gingham in warm weather, plaids more in cold weather, but now I am more mixed on these. Most of my checked and plaid tops are long sleeved button downs, perfect for transitional weather and as a third piece or topper for summer air conditioning. I have four plaid bottoms and no paid or checked dresses, but several summer ones are stripes. I think of floral patterns when trying to add patterns, especially for warm weather, but they mix well with checks and plaids.
I love the pink plaid suit and would like one in orange or coral.

I think I have more summer plaids than winter, oddly enough. I tend to like checks more than plaids. In your examples above I find that I am drawn to the more feminine cuts, especially in the dresses. Maybe to offset the masculine feel of a plaid?

I am on the team! Not only did I just post plaid bermuda shorts but I will be receiving in a couple of weeks a blouse in the exact pattern of the purple and green blouse in the bottom center of your collection!

I’m not on team plaid/check at all. I prefer prints that gradually flow into each other instead of anything graphic.
I have worn a plaid shirt as a jacket in cold weather, and had a blanket scarf that I liked. I don’t mind the more subtle glen plaids like your pantsuit, but of course for cold weather only.

I do love a nice plaid/checked fabric! The Shop Bop checked camp shirt is super cute. In fact, I think I love all of these!

I love the look, but presently own only a few summer plaids and checks items: a 27 (!) years old black&white midi wrap-around skirt, a blue&white buttonfront shirt, and a blue&white bucket hat.

YAY! I like plaids all year, especially the happy pink or rainbow madras plaids for spring and summer.

Lovely collection! Looking at my wardrobe, I seem to be a more stripes and dots kind of gal…but I am on a lazy hunt for a blue and white check ( large pattern) shirt.

Will probably sit this one out.

After having a life long aversion to plaid, something has shifted and I am now strongly drawn to it. I’m on board with the overshirt idea, especially, for the sun protection and as an easy way to add new colors and pattern to existing items. Very much enjoying perusing all these cheery and fun examples, though, thank you!

I don’t bat for the plaid-n-check team, but it’s always fun to see what others are wearing. I live in a very warm climate and we don’t see much plaid around here in summer. Gingham checks seem to be around, though. It always makes me think of picnics!

Xtabay, and tablecloths

Diana, fun! Cute with your pink sneakers. I hope we see the Vince dress on the forum

I am a big fan of plaids & checks, and wear them in all seasons. Most of the pieces appropriate for summer are gingham – it is the most summery check IMO. I have several plaid suits, and majority can be worn across various seasons, including summer, specially with AC inside. This has just reminded me that I need to go to the tailor to hem some pants – I have a summer weight linen suit in off-white with black windowpane, but the pants are too long on me.
I like all the shown formulas and would wear them all (have already done so probably). I do like to pattern mix floral blouse with plaid suits. It is always a fun mini challenge to find the blouse in the right colors, and it is not always successful.
I am meeting some friends for brunch tomorrow morning and will probably wear a gingham dress, inspired by this post.

I love plaid, and ordered a checked cotton shirt a few days ago. I was interested in one of the dresses, the short sleeve linen midi dress, but my size is sold out.

I love that pink plaid suit. Bright and happy! My summer uniform once upon a time was plaid sheath dresses. It’s become gingham fit and flare dresses… does gingham count as a check? If not, I have a number of plaid shirts

Yay to plaid and checks

Angie, I LOVE your turquoise/orange plaid pants. They’re both subtle and unique, apparently qualities I’d want in a plaid.

I love madras plaid for summer, although I haven’t owned any for years. I have i lightweight check shirt that I haven’t worn in a couple of years…this is a great reminder to pull it out and wear it.

Sign me up for the summer dresses. I like the preppy versions.

I like plaids and checks, but don’t have many in my wardrobe. I can think of one summer blouse I have that is a mixed plaid and check.

Oh yezzzz!!! I adore plaids year round too! And that pink suit is divine!!

I’m fussy with plaids – I like them to meet properly at the seams, and have careful piecing and placement of details, like pockets. At the moment, I own one plaid top (flannel shirt) and one plaid bottom (wide leg trousers). I still think of a crinkly plaid cotton summer dress in an olive, navy, brown, and cream plaid that I had 20+ years ago. It might have been seersucker. A perfect easy care summer dress for a hot day.

I love gingham and madras for the summer!

I love plaid and gingham and have some summer plaid dresses. The pink Smyth suit is fabulous!

Angie, you did not dream it, but at the moment all my checks/plaids are in winter fabrications.

I like plaids but rarely wear them. I own one plaid shirt and wear it like outfit #1.