Image courtesy of Tandya Stewart
Take on plaid with a whole new plot twist by re-imagining your own look this autumn season
With just a month until the tinsel starts twinkling and the bells of Christmas start ringing, it’s no wonder the world is mad for plaid. Again, you ask? Well, why not?
Most everyone may have a plaid piece in their closet. Whether print, woven or knit, it’s the trend that keeps creeping back into your wardrobe.
“There are some great plaid overcoats and duster coats around, and I love a pair of high waisted plaid trousers with a chic black rollneck,” says Natasha Slee, social media manager of Refinery29. A London College of Fashion alum, she has a waterfall of curls and a closet full of inspiration.
“I get inspired from lots of different places. My colleagues at Refinery29 for example – we’re a lovely bunch of mostly women and feel confident trying out looks in the office, being inspired by each other.”
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With a spice for life and unique flair, Slee pulls her inspiration from the streets.
“I love people watching, observing how others wear colours or layer. I have a light pink pair of Cos trousers from eBay that I wore with white but it felt a bit washed out for me. I saw a woman wearing the exact same pink but with a navy tone and it looked amazing. For me that was an “a-ha” moment. That pink and navy is now my favourite.”
But this colour combo queen is also a sustainable diva.
“I’ll wear clothes until they’re falling apart,” says Slee. “I have a sustainable wardrobe and I’m very into key pieces that tell a story. I don’t buy multiple versions of the same thing – one pair of boots have to go with everything without being boring. And I still have clothes I’ve worn since I was a teen. I bought a pair of black Calvin Klein jeans in a charity shop for £5 when I was 16. They’re still going strong.”
Her upcoming book, Planet Fashion, will be released April 7 of 2019, featuring 25 scenes of fashion history with illustrated scenes to capture the mood of that time. Slee believes we can stay true to our unique ourselves by listening to what we feel comfortable.
“It takes time. I spent years buying cheap clothing on a whim because it was the latest trend or I felt I needed something new. Now I know exactly what colours look good or what cuts suit me…when I go to a shop I don’t get overwhelmed by choice or sale prices and make shopping errors.”
And her inspiration?
“I get inspired by Pinterest. I have a winter style and summer style board and often find looks while researching for my fashion books. I like layered looks in tonal colours, blocks and playing with proportion. Earlier this year I was looking at a lot of linen clothes on Pinterest and I was inspired to buy some great linen jumpsuits.”
Historically, tartans have been used to denote clan kinship groups among the Scottish people. And, speaking of clans, the new AW 18 Versace campaign states: “This is Team Tartan, a family that stands together for equality, diversity and inclusivity, #theclansofversace root for their cause in unity.” Their image ad, perhaps the longest one to date, boasts of 54 models who are reinventing the classic tartan material.
And, also rocking the plaid look lately is starlet Dua Lipa. Like jumping out of the movie set of Clueless, Lipa recently killed the plaid game by wearing a youthful punk slash school-girl look for her Grammy Preview Cover Shoot with Post Malone and Ella Mai. The Versace purple pleated mini skirt and canary yellow tartan blazer matches the singers’ effortlessly bold, bright, and playful style.
But feeling the price tag? You can still stun in an eye catching mustard yellow. Try getting your girlboss on with this Tarrington mustard plaid coat by Shop Priceless.
Or, try updating your wardrobe with a check crop jumper by Boohoo for just £20.
Tandya Stewart is a blogger exemplifying her own style. She is rocking a blazer and trouser set by Loavies, featuring an earthy tone and tiny check print on her blog, Simply Tandya.
“I think there is something so empowering about a woman in a suit,” says Stewart. “A suit has always represented power and that women too, can be their own boss. Plaid is one of my favorite trends this season and can be worn as a coordinate, with a crop top, cable knit, or even as an accessory.”
Image courtesy of Tandya Stewart
And her favourite plaid piece she just can’t do without?
“My favorite plaid piece so far, is my suit set by Loavies,” says Stewart.
So if the suit fits, wear it. And as Slee suggests, suits should make you feel empowered.
“I think we can definitely trace the women’s suit back to Hillary Clinton, who was rarely seen without her block coloured pant suit on the presidential campaign trail,” says Slee. “In the 80s, women would wear suits with shoulder pads to take up space in the workplace on a par with men. I don’t think that’s the case anymore but a suit can make a woman feel ‘put together’ or smart, which in turn makes you feel confident, allowing you to focus on what you want to say. And if that suit is a bright pink or red, even better, I say.”
According to a WGSN report on trends for August 30, 2018, the colour forecast is focused on “large, bold scales, whether in primary brights or autumnal earth tones.”
And, speaking of colour schemes, Taylor Hanson is photographer who doesn’t exit her home without wearing her favourite shade.
“I’ve never walked out of the house without blue on me,” says Hanson. “For the last 8 years its been that way.”
With radiant eyes like a deep electric sky, Hanson has a vision. Her Instagram page is dotted in endless tones of blue, from her horses’ halter to the tint of her hair.
“I was in a store when I was about 12 years old and I saw a shirt that was a Tiffany blue colour that I thought was so pretty, and before I knew it, I went from doing my room to pretty much turning every item you could think of blue. It’s just something that makes me Taylor.”
On rocking the plaid trend, Hanson believes shirts are best.
“I also like wearing vests, they’re lots of fun. I think women can wear anything if they feel confident, they should just go for it.”
So, let’s all wear plaid, because you can play it well. Whether you’ve just dusted off your old pair or gotten those new plaid trousers, reinvent the look this season by making it all your own.
This post has been published by shiftLondon.org, a University of the Arts London student news website which you can also view HERE
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