Designers Pick Plaid
Plaid reemerges as a versatile, statement-making element in contemporary fashion, reflecting its adaptability and enduring appeal across various collections.
Model rocking a plaid jumpsuit at Acne Studios SS25 show at Paris Fashion Week. Images courtesy of Acne Studios, available at WWD. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Plaid has been a favorite for fashion weeks this season; the traditional pattern reappearing within designers' collections every few years but this season particularly, designers are choosing to make the pattern more of a statement piece rather than reducing it down to a vintage, 90s-grunge pattern. Where we normally associate plaid with fall and winter collections—which it has been appearing in a lot too during this season for fashion week—the timeless trend has also been making appearances on the spring/summer runways for designer brands, potentially not only being the pattern of the winter but will also soon be the pattern for spring and summer this year.
The versatile, genderless, and ageless aspect this pattern carries has been reappearing in fashion for years; the typically Vivienne Westwood and Burberry trademark design being embraced during this season of fashion weeks to add a sense of modernization to the traditional Scottish pattern while also showing that it works on any garment and accessory to add a statement or even a professional touch to a look.
Acne Studios main theme in their SS25 show in Paris was plaid, adding a modern touch to the classic pattern. Images courtesy of Acne Studios, available at WWD. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Acne Studios really stood out this season when it came to plaid, setting the standards high for the other designers who chose to incorporate the design in their collections too. Acne Studios has always been a Y2K inspired brand aimed to add modern, edgy touches to classic outfits, so using plaid in their collection was a no-brainer. The low-waisted bubble-style skirt added a quirky touch, paired with another color of plaid and polka dots to create a statement with the simple black top. This may have been Acne Studios’ take on the traditionally Scottish kilt mixed with an almost corporate touch. Business-chic is also the message that the plaid dress exerts, Acne Studios incorporating a structured feminine silhouette with the timeless bold pattern to create a statement and turn heads while also incorporating a traditional, feminine but exaggerated sweetheart neckline. Acne Studios spring/summer collection conveyed the pure versatility and dynamic nature of plaid and how it can be for any occasion—it is not a boring traditional pattern, it’s a statement.
Models at Thom Browne FW/25 proving plaid is back in fashion for his latest collection at NYFW. Image courtesy of Spencer Stovell, available at Office Magazine. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Thom Browne’s FW25 that closed New York Fashion Week certainly did not shy away from the plaid; from suits and oversized blazers to statement dresses and floor-length skirts, Browne’s latest collection told us the timelessness of plaid as well as the power of layering different colors and styles of plaid to create a head-turning look. The Scottish inspiration running through Thom Browne’s collection through the use of plaid while also taking British inspiration from the tweed paid homage to UK fashion, history, and design.
Models wearing Hilfiger’s take on the rising plaid trend in his SS25 collection at New York Fashion Week. Images courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger, available at Show Studio. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
However, the designer that embraced the power and versatility of plaid the most during NYFW in their SS/25 collection was Tommy Hilfiger. The diverse range of colors, the pairing of different plaid styles on top of the summer touch to a traditionally winter, grungy pattern added a classic and eye-opening touch to the classic design. Tommy Hilfiger has always been a ready-to-wear designer brand when it comes to the collections they produce and while Thom Browne and Acne Studios also embraced this ready-to-wear aspect, their takes on plaid were much more high fashion and statement pieces whereas Hilfiger has added an everyday, casual approach to the fashion week mix. With plaid being the overall theme on the spring/summer collection, Hilfiger reminded us, in addition to its effortless classic nature, that plaid can be for ANYONE, no matter what your stance on fashion is or whether you keep up with the latest trends, acknowledging those who maybe do not want to make a big statement but also want to incorporate plaid into their wardrobes this spring and/or summer.
Being from the UK, I personally love to see plaid amongst other UK-made and inspired designs appearing in this season’s fashion weeks; the versatility, stylish and underrated impact the pattern of plaid has on an outfit being underappreciated in the past apart from UK-based designers. Seeing the global appeal that plaid is having and how it is not just limited to UK designers—such as Burberry and Vivienne Westwood—and how it is being incorporated into mainstream, modern fashion is really exciting, making Scottish heritage and traditional fashion seen and shaped into many different ways to make a statement and form a chic, high fashion look.
