A few weeks ago we blogged about fall 2018 trends you’ll want to invest in. This week Kimberly is sharing what trend she is taking to her closet and how she is incorporating it in with what she already owns.

Find a Piece You Love

Last year winter I borrowed a plaid jacket from Rent the Runway to style our Beret Story and fell in love with the ba&sh Clock Coat but not the $695 price tag. Having a plaid wool coat not only added a layer of warmth but the playful print created a new set of combinations to my neutral wardrobe.

I added a plaid coat to my shopping list* and when I found a menswear inspired wool Zara coat at a French Consignment party over the summer for $25 I snatched it up. I knew come fall it would fit into my wardrobe perfectly and add a bit of freshness at a low cost.

The cut of the coat is longer and slenderizing, hitting me at just above the knee so layering underneath is easy. Many plaid jackets this year hit at the high hip which for women is often their widest spot. So, pay attention to cut, scale or print and direction for the most flattering look.

This year the Glen plaid or Prince of Wales Check is the plaid of choice. If you are petite, a small scale vertical print plaid (like the Glen Plaid) will work better on you than a large scale horizontal. If you are tall or plus size look for larger scale plaids or houndstooth. Unsure about how your plaid of choice reads? Take a selfie in the dressing room! The photo will give fast feedback on if the scale works for you.

*ProTip: Throughout the year I make a rough wardrobe shopping list and rank items in priority order from “need” to “like to have” by quarter and compare it to my budget. Having a mindful shopping list will help keep impulse purchases down and closet overflow in check.

Add Mix and Match Basics with a Twist

When wearing a printed jacket you can make the outfit all about the jacket or all about the ensemble. Because this jacket has an active print you can pair it with simple basics to showcase the details of the jacket and not detract from it. For this blog I decided to do exactly that, knowing that it would show up better on camera. However, I could have easily added a coordinating striped blouse or printed sweater to balance the power of the jacket. The trick is adding a coordinating print that is a different scale (larger or smaller than the scale of houndstooth fabric).

Pay attention to the details when selecting the right basic piece for you. I love the banded inverted collar on my Zara coat because it keeps the cut fresh and a little more modern. To mimic the modern feel I paired it with a basic camel turtleneck shell that is cut out on the back. Not only is this piece great for layering, it’s helpful during our Indian summers when a plaid coat is too warm midday and you still need to look put together. Similarly the side-zip Everlane pants add a small element of interest and half tucking the turtle neck keeps the outfit balanced and tailored.

ProTip: When building an ensemble think of it as an equation: one part interest and one part flow.

Compliment the look with Coordinating Accessories

Notice we did not title this section compliment the look with matching accessories! In fashion and certainly when creating compelling ensembles harmony does not mean every piece holds equal weight. Like art, any compelling look needs a focal point (or in this case piece—i.e. Plaid Coat) and a little unexpected tension.

I paired the coat with my trusty oxfords to jab at the menswear them. The open work of the shoe mimics the houndstooth print but reads neutral given the color. To add a little more pop I choose my new Cuyana bag in burgundy and my gold and black watch to add depth and keep the accessories tied to fall shades.

Stay Stylish,

K&M